The Somerville News Blog

Train Service Shut Down Due to Accident

Man Struck By Train

By Allisence Y. Chang and George P. Hassett

    A 21-year-old man was struck by a train 100 yards into the Alewife station tunnel today, said MBTA spokesperson Joseph D. Pesaturo.

   The accident forced the MBTA to shut down train service in Davis Square from 10:40 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Commuters took shuttle buses to Harvard Square to continue their train rides, he said.

     The man, whose identity was not released by MBTA officials, survived and was taken to Beth Israel hospital and is in stable condition.

     "He is alert and aware of his situation," said Pesaturo.

Local Man Convicted of First Degree Murder

Local Man Convicted of First Degree Murder

      A Somerville man was convicted this week in the fatal shooting of a 29 year old father of two in the parking lot of a Revere nightclub.

      Ludner Imbert was found guilty of first degree murder, attempted murder and firearm possession June 27 after two days of jury deliberations.

      Prosecutors said the 25-year old Imbert shot Vaughn Skinner Jr. outside the Lion's Den nightclub April 3, 2004 after Skinner accidentally stepped on the toes of one of Imbert's friends outside the club.

      Developing...

Medford Police Patrolmen's Association Endorses Michael J. Callahan For State Senate

Medford Police Patrolmen's Association endorses Callahan for state Senator

By George P. Hassett

     The Medford Police Patrolmen's Association today announced its endorsement in the August 30th special election for the late Charles E. Shannon's 2nd Middlesex Senate District seat.

      The labor organization said they gave its support to Michael J. Callahan because of Callahan's commitment to protecting worker bargaining rights and pension benefits.

      "Michael is a dedicated public servant who has represented the people of Medford with skill and integrity. His record of achievement on the Consumer Advisory Commission and the Massachusetts Governor's Council doesn't just tell me it shows me that he is the right guy for the job," said Harry MacGilvray, President of the 90 member Police Patrolmen's Association.

       Callahan said he reacted with pleasure and pride when he heard the news.

       "I am very pleased to receive this important endorsement from the Medford Police Patrolmen's Association. Having a well-trained, well-educated and solidly-equipped police department is a top priority for me. It keeps officers safe and it keeps the community safe," he said.

Callahan Picks Up NAGE Endorsement

By George P. Hassett

       The National Association of Government Employees is proud to announce it has endorsed Michael J. Callahan for state Senator of the 2nd Middlesex District of Massachusetts. NAGE represents more than 45,000 workers nationwide, including state and federal employees, court personnel, public safety workers and EMTs and paramedics.

         "He's the right man for the job. Michael Callahan has worked on behalf of the public good all his life. He understands the needs and concerns of public sector workers and I am confident that he will skillfully represent those needs and concerns as senator," said David J. Holway, national President of NAGE.

          Callahan said he was pleased to get the endorsement and he hopes it will help put him in a position to assist working families.

           "I am very honored to get the endorsement of NAGE. I look forward to working with NAGE to address the issues that affect working families, such as protecting workers' rights, increasing the minimum wage and fighting for affordable health care for all residents," he said.

          

Editor Neil W. McCabe Resigns

Editor Neil W. McCabe Resigns

Prospect Hill Publishing is sad to announce that Neil W. McCabe has tendered his resignation and decided to move on to other ventures. We wish him the best of luck.

The owners, Prospect HIll Publishing, are pleased to announce the new editor -- George P. Hassett. George has been with the paper on and off for nearly two years and is familiar with the Somerville scene.  He is excited about the challenges ahead.

Casey and Barrios at June 24th Contributor's Meeting

Casey and Barrios Speak at June 24th Contributor's Meeting

State Representative Paul Casey, candidate for State Senate in the upcoming special election to fill the late Senator Charlie Shannon’s seat, met with The Somerville News on Friday, June 24^th at the weekly contributor’s meeting.  He talked about his reasons for running for the open seat and his plans to advocate for the citizens of the district.

Also present at the contributor’s meeting was State Senator Jarrett Barrios, who spoke about his intentions to run for Middlesex District Attorney next year.

Full story to be included in the Wednesday, June 29^th issue of The Somerville News.

A Movie Review by Kimberley D. Rizzo

Kung Fu Hustle           
            
Remember when “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” came out, and everyone was amazed by how stunningly beautiful today’s technology had made martial arts films? Did you see the following “Hero” or “House of Flying Daggers?”

Maybe you never paid attention. Or the love stories were too sappy for your taste, or you hate subtitles. Well, it’s time to stop making excuses, because Stephen Chow’s hilarious “Kung Fu Hustle,” is showing this week at the Somerville Theatre, and you can’t miss it.

Statement by State Rep. Patricia D. Jehlen

To the Editor:

I was surprised and upset to read in the News a quote from me stating Senator Shannon had asked me to run for his seat if something happened to him. Regardless of what was attributed to me, I can state unequivocally that I never had a conversation with Senator Shannon where he suggested I run for his seat.

Over the past several years, there were occasionally rumors that the Senator would retire or not run for re-election. Each time, some people discussed their own possible candidacies, and some people asked me if I would run. I never participated in such speculation, because I hoped, prayed, and expected that the Senator would continue to serve in good health. Senator Shannon also, I believe, expected to continue serving, and never discussed any ideas about succession with me.

I am sorry for any misunderstanding that may have occurred.

Pat Jehlen

[This will also run in the June 29 edition of The Somerville News.]

Jehlen garners 96% of vote to secure PDS nod

by Ariel Burch

The organization of city Democrats, which seeks to hold its party’s elected officials to the party’s platform, endorsed State Rep. Patricia D. Jehlen at its endorsement forum June 15 at the VNA home at 259 Lowell St. for the special state Senate race. 

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville invited all candidates for the Democratic nomination for the 2nd Middlesex District seat, left vacant by the passing of Charles E. Shannon Jr., said Todd Kaplan, the organization’s endorsement chairman.

Somerville Stories, Illustrated by John A. Walsh

[Double click on image to enlarge]

Progressive Talk 1200/1430 AM joins The Somerville News in Aug. 10 candidates forum

A forum for the five state Senate candidates in hopes of winning the seat left vacant by the late Charles E. Shannon, Jr. will be held 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at Davis Square's Somerville Theatre.

The Somerville News will be co-hosting the event with area's local Progressive Talk radio 1200/1430 AM.

The participants will be: Alderman-at-Large William A. White, Jr, Govenor's Councilor Michael J. Callahan, State Rep. Paul C. Casey, D-Somerville, State Rep. Patricia D. Jehlen, D-Somerville, Attorney Joseph K. Mackey.

City woman becomes one of Wellesley College's newest alumna

by Christopher H. Roberts

A Somerville woman June 3 was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College

"I'm not sure what's next," said newly-graduated Lila G. Durnan, of Kingston Street.

Teacher Wins Grant to Travel to Vietnam; Leaves June 23

by Christopher H. Roberts

A Somerville-based Boston public school teacher has won a grant for summer travel to Southeast Asia in order to bolster her classroom teaching.

"I want to hear the stories from Vietnamese voices to complement the stories that I know," said Bethany Wood, who teaches American literature of the Vietnam conflict as part of her 11th grade curriculum at Another Course to College in Brighton.

Lafuente: I will not run against Curtatone this year

Somerville businessman Tony Lafuente, who lost to Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone in the 2003 mayoral race told The Somerville News he will not pull papers today to run in 2005.

Lafuente said he was amused by the rumors that he would challenge the mayor, but would honor his personal pledge to Curtatone that he give the mayor time to implement his programs.

Sullivan takes on O'Donovan

John L. Sullivan launches his challenge against incumbent Ward 5 Alderman Sean T. O'Donovan tonight at the Old Magoun Saloon in Magoun Square. The campaign kick-off begins at 7 p.m.

Glines announces alderman-at-large bid

A Somerville attorney and long-time resident announced today he has pulled papers for one of the city's alderman-at-large seats.

"This has been a hectic, but exciting day," said Stephen A. Glines Jr. "But, I am confirming running for alderman-at-large."

Developing...

Sister Margaret retires from St. Anthony's

Somerville Community Access Television wins national award

Somerville Community Access Television, the public access TV station for Somerville, won the prestigious 2005 Hometown Video Festival award for Overall Excellence.

The annual contest is run by the International Alliance for Community Media, and the award will be presented at the national conference in Monterrey, Calif. in July, said Wendy Blom, SCAT's executive director.

The award recognizes SCAT's TV programming  and the quality of the organization, including its media training program and its committment to the community.  SCAT won the award in its budget category, and two other Massachusetts public access centers, Boston and Shrewsbury, won in the other two budget categories, she said.

"SCAT stands out because of the diversity of its programming which reflects the diversity of community itself.  It also makes youth media training a top priority, with classes in the Somerville Schools' 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and the SAYMedia! media club at SCAT," she said.

Somerville Youth Wins Boston College High School Honors

Jean E. Santos ’08 of Somerville achieved High Honors for the fourth quarter at Boston College High School. For High Honors a student must have at least a 3.8 quality point average.

Boston College High School is a Jesuit, Catholic, college-preparatory school for young men founded in 1863. The school enrolls approximately 1300 students from some 80 communities in eastern Massachusetts.

City bird watchers celebrate Biodiversity Days

by Allisence Y. Chang

An experienced bird watcher and member of the Somerville Conservation Commission volunteered to lead a family bird watch Saturday morning as part of a promotion of the state-wide environmental consciousness week, Biodiversity Days.

“The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions uses Biodiversity Days to document the diversity of plant and animal species in the Commonwealth,” said Michael A. Fagger, leader of the hike along the Mystic River.