The Somerville News Blog

Woman injured on icy sidewalk

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Wednesday 4:45 p.m. Somerville Fire Engine7 and Police cruiser 185 assist and treat a 24 year old female who slipped and fell on the ice in front of 514 Broadway. The victim was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with minor injuries.

Hotel approval process leaves unanswered questions

Pizza Ring, the restaurant operated by the owner of 371 Beacon St. ~Photo by Tom Nash By Tom Nash City officials admitted this week a special permit application for a contentious hotel project nearing final approval is missing basic information about the developer's identity and lacks any mention of the property's lingering environmental issues. While the city says the omissions will not hinder the project's progress before the Zoning Board of Appeals, which meets tonight, a recently organized advocacy group, Somerville Residents for Sensible Development, says it should. Among a group of ordinances the group submitted to the Board of Aldermen last week is a measure calling for full disclosure of those involved in a development, to keep city officials from hiding their identities while profiting from projects they have a stake in. In the case of 371 Beacon St., a 35-room hotel and restaurant proposal which has been opposed by neighbors for more than a year, no city officials appear involved. But exactly who is responsible for or benefiting from the possible development remains unclear; the application lacks a signature from any party. City officials maintain it doesn't matter.

Newstalk for January 20

Another special election coming up - seems like we are having a major run on "special elections" - this one to fill the vacant Senatorial seat that was held by Anthony Galluccio. We hear that former resident Mike Albano, son of former Senator Sal, is running. Mike is a small business owner in the Back Bay and has lived in Chelsea for several years and serves on the Planning Board there. We hear that Sal DiDominico, a current Everett Councilor and chief aide to Galluccio, is running. But still undecided is our own Maryann Heuston, who serves as Alderman in Ward 2 here. She is very popular and looks like she and Margie Decker, a City Councilor in Cambridge would be the only two women running so far. Time will tell, but there could be a huge selection of candidates running for the seat.

The View From Prospect Hill for January 20

Scott Brown wins the special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by the late Senator Ted Kennedy. Following the race between Brown and Coakley this past week, it wasn't a big surprise - was it? The Coakley campaign turned decidedly desperate, dirty and more reliant on big names like President Obama at the last moment in an effort to pull out all the stops, only to fall 5 points short in the end. Scott Brown can look back on the last couple of months and know that it was his own personal work ethic that won out in the end. One can assume that most political analysts will probably declare that Scott Brown was in the middle of the "perfect storm" politically on Tuesday. They would be right.

Somerville unites around Haitian community

The Haitian Coalition of Somerville thanking the audience at a vigil hosted by the city on Monday. Community groups from across the city met with residents to discuss relief efforts at the Healey School on Friday, Jan. 15. ~Photos by Tom Nash By Tom Nash Two days after an earthquake left Haiti in ruins, Somerville High School student Daphne Juleus stood in the frozen darkness outside the school's gym. When the moment was right, dozens of her peers lit candles and began singing songs dedicated to those suffering. Juleus, a senior in the nursing assistant program, had already begun leading an effort to raise funds for the Red Cross, but felt the power of the vigil was equally important. She had not heard from several relatives, and had no way of reaching them.

Garden plans are growing in Clarendon Hill

The Somerville Housing Authority has granted residents at the Clarendon Hill housing development land and permission to plant a community garden. ~Photo by Barak Sered/courtesy of the Clarendon Hill Garden Committee By Ashley Taylor The Somerville Housing Authority has granted residents at the Clarendon Hill housing development land and permission to plant a community garden. Last Tuesday night, January 12, the Clarendon Hill Garden Committee held a meeting in order to inform residents about plans for a garden and get more people involved. Attending were Lisa Brukilacchio, director of the Somerville Community Health Agenda, who first proposed the community garden, Rachel Bedick, the community organizer who got the project going, Tai Dinnan, the Gardens Coordinator from Groundwork Somerville who provided gardening consultation, and Jocelyn Scott, Bing Wei, Clifford Pitts, and Isabel Alverez, Clarendon Hill residents and members of the Garden Committee who gathered resident support for the garden project in the form of a 120-signature petition. About 10 residents new to the garden project came to the meeting, and several of them signed up to join the Garden Committee.

Can't we all just get Along?

Jimmy Del Ponte On The Silly Side (The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.) I am a proud citizen of Somerville. Sometimes I feel like I am a member of an elite group of lifelong 'Villens (50 years in the same house, 56 years in Somerville) who keep a watchful eye on things around the city in the course of my day. I am the guy who screams "slow down" whenever a car is speeding. I yell at the law breakers who whizz down Raymond Avenue the wrong way between 2pm and 3pm when it becomes a one way for the safety of the West Somerville Neighborhood School students and their families. And (you know who you are) why do you gun it and speed up Raymond Ave after you get your kids? There may be still be people trying to cross the street as you are doing 45 in a school zone. Believe me, we are all very impressed at the speed of your vehicle!

Local growers have showcase

Somerville residents were encouraged from all representatives in this so-named “Farm Share Fair” to buy a portion of their farms. ~Photo by Martin Levenson By Martin Levenson Somerville Public Library's main branch hosted an event last Monday to display and advertise some Massachusetts farms which specialize in organic vegetables. The idea of the event was to get Somerville residents interested in buying a Community Supported Agriculture share (CSA share) which allows city dwellers here in Somerville to have fresh vegetables from local farms. At the same time many that already have shares, picked up their crops at this event.

The spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King lives on: Somerville's tolerance and social justice for all

By Julia Fairclough

Martin Luther King day symbolizes striving to be a better person, to be tolerant of others, and to treat everyone with fairness, said Congressman Michael Capuano on Monday during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration at Somerville High School.

One election ends and a new one is beginning

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Assistant Middlesex Register of Probate James M. Gondolfe getting a early head start standing out campaigning for Worcester County Sheriff Guy Glodis who is in the run for state auditor. If the sheriff runs for auditor, State Rep Lewis G Evangelidis, R-Holden, State Rep Vincent A. Pedone, D-Worcester, and Governor's Councilor Thomas J. Foley have all said they will consider running for sheriff.

Cambridge robbery suspect being sought in Somerville

By William Tauro Cambridge, Transit & Somerville Police officers are looking for a suspect that attempted to rob the Thistle & Shamrock Convenience Store located at 62 Walden Street in Cambridge Tuesday evening at 8:20pm. The store was held up by a masked man who allegedly claimed to have a gun but never showed it and also allegedly threatened to shoot the store clerk if he didn't cooperate. But when the clerk attempted to hand over the money, the culprit ran from the scene without the cash. The suspect fled on foot towards Massachusetts Avenue at Porter Square. Somerville and Transit Police were waiting at Davis Square T-Station in Somerville stopping all trains and suspects that fit the alleged robber's description on the subway's platform. The alleged suspect is described as a black male, 18-20 years old, wearing all black clothing including a black hooded sweatshirt. The case is under investigation.

Republican Scott Brown to become the state's next United States senator

Republican Scott Brown has defeated Martha Coakley. Somerville unofficial votes. 57 percent turnout Martha Coakley 16,965 Scott Brown 5,463

Sex crime suspect being sought by police

By William Tauro Cambridge and MBTA Police are searching for this suspect who may be responsible for four sex crimes recently near a subway station in Cambridge. Two women were allegedly grabbed from behind by this man in Central Square Wednesday evening after leaving a subway station. The man is also suspected of exposing himself on an MBTA bus in Boston. Cambridge Police and MBTA Transit Police have released this photo of the suspect. Police describe the man as a clean-shaved black male, between 18 and 24 years old, 5' 5" - 5' 7" tall believed to be wearing a white puffy jacket and black knit cap. Any information on the suspect call Cambridge Police at 617-349-3370 or MBTA Transit Police at 617-222-1050.

Martha Coakley in Somerville

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Martha Coakley made a few last minute campaign stops in Somerville Sunday evening to rally up some additional support. One stop where she said a few words to supporters was at a crowded office of Alderman Jack Connolly, Wedgwood-Crane & Connolly, located at 19 College Avenue, before making other campaign stops in Davis Square.

Scott Brown is endorsed by Cambridge officers who Obama said "acted stupidly"

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Even though Martha Coakley's husband is a retired Cambridge police officer, it wasn't enough to persuade this police department in their endorsement. The members of the Cambridge Police Patrol Officers Association voted to endorse State Senator Scott Brown as our next United States Senator in Tuesday's election against Attorney General Martha Coakley. CPSOA's President released the following letter today:

Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebrations Set for Jan. 18

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Director of the Office of Commissions Sonja Darai, and the Somerville Human Rights Commission announced that the City will hold its annual celebration in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 18 in the Somerville High School auditorium, 81 Highland Ave., beginning at 10a.m. The ceremony will include a keynote address by Assistant Director of Peace and Justice Studies at Tufts University, Professor Dale Bryan, as well as award presentations to a community member and community organization for excellence in community service. "Dr. King left a lasting legacy of hope, civic pride, and peace, and as a community we strive to uphold and continue that legacy, particularly by coming together in his memory each year," Mayor Curtatone said. "Today, we are lucky to enjoy some of the most fundamental liberties for all individuals, and there is no better way to celebrate than as a community on this important day. We are also lucky to have some of the most dedicated community partners in Somerville, and I look forward to honoring two such partners at the event on Monday."

Documentary shows what it's like to be disabled through a child's eyes

“Labeled Disabled” is a springboard for conversation By Julia Fairclough "What happened to that person?" "Why are they in a wheelchair?" your child may ask. Some parents have a hard time answering that question, and explaining what entails a disability.

Damage control

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Friday evening, hours after news reports of falling concrete chunks landing on the ground from the aging McGrath Highway overpass, contracted work crews begin preventive maintenance repairs by chiseling away lose concrete sections from the highway's corroded sides. The Somerville News first reported about the condition of the bridge and the possible public safety issue that it poses to passing motorist as well as to pedestrians early last year, again two weeks ago and again earlier this morning when concrete sections fell to the ground missing a bridge inspector below who happened to be on location inspecting the overpass.

Somerville fire units dispatched to Union Square

By William Tauro

Somerville Fire Department units Ladder1 and Engine3 were dispatched to a call at the rear of 9 Union Square in Somerville Friday 3:15pm. The fire department determined that the call was caused by a sprinkler head activation in the rear of the building. Somerville fire notified the buildings owner and later cleared the scene after all was secured.

Large pieces fall from McGrath Highway overpass

~Photos by William Tauro Traffic may soon be re-routed By William Tauro A bridge inspector was forced to dive out of the way of falling pieces of the McGrath Highway overpass this morning, with a decision about whether to close the structure to traffic possibly coming soon. Inspector Nate Blake told a News reporter he was standing under a damaged section of the bridge when he heard pieces of the structure crumble and fall just next to where he was standing.