Safety improvements for the section of Broadway between Winchester Street and Central Street are currently in the designing stages. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

Project aims to improve safety on Broadway and reimagine intersection  

More than 500 community members have shared their perspectives on the segment of Broadway that runs through Somerville’s Magoun Square—among the feedback were concerns about long crossings, congestion, speeding, red light running, and more.   

In a daring blend of illusion, optimism, and extremely casual risk assessment, local magician and theatrical phenomenon, Uncle Yak, will ride a bicycle blindfolded through Davis Square, starting and ending in front of The Rockwell theater. The audacious feat will announce his upcoming appearance in the Boston Fringe Festival and promote his show, Uncle Yak and his Magic Comeback. But this is not merely a stunt. It is an experiment in collective belief, performance art, eco-friendly transportation, and cardiovascular exercise.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Imagine, you’ve just received an autism diagnosis for your child.

The panic sets in. What kind of life will they have? Is it my fault? What can I do? Boom- your life has changed! You forget who your child is without this label. You feel like you’re drowning.

The Somerville Fire Department responded to a building fire at 480 Columbia Street at 5:44 a.m. Thursday. The building is a vacant, one- and two-story warehouse formerly occupied by Nissenbaum’s Auto Parts.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Today some concert tickets cost thousands of dollars. Back in the day I think I paid between seven and $10 for concerts and sometimes even less. Around 1970 I saw Queen open up for Mott the Hoople (All The Young Dudes) at The Orpheum Theatre.

The Patriots’ Day Colonial Fair will take place on Monday, April 20, from at Foss Park in Somerville. Participants and attendees enjoyed History In The Park for the 250th Patriots’ Day Commemoration. Featured attractions included colonial games and activities, delicious refreshments, and a chance to greet Paul Revere. Presented in collaboration with the City of Somerville. — Photos by Claudia Ferro

Somerville Councilor at Large and Vice President, Will Mbah, and his family visited Medford’s Patriots Day celebration before heading to Foss Park on Monday. The Medford community gathered at Medford City Hall for a Sarah Bradlee Fulton Statue Dedication & Ceremony. The dedication honored Sarah Bradlee Fulton, known as the “Mother of the Boston Tea Party” for her role in the 1773 protest and other Revolutionary War contributions.

Chief Assessor & Chairman of the Board Francis J. Golden, Director of Finance/Auditor Ed Bean, and Budget Director Mike Mastrobuoni presented FY27 budget outlook at City Hall.

By Harry Kane

A number of factors, like inflation and limits on local tax increases, have led to a “perfect storm” for many municipalities, but Somerville’s Finance Director Ed Bean said there will be “limited disruption of our services” during a Fiscal Year 2027 budget outlook presentation.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Erika Uyterhoeven, State Representative,27th Middlesex,
candidate for 2nd Middlesex State Senate

As construction season begins and we all start dodging the potholes that winter left behind, I want to share some good news and some numbers that have been weighing on me. Last week, the House voted on a $2.2 billion transportation bond bill that includes a historic increase to the Chapter 90 program, which is how the state pays to fix your roads, bridges, and other transportation projects.

Zoning amendments proposed by Attorney William A. White, Jr., address affordability and transparency concerns regarding backyard cottages and backyard lot splits.

By The Times Staff

Attorney William A. White, Jr., who served 24 years on the Somerville City Council, has formally proposed four zoning text amendments to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance (SZO) to address concerns of affordability and transparency regarding backyard cottages and backyard lot splits.