By Jim Clark

While on route to the Somerville Police Station last Thursday evening, police officers took notice of couple crossing a McGrath Hwy. intersection against a red light.

The officers in the vehicle reported that they had to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting the man and woman.

Deputy Chief Jim Lucia directs operations at a Second Alarm fire at 81 Mt. Vernon Street on January 23rd. – Courtesy of Somerville Fire Department.

A two-alarm fire heavily damaged a two-family home at 81 Mt. Vernon St. Thursday, Jan. 23, leaving it uninhabitable for its seven occupants.

The fire was reported by a tenant on  the third floor of the two-and-a-half-story home who heard the fire alarms go off and then  saw smoke. He was able to safely exit the building. The first alarm was sounded  at 9:26 a.m. followed soon after by a second alarm. Firefighters arrived to find  heavy fire conditions issuing from several first-floor windows.

Lt. Tom Tierney opens up the roof at 81 Mt. Vernon Street to get ahead of fire spreading in the roof area.

All Somerville  apparatus responded along with additional companies from Boston and Cambridge Damage is estimated to be in excess of $100,000. The fire is presently  under investigation but is not deemed to be suspicious.

By Mike Browne

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

My passion for history and nostalgia began over 20 years ago while I was dating (my now wife) AnnMarie.

Her family home (The Carey’s) was one of the warmest most inviting homes I had ever been invited into. Her mom always seemed to have something baking in the oven and the family dog (Snuggles) was always waiting for you at the door with her tail wagging.

The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers’ Somerville office is located at 92 Union Square.

The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) has expanded its operating hours and services at its newly remodeled Somerville office at 92 Union Square.  The new hours are noon to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays.

By Jim Clark

A report of a possible fight in progress at a Hudson St. residence brought police to the scene on Friday morning.

Arriving officers found a female, later identified as Lauren Vowells, 25, of Salem, standing on the front porch of the residence. Officers noted that she appeared to be bleeding from her lip, and when questioned she reportedly told them that she had been arguing with her boyfriend.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

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

To be sure that all property owners fully understand this year’s property assessments, I’m handing over my usual op-ed space to our Assessors to answer some basic questions. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Assessors Office at 617-625-6600 ext. 3100 or assessing@somervillema.gov, or visit their page on the city website at www.somervillema.gov.

Theatre@First takes the stage at the Davis Square Theatre
*

Theatre@First kicks off its 10th season in a new venue with Caryl Churchill’s inspiring and entertaining play, Top Girls, at the Davis Square Theatre, January 23–February 1.

As relevant today as when it was written in 1982, Top Girls celebrates the choices required to reach the top. Featuring the famous dinner-party scene with extraordinary women of history and legend, this acute and funny script ranges from the 9th century to modern office politics. Theatre@First is proud to celebrate playwright Caryl Churchill’s 75th birthday year with her most famous, groundbreaking work.

Snow Emergency lifted effective 8 a.m. Wed., Jan. 22

The parking ban is lifted immediately.