By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

Taking a closer look at notable city data – and interesting numbers.

15% fewer crashes, but…:

In 2017, 15% fewer crashes were reported on city-owned roadways, which was a marked decline from the previous year. By the numbers: there were 636 crashes in 2016 and 538 in 2017, or 98 fewer crashes this year. But while any decrease is encouraging, it is still early to draw any certain conclusions from this drop. Crash reports tend fluctuate year-to-year. The 2017 total also follows a spike in accidents in 2015 and 2016. So we need to continue to monitor this over the long-term. We also can’t allow ourselves to settle for the old standard of simply striving to decrease crashes overall. We also need to eliminate the kinds of crashes that do the most harm. This will be no simple task, but it’s possible.

— Freshman photos by Nick Sturniolo

Somerville High School Girls Basketball hosted Malden on Tuesday, winning each game played. The Girls Freshman team won with a final score of 37–15. Junior Varsity prevailed with an impressive 48–37 total, and the Varsity team edged out Malden 47-45. This win was Varsity’s fourth win in a row.

Gerald Saint- Fleming of Somerville January 23, 2018. Beloved husband of 41yrs to Mary (Crotty) Fleming.

Loving father of Michael Fleming and his wife Jillian of Sudbury and Katey Fleming of Somerville. Dear brother of Paul and Bette Fleming and the late William “Bill” Fleming. Cherished grandfather of Parker, Spencer and Charley.

There just might be a boom in store for the local economy, as Amazon has announced that the Greater Boston area – including Somerville – is on their short list of contenders for their second headquarters.

By Jim Clark

Last Thursday, it was announced that Amazon had winnowed down its candidates for hosting their second headquarters from 238 to a final 20, with the Boston Metro area – which includes Somerville – making the cut.

Both Boston and Somerville made individual proposals to the online retail giant, and both ended up among the 20 contenders set to be scrutinized for the final phase of site selection. Amazon has announced that it will be making that final decision later this year.

The Co-Incidence Festival’s Artist in Residence, Joachim Eckl, whose performance piece “Sound Bridges” can be enjoyed in Union Square daily through this Friday.

By Tom Rose

From the clink of a spoon to the roar of a fire engine, the human ear picks up millions of sounds a day, but it takes an experimental mind to call these various sonic vibrations music. And this week in Somerville, at the Washington Street Art Center, a group of such curious minds has gathered to do just that.

Volunteers such as Cristina Ruiz and Sandra Lee from last year’s event will be at the ready, helping to make the 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off a raging success.

By Emily Blackwood

When Respond Inc. was founded in 1974, domestic violence didn’t exist in the judicial system.

“Back then they didn’t even call it domestic violence,” said Respond Inc.’s Chief Programs Officer Amanda Reichmuth. “It was within your rights to abuse your spouse.”

Everyone is invited to the next Somerville Democratic City Committee General Meeting next Tuesday, January 30, 7:00 p.m. at the Somerville High School Library, 81 Highland Ave. With special guest speakers: Jimmy Tingle, Candidate for Lt. Governor, William Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth; and Jeremiah Thompson, Field Director for the Campaign to Re-Elect Senator Elizabeth Warren. All are welcome.

By Mario Sousa

Suffolk Construction has recently accepted Emily Sabatino and Jennifer Cremone as interns for the renovation of the new high school.

These two Somerville High School seniors from the Residential Carpentry program will be pursuing their career interests in Construction Management through this internship for the remainder of the year.

Eagle Feathers #145 – Somerville – Her Story

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Through the years, much has been said about the heroic men who touched or stirred the hills of Somerville.

It’s a frustrating situation. The mere fact that one has to dig out after a whopper of a snowstorm is bad enough, but when it just keeps coming – oh, the misery!

Compound that misery with the unfortunate realization that city or privately contracted snow plows have piled the stuff right back onto your freshly scraped clean sidewalk – it’s enough to send you right up the wall.