Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

No, this isn’t a story about pizza. It’s a story about those precious photographs that are part of all of our lives. They are in albums, shoeboxes, envelopes and drawers. They are a look back into our pasts, the way we used to be. Frozen in time, captured for eternity.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne has announced the winning projects from Somerville’s second Participatory Budgeting cycle. More than 4,000 residents voted to determine how to invest $1 million in community-generated ideas.

“Participatory Budgeting puts the power of public funds directly in our community’s hands,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “I’m so proud of the creativity, collaboration, and care that our residents continue to bring to this process. These winning projects reflect what matters most to our community, and we can’t wait to bring them to life.”

Somerville residents have once again readied their porches for a citywide day of homemade concerts for the city’s annual PorchFest. Hosted by the Somerville Arts Council, PorchFest 2025 took place last Saturday, transforming porches and stoops across Somerville into mini music venues that showcase the city’s incredible talent and creative spirit.

Lawmakers joined Öztürk, her legal team, and ACLU of Massachusetts at Logan Airport in her first public appearance since March abduction in Somerville

Saturday, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) welcomed Tufts PhD student Rümeysa Öztürkat Logan Airport in Boston at her request following her arrival home from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention in Louisiana. Ms. Öztürk, a Somerville resident and constituent of the Congresswoman’s, was released on bail yesterday by a federal judge from Vermont after being unlawfully detained for over six weeks.

(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 Samantha Steiner

Somerville Public Schools (SPS) is failing to meet federal special education mandates – and its own stated values. In March, the School Committee unanimously passed a resolution in support of students with disabilities, pledging to “lead by example” and “ensure access to supports and services.” SPS even joined a federal lawsuit to protect the U.S. Department of Education, the agency tasked with enforcing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Former site of Winter Hill Community Innovation School unoccupied at time of incident

Community members encouraged to share any information

On Monday, May 12, at approximately 8:50 p.m., the Somerville Fire Department and Somerville Police Department responded to a reported fire at the former for the Winter Hill Community Innovation School (WHCIS) on Sycamore Street. The building is currently unused. 

The city is repaving Tufts Street and reconstructing its sidewalks as part of the citywide Pavement and Sidewalk Management Program. As part of this effort, city staff have, after a year and a half of community engagement, developed a new design for the street to make it safer and more comfortable for everyone. Residents are invited to a virtual community meeting to learn about upcoming construction.The event will take place Wednesday, May 14, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit www.somervillema.gov/tuftsstreet to learn more and attend the meeting.

Concerned members of the community joined in a rally last Wednesday calling for more funding for Somerville Schools.

Hundreds of educators, caregivers, students, and community members gathered outside of East Somerville Community School on Wednesday before a hearing on the school budget to call on Mayor Katjana Ballantyne to increase her funding proposal for Somerville Public Schools.

Holly Simione

Family Advocate and Counselor Seeks to Be a Voice on the Council for Those Not Heard

Human Service worker Holly Simione formally announced her campaign for one of the four Somerville City Council At Large seats in the upcoming election this fall, 2025. Simione, who is the Chairperson of the Somerville Commission for Persons with Disabilities Commission, also served as the Governor appointed member (and former Chair) of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. She is a native-born Somerville resident, a graduate of Somerville High School, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Lesley College.

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Whenever I’m entertaining and oven roasted potatoes are on the menu, I always try to make a little extra. I love repurposing potatoes for home fries. It’s a real time saver in the morning. I originally tossed the diced potatoes in olive oil, salt, pepper and dried parsley and roasted in the oven until soft and crispy.