Last week the Massachusetts Senate voted to ban bump stocks and trigger cranks, and classify them under the same general law that governs machine guns. Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) voted in favor of the amendment, which would establish identical penalties – eighteen months to life in prison – for the use and possession of bump stocks and trigger cranks as current law holds for machine guns.

Elder Care Advisor at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) Corinne Lofchie, LICSW.

By Corinne Lofchie

A: Here’s a brief overview of how the pieces fit together: The two original parts are called Medicare A and B; Medicare A primarily covers hospitalization and Part B is for outpatient medical services, like doctor’s visits. Then there’s Part D—as in drug–, which covers prescriptions.

Executive order balances privacy and civil liberty protections with police investigative and public safety needs;

As surveillance technology use grows nationally, the City of Somerville has joined 19 U.S. cities and two states working with the ACLU to protect individual rights while preserving public safety. On Oct. 4, with the full support of the Somerville Police Department, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone signed the Executive Policy on Surveillance Technology, which is believed to be the first such policy implemented in the Commonwealth.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville Bard Jr. and Somerville Chief of Police David Fallon have confirmed that two fatal shootings occurred last night: one in Cambridge and one in Somerville.

Somerville residents ages four and older eligible for vaccine.

The cool air is a sign that the cold and flu season is approaching, which means it’s time for the annual flu vaccine clinics offered by the City of Somerville’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The clinics offer free flu vaccines for Somerville residents ages four and older (children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). They will be held starting on October 5, 2017 at various times and locations in the community until the City’s supply of vaccine is exhausted. Due to limited supply and availability of nurses, vaccines will be offered during official flu clinic hours only.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

Police officers from all over lined the streets of Somerville to say their final farewell to Somerville Police Officer Remigio. Fellow officers, city officials, first responders, family and friends filled St. Clements Church Friday morning for a funeral mass.

By William C. Shelton

(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)

The United States ranks 78^th in the world in women’s political representation. This is a shame because evidence is unequivocal that organizations that include women in their leadership produce better outcomes than those that don’t.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

On Sunday, local community groups, artists, and activists working for a variety of progressive causes — economic justice, protecting the environment, world peace, an end to racism — join the brass bands to make a spectacular parade from Davis Square to Harvard Square along Mass Avenue. Other HONK! Fest activities include a Day of Action, when bands convene to play on behalf of a cause, and roundtable discussions for participating musicians and organizers of other HONK! festivals around the country to gather and share experiences.

Lt. James Polito, flanked by the daughters of Louis Remigio, read a statement to the those in attendance on Thursday. — Photos by Bobbie Toner

Family members and friends of Louis Remigio, a Somerville Police officer who lost his life in a fatal crash last Sunday, gathered to pay their respects on Thursday afternoon during calling hours at George L. Doherty Funeral Home.

Statements were given by family members and city officials, including Police Chief David Fallon and Mayor Joseph Curtatone.

By Jim Clark

While assigned to the Police Department’s Gang Unit last week, a group of Somerville police officers took notice of two males who were known to them at a Glen St. location.

On the previous day, officers spoke with one of the men and offered him services with the Roca organization in Chelsea.