By Jim Clark

The Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit recently conducted a surveillance and investigative operation on a Bow St. residence suspected of being the location of a heroin distribution ring.

The primary suspect of the investigation was identified as Deborah Winter. On Saturday morning of last week, surveillance was established around Winter’s Bow St. residence and a warrant was acquired allowing for search of both Winter and her residence.

By Rob Buchanan, Stuart Dash, Bill Shelton and Tim Talun

(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)

On October 18^th the Planning Board and Board of Aldermen will conduct a public hearing on new zoning for Union Square that includes major changes. In many respects, it is an improvement over what exists today. But its far-reaching and, in some cases, troubling consequences merit careful consideration by citizens and policy makers alike.

Lowering of speed limits in residential areas of the city was one of the topics discussed by the mayor and other participants at last week’s Ward 7 ResiStat meeting.

By Joe Ruvido

The fall series of bi-annual ResiStat meetings kicked off last Wednesday at the Neighborhood School on Powderhouse Boulevard in Ward 7. Over complimentary pizza and snacks residents listened in to a slide-show presentation from and asked questions directly to Ward 7 Alderman Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone.

~Photos by Donald Norton

With just one month until the election the Save Our Public Schools No On 2 campaign is heating up in Somerville. Mayor Curtatone, the Somerville Teachers Association, and Progress Together hosted a rally to mobilize around Question 2.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

The first ever ArtsUnion’s AgriCultural Festival took place at ArtFarm in Somerville on Sunday.

The festival is a celebration of everything we grow from the earth, and the people who grow it. This fantastical festival celebrated Somerville farmers, artists and new urban agricultural initiatives. Attendees came out and shared about what they grow and learned from local growers.

The 2016 edition of the HONK! Festival hits the streets beginning this coming Friday.

By Rebecca Danvers

HONK! Festival, the annual 3-day free festival bringing brass bands from all over the United States and the world to Somerville for a celebration of music, community and activism takes place this weekend.

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)

In September, the Prospect Hill Tower reopened to the public. The renovation and preservation of this historic landmark where George Washington raised our first national flag in 1776 marks the first project to be completed in Somerville with Community Preservation Act funds. Residents are now able to take a docent-led tour, climb the tower, and enjoy the panoramic views on select dates. There’s also an option for a virtual tour for those who are unable to climb the stairs. And all of that was made possible because of you, our residents, and your decision to adopt the Community Preservation Act.

By Tom Bannister

Calling all dogs, runners, and walkers! som|dog is taking to historic Union Square in Somerville for their semi-annual Doggie 5k Fun Run.

This year, they honor the late Tom Taylor, who served on the Somerville Board of Alderman from 1983 to 2013, and was an avid som|dog supporter. Tom was a major force behind the efforts to bring off-leash dog parks to the Somerville community.

Acting Superintendent Mark Lawhorne was on the hot seat as he presented to the Board details on the base charges recently implemented by the department.

By Jim Clark

At the latest regular meeting of the Somerville Board of Alderman on Thursday, September 22, Acting Superintendent of the Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund Mark Lawhorne presented answers to questions posed by the Board relating to unexpected increases in water rates.

Starting on July 1 of this year, a $60 fee was placed on water bills each quarter. A public outcry followed, with none being louder than that which issued from the Somerville Aldermanic Chamber.

Co-founder of Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI) John Rosenthal was the keynote speaker at the forum sponsored by CHA and the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery on Saturday.

By Amy Swain

This past Saturday, Cambridge Health Alliance and the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery sponsored a forum focused on education and awareness on addiction, recovery, and access to services.

The event took place at Tufts’ Barnum Hall in Medford. The complete event, which lasted from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., was free and open to the public, and drew a large audience.