By Jim Clark

Police were dispatched to a Belmont St. residence in the early morning hours of last Saturday on reports of gunshots being fired.

Multiple reports about the incident were phoned in to police as the officers made their way to the residence.

The Marathon Sports Memphis Soul 5Km BBQ Run and The Burren donated $3,700 to the local chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society on Monday at The Burren in Davis Square, Somerville.

These funds were raised from last year’s event. This year’s event will be taking place on August 14 at The Burren. The special guest at the presentation was four-time Boston Marathon and four-time NY Marathon winner, Bill Rodgers.

By Mayor 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)

Here in Somerville we believe in having a good time. Always have. It got ingrained in me at a young age. Maybe it was all those Memorial Day parades I attended in. Ever since I can remember, whenever there’s a public celebration in this city, people turn out for it. Longtime residents, new residents, people of every age, color, religion, ethnic background and economic status – you can see the diversity that makes us such a great city coming together during our public festivals and cultural events. It’s awesome to behold.

~Photos by Donald Norton and Bobbie Toner

Tonight members of Somerville Police Employee’s Association, and the Massachusetts Municipal Police Coalition held a rally at Somerville City Hall to protest the continued display of the Black Lives Matter banner hanging on City Hall.

On July 21, 2016, Cambridge Community Television (CCTV) and Somerville Community Access Television (SCATV) hosted a debate between the 2 candidates for the 2nd Middlesex Senate District, incumbent Patricia Jehlen and challenger Leland Cheung. The debate was produced and hosted by Joe Lynch, producer of Greater Somerville. Panelists included Donald Norton, publisher and editor in chief of the Somerville Times, Alex Ruppenthal from the Medford Transcript and wickedlocal.com, and Robert Winters, founder of the Cambridge Civic Journal. Watch both debates below.

~Photos by Kevin Dickinson

On Sunday, July 24, in Union Sq Plaza, two cultures celebrated in one event, a festival full of song, dance, and art.

Haiti and Brazil hit the ‘Ville is a celebration of Somerville’s diverse population, specifically the Haitian & Brazilian communities.

NAACP Mystic Valley Branch respond directly to Somerville Police Employee’s Association’s Letter requesting removal of Black Lives Matter Banner

In a letter addressed to Somerville Police Employee’s Association the Mystic Valley Area Branch of NAACP responded to the Police Union’s request that Mayor Curtatone of Somerville remove a Black Lives Matter banner from City Hall.

By Maureen Barillaro, Somerville Climate Action
Renée Scott, Green and Open Somerville

(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)

Whether our origins were in the Garden of Eden or on the African veldt, we became human in green space. And we need green space for ourselves and our world to remain healthy.

On Wednesday, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone commented on the rally scheduled for Thursday to be held by police groups protesting the presence of the “Black Lives Matter” banner hanging at City Hall:

Our understanding is that there will be both a police rally as well as counter protests attended by Somerville residents and others. We respect all three group’s right to protest.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Mayor Curtatone hosted a performance by the Somerville Sunsetters on Friday night, July 22, at his home on Ten Hills Road and had it catered by Redbones. The Sunsetters, led by Somerville Youth Arts Coordinator Jimmy Del Ponte, are a traveling youth music troupe, performing popular show tunes and contemporary pop music hits on city streets throughout July and August at sunset. The group began in the 1970s, performing through the 1980s until they were reinstated by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone in 2004. The 45-minute shows are a great way to spend a summer evening with the kids, neighbors, family and friends.