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.

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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.

This year’s installment of PorchFest hit the city this past weekend. Those who have, in the past, taken notice of the event – and it is an event that is rather difficult not to notice – usually have fairly strong opinions of approval or distaste for the goings on.

For the uninitiated, PorchFest invites local musicians to give something of an informal concert outside their homes, either on a front or back porch, yard, garden, etc.

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By New England Poetry Club board member Doug Holder

I first met Nidia Hernandez at a meeting of the literary group, the “Bagel Bards,” that was then housed in the basement of the Panera Bread in Porter Square, Cambridge. She had recently arrived from Venezuela and was already in a frenzy of activities for the poetry community. Right off the bat, she recorded the poetry of many of our members and seemed to bring the high holy to our work.