By The Somerville Times Staff

Hopes are high for the students and staff at Somerville’s Next Wave and Full Circle Alternative School. For nineteen years their annual tree lot fundraiser has provided a wonderful service to students, the community, and the school. However, last year many trees were left over due to inclement weather and the school suffered a loss. This year the staff and students are optimistic.

By Jim Clark

Police were dispatched to a Beacon St. location last week on reports of a vehicular accident.

Upon arrival, the officers observed a car which had its passenger side front axle broken along with damage to the passenger side front fender on the side of the road. Additionally, a parked minivan with damage to the driver’s side rear was also spotted.

The officers spoke with the reporting party and were told the driver of the car, later identified as Jeffrey Costello, 33, was driving erratically along Beacon St., hitting several orange construction barrels that were set up along the street, according to reports.

By William C. Shelton

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Those who call themselves “conservatives” attack those who call themselves “liberals” with a sustained hatefulness that I can’t recall from any other period that I’ve lived through. Yet if you ask a self-described “conservative,” or for that matter “liberal,” or “progressive,” what his or her chosen term means, you will be hard pressed to get a clear definition.

On Monday evening, Dec. 1, at approximately 6 p.m., two men claiming to be representing the Somerville Water Department gained access to a private residence and committed a larceny. While this appears to be an isolated incident, the City of Somerville and Somerville Police Department remind residents that any employee of the Water Department requiring access to any property will always show identification.

Adorable potential pets are getting the chance they need to find good homes, thanks to the generous efforts of Pets in Need in Somerville. — Photos by Claudia Ferro

By Laura Stiffler

Pets In Need Animal Shelter is a small animal rescue run solely by volunteers saving unwanted and abandoned cats and dogs.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

On Monday, we held a groundbreaking for Partners HealthCare’s new administrative building in Assembly Square that will bring 4,500 permanent office jobs and 1,500 construction jobs to Somerville. This building is the first phase of Partners’ eventual 1.1-million-square-foot development that, when complete, will yield slightly more revenue for the City than the site would have generated in commercial taxes if IKEA had developed the site as previously planned. Partners’ move is a milestone—the first in what will be a surge of new businesses coming to Somerville, and this isn’t happening by accident. It’s only happening after years of patient, prudent planning with the community and investments based on that planning.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

The annual SHS Craft Fair Sponsored by Track PAC took place on Saturday, November 29th. It was a day of gift shopping at the Somerville High School Atrium/Field House.

(L to R) Attorney Philip J. Privitera, presents $1000 Angel Fund Donation from Arlington’s Mystic Valley Lodge of Freemasons to Jean DeVanthery, at the East Somerville Community School, while the School’s Counselor on Education, Carlie Calioro, and Ted Wilson of Dearborn Academy in Arlington stand by.

By Tom Bannister

On Tuesday December 2, 2014, Somerville Attorney Philip J. Privitera visited a First Grade Classroom at the East Cambridge Somerville Community School on Cross Street and presented a $1,000 donation to assist the children and the school during the Christmas season.

Chief Assessor and Chairman of Somerville Board of Assessors, Marc A. Levye, reported his findings to the Board of Alderman.

By Douglas Yu

The residential value in Somerville will increase over 10 percent in the next fiscal year, according to the findings of the most recent Board of Alderman public hearing. However, the city is also going to raise the property tax at the same time, especially on condominiums.

The Chamber of Commerce monthly Business After Hours is this Thursday, the 4th. It is an excellent networking event featuring free appetizers and a free business card drawing with cash bar. Guests are welcome to bring unwrapped Toys for Local Children. Sponsored by Bonney Automotive and the Law Offices of Isaac M. Machado. Hosted by Somerville Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Chair Dana Iacopucci of Cubby Oil & Energy.