Arrests:
*

Raphael Caminero, of 111 Locust St., Woburn, February 4, 1:18 a.m., arrested at Medford St. on a charge of operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Jose Fuentes, of 20 Otis St., February 4, 1:18 a.m., arrested at Medford St. on a charge of drug possession to distribute.

On Tuesday, all MBTA rail services (Subway, Trolley, and Commuter Rail) will be suspended all day while maintenance crews continue to clear snow and ice from tracks, the third rail and switches. Mechanical forces will continue to assess the damage done to subway cars, trolleys, locomotives and passenger coaches. 

Due to continued historic levels of snowfall, the Somerville snow emergency and parking ban will remain in effect until further notice, Somerville schools will be closed at least through Tuesday, and I am asking that anyone able to avoid travel in Somerville stay off the roads on Tuesday to allow our plows to do their job quickly and efficiently. Public safety and securing safe passage for emergency vehicles especially on narrow side streets remains our primary concern and focus. For this reason, residents should be prepared for an extended parking ban on even side parking. To ease this burden, the ban will eventually be lifted on a rolling basis to widen roads and free up parking sooner starting with main roads. Please watch for announcements in the next several days.

Automobiles, heaters, cooking appliances, and other everyday items produce carbon monoxide when they run. This gas is normally vented out of buildings and cars long before it poses any health risk, but this cannot happen if exterior vents are blocked by snow, ice, or debris. Carbon monoxide is deadly in high quantities. Because the gas cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, it is extremely important that all exterior home heating vents and vehicle tail pipes be cleared completely, and that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are tested to ensure they have batteries and are working.

The video below is an important announcement from Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone regarding the impending snow storm. For more information, visit www.somervillema.gov/snow

Updated:Somerville Public Schools are closed Mon., Feb. 9 

All cars must be moved by 2 p.m. to avoid ticketing and towing. Residents encouraged toshare extra driveway spots.

 In accordance with the city’s Snow Emergency Procedures, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has declared a snow emergency for the City of Somerville to go into effect at 10 a.m. on Sun., Feb. 8.  During snow emergencies, parking is allowed on the odd-numbered side of the street only (unless otherwise posted).  Cars not moved by 2 p.m. Sun. will be subject to ticketing and towing. Residents unable to find a parking space on the odd-numbered side of the street may park in any municipal or school parking lot for the duration of the emergency, and may park in lots immediately on Sunday as regular parking enforcement is not in place on Sundays. Full snow emergency and snow removal policies may be found on the city’s website at www.somervillema.gov/snow. A video statement from Mayor Curtatone on the historic snowfall and the city’s ongoing response will be available at www.somervillema.gov/snow.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

(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)

Timeline: Sunday February 1, 7:25 a.m. Superbowl Sunday is finally here.

If I hear the word “deflate” again I’ll freak out! So here’s the deal. We have our Chinese food order written down and ready to call in. The TV people they sent to Arizona ticked me off because while they were blabbing, I was in Somerville shoveling and shivering. They ran out of interesting topics days ago.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Community Laundry on Bow St. Sunday afternoon on reports of a breaking and entering in progress.

By Rebecca Danvers

On Saturday, February 7, at 2:00 p.m., a men’s basketball game will be held at Tufts University in Cousens Gym vs. Williams, where this year’s annual Fane the Fire event will be hosted, in support of national Autism Awareness Day.

Services offered in connection with kickoff of neighborhood planning process

A new city program that offers technical assistance, financial services and other support to small businesses and in multiple languages will launch in Union Square as part of the community planning process for the neighborhood now underway, in partnership with master developer partner Union Square Station Associates (US2), which is funding the program.