On Thursday, July 3, live entertainment for our Independence Day celebration at Trum Field will include performances by the Somerville Sunsetters, local Disco-Funk band Booty Vortex, the USO Metropolitan New York Performers, and the U.S. Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble beginning at 6 p.m., all leading up to a 30-minute fireworks display at approximately 9:15 p.m. (In case of rain, the USO Metropolitan New York Performers and the U.S. Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble will perform at the East Somerville Community School at 7 p.m. on July 3. All other entertainment will be postponed until July 10.)

Joint statement from the Somerville Public Schools and the City of Somerville:

This morning, a 5th grade teacher at the East Somerville Community School was arrested by Somerville Police and arraigned at Somerville District Court on statutory rape and additional charges stemming from an alleged inappropriate relationship with a middle-school-aged child. The teacher, Alexandra Romanos, age 41, has taught in the District for seven years. The case is being prosecuted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

Alibrandis batting has stepped up to the plate, helping to give the team good placement in the division ranking.

By Ben Cassidy

For much of the 2014 Yawkey Baseball League season, the Somerville Alibrandis’ offense has mirrored the uneven and, at times, dismal weather conditions under which the team has played. During a four-game stretch in early June, for example, the Albriandis managed just six runs over four games; the squad subsequently tallied 21 runs in its next three contests.

By Douglas Yu

It’s been 10 years since Somerville mayor, Joe Curtatone, implemented the idea of creating a citywide holiday where families in Somerville can bring their kids to join all kinds of recreational activities and have a great time.

Social Media and Community Engagement Specialist Meghann Ackerman presented interested attendees essential data regarding issues facing Ward 3 and its residents. — Photo by Douglas Yu

By Douglas Yu

As part of the community engagement process, the City of Somerville gave a quick review of the news and data of the city’s pressing issues, such as rodent control and Union Square development, at a recent Ward 3 ResiStat meeting.

By Jeremy F. van der Heiden

The Somerville Board of Aldermen gathered for a regular meeting this past Thursday, June 26, to discuss a variety of matters ranging from problems with speeding drivers in certain neighborhoods to the city’s divestment from the fossil fuel industry.

Look out for a new attractive, handicapped accessible entrance to the Somerville Museum this fall. The Massachusetts Cultural Facility Fund (MCFF) has awarded the Museum $40,000 toward a $200,000 renovation project to bring the building up to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Fireworks are this week, Thursday night, July 3. The city will celebrate its 10th Anniversary of Fireworks at Trum Field. Live entertainment for our Independence Day celebration will include performances by the Somerville Sunsetters, local Disco-Funk band Booty Vortex, the USO Metropolitan New York Performers, and the U.S. Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble beginning at 6 p.m., all leading up to a 30-minute fireworks display at approximately 9:15 p.m. In case of rain, the USO Metropolitan New York Performers and the U.S. Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble will perform at the East Somerville Community School at 7 p.m. on July 3. All other entertainment will be postponed until July 10. For the tenth anniversary celebration, community members are invited to send in any old photos or items from past celebrations (recent and distant past) to help us celebrate Somerville’s history. Send photos or information to Carlene Campbell-Hegarty at CCampbell@somervillema.gov, or call 617-625-6600 ext. 2615.

By Jim Clark

Police were called to the Target store on Somerville Ave. last week on reports of an alleged shoplifter being detained by the store’s loss prevention personnel.

Upon arrival, officers were told by the store’s staff that a man, Christopher Williams, 38, of  Medford, had been detained after reportedly attempting to leave the store without paying for merchandise that he had taken with him.

It isn’t exactly a beauty contest, but – all things being equal – how do we choose our next Chief of Police from among this group of highly qualified and capable individuals?