By David R. Smith

Standard & Poor’s has raised Somerville’s bond rating from the city’s previous high of “AA-” to its new high of “AA+,” which represents a two-ratings jump. The new rating is just one step away from S&P’s highest designation of “AAA.” Higher bond ratings typically result in lower interest rates for municipalities when it comes to borrowing and financing for projects.

Negotiations broke down last week between the city and Tufts over the university’s plans – or apparent lack thereof – for the Powder House School and the land surrounding it. The main reason given was that Tufts could not commit to a timeline of when it would break ground.

The Middlesex County Chiefs of Police Association announced the signing last week of the Massachusetts Interagency Mutual Aid Agreement, authorized by state law, which will empowers on-duty police officers in one jurisdiction to respond to public safety emergencies in other participating jurisdictions in certain circumstances.

The Chiu siblings of Somerville, Owen, 11, and Nora, 8, were among the 12 children chosen from more than 600 entries to serve as the new Legoland Discovery Center Boston’s Junior Construction Panel. The photo here is a still from the video they submitted for the contest.

Legoland Discovery Center Boston has selected 12 young Lego fans to serve on the inaugural Junior Construction Panel. Three Somerville residents, Owen Chiu, 11, Nora Chiu, 8, and Henry Wallis, 8, were among the dozen kids who were selected out of more than 600 applicants to help resident Master Model Builder Ian Coffey with tasks and events at the new attraction, which opens May 23 at Assembly Row.

The Chiu siblings and Wallis submitted an application with a video and photo and written response respectively that answered the questions: “What makes you the biggest LEGO fan?” And “Why should you be on the Junior Construction Panel?”

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Somerville Poet Michael Todd Steffen will be reading from his new book at the Arts Armory in Somerville at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 26. Here is a review by guest columnist Denis Daly.

Carl Sciortino, state lawmaker and social justice advocate, has extensive experience advocating on behalf of people living with HIV and those vulnerable to infection.

AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts announces today that it has named Carl Sciortino its Executive Director. Sciortino, a state representative from the 34th Middlesex District, will resign from elected office Friday, April 4.

Somerville’s overburdened recreation and athletic fields require creative solutions that will be drafted by a consulting firm that has completed an initial assessment of the city’s fields, and a new task force will be convened to review the proposals, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced.

Arrests:
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David Kakles, 45, of 74 Wheatland St., March 17, 5:26 a.m., arrested at home on a charge of assault and battery.

Robert Gibson, 64, of 56 Fremont St., March 17, 1:52 p.m., arrested at 25 Highland Ave. on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender.

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

A tractor-trailer got snagged on low hanging power lines on Packard Avenue early Monday afternoon. The driver was not injured, although the accident did knock out power in the area and led to the road being closed for several hours.