By Jim Clark

A police traffic unit took notice of a vehicle traveling along Washington St. last week  that had a number of violations apparent to the officer.

Bridge to be closed to vehicles for three weeks as MassDOT prepares for Green Line Extension into Union Square.

As preparations continue throughout the City of Somerville in anticipation of the Green Line Extension Project, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will begin intensive repairs to the Medford Street Bridge in July that will require the full closure of Medford Street between Somerville Ave. and South Street through July 21. Beginning on Friday, July 5, this portion of roadway will be closed to vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the next three weeks. Pedestrian access will be maintained, and detour signage has been posted in these areas. Throughout construction, details and information can be found at www.greenlinextension.com, or by calling 1-855-GLX-INFO.

Holland Street Senior Center @ TAB will remain open through 4:30 Friday, offers A/C, water; Open to all

Due to the forecast of high heat and humidity indices on Friday, July 5, the City of Somerville will open its cooling center at the Holland Street location effective immediately. Located at the Senior Centers at 167 Holland Street (TAB Building), the cooling center will operate until 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Water and air conditioning are available to all community members. Residents are advised to avoid exposure to the extreme heat, to drink plenty of water, and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity. Residents requiring transportation should call 311 at any time.

By William C. Shelton

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

The city’s new fiscal year begins this week, and the budget has increased to $196 million.

Our reserves are about 6% of this sum. To many, this may seem like a prudent amount. I don’t think it is. In fact, I believe that our city’s fiscal circumstances are more precarious than most ‘Villens realize.

A fun time was had by all who attending this year’s City of Somerville Fireworks Celebration last week.  Pictured above, Margie Ray, Irene McCune and Mary Wessick. Below, Singers of Sunsetters and Moonlighters led by Jimmy Del Ponte.

Families from all over Somerville gathered together to enjoy a day of fun and relaxation. – Photos by Douglas Yu

By Douglas Yu

Instead of letting your kids chase around a splash pad, jump into a kidpool or just having a picnic in a park in the hot summer, Somerville residents have their own holiday to celebrate a quality family time, Family Fun Day.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

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

This week 237 years ago, our nation’s forefathers declared, “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” That maxim in the Declaration of Independence has echoed throughout history ever since, but did so a little more loudly   last week when the Supreme Court struck down and dismissed federal and state acts that denied equality to married gay and lesbian couples.

Voice opposition to Everett proposal
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This image, taken from the Wynn Everett website, shows an architect’s rendering of the casino complex that Wynn Resorts plans to build on the Everett shore of the Mystic River.

By Elizabeth Sheeran

When it comes to plans for a resort casino on the Mystic River, Somerville’s elected officials say the city’s being dealt a bad hand.

Mayor Curtatone joined Alderman at Large Bruce Desmond in reporting on the state of the city’s job market and steps that would be taken to enhance employment opportunities across the board.

By Cathleen Twardzik

At a recent Somerville Jobs Advisory Committee (JAC) meeting, Mayor Curtatone and Bruce Desmond, Alderman At Large and JAC Chair, presented the formal findings and recommendations about which the committee decided.  In 2012, the mayor convened that action, assessing and examining the landscape of the local job market, as well as the workforce development system within the city of Somerville.