The Somerville Fireworks and July 4 celebration planned for tonight, Thursday, June 27, is still scheduled to take place as planned. The evening’s entertainment includes live music by disco-funk band Booty Vortex, the USO Metropolitan New York Performers, BOVA Productions, the Somerville Sunsetters, and the Somerville Moonlighters, followed by a 30-minute fireworks display to be launched from Trum Field at approximately 9:15 p.m. Entertainment begins at 5:45 p.m. Please call 311, with any questions.

– Photos by Bobbie Toner and Samantha Sahlas

Somerville High students and teachers played a softball scrimmage last week  at Trum Field. Teachers won the game 6 – 2.

By Jim Clark

Police responded to a report of an assault with a handgun last Friday afternoon at a Highland Ave. location.

The reporting party told police that while he was in a beauty shop his wife called and told him that a man, later identified as Benjamin Francois, 46, of Medford, was asking for a sign.

– Updated by The Somerville Fire Department

The Somerville Fire Department responded to a basement fire at 106 Walnut Street at 5:06. this morning.  The building is a 3 story six (6) unit building housing 24 people.  The fire did considerable damage to the right side of the structure.

The public got a detailed look at the proposed new Lechmere Green Line station at an informational meeting held last week in Cambridge.
– Photo by Douglas Yu

By Douglas Yu

Lechmere Station, which is on the green line, is going to be relocated to a new area in order to make more room for passengers at the platform. Located in East Cambridge, this MBTA station is an important connection for Somerville residents.

Alibrandis batting is better than ever, and heavily contributing to the team’s ongoing successes.
– Photo by Harry Kane

By Mike Stoller

In the spirit of Lonestar, it just keeps getting better for the Somerville Alibrandis baseball team. With two more wins last week, Alibrandis, now 11-1, continued to be in sole command of first place in the Ted Williams Division of the Yawkey League.

Washington St. plan links market rate and affordable housing
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An architect’s rendering shows the proposed mixed use development on Washington Street looking toward McGrath Highway. – Photo by Dimella Shaffer

By Elizabeth Sheeran

It’s a unique opportunity to increase affordable housing options for Somerville families and bring added vitality to Union Square. Or it’s a poorly designed, oversized building project that will hurt both property values and the quality of life for neighbors. It just depends whom you ask.

The City of Somerville Board of Aldermen put its final touches to the FY14 budget last Thursday.

By Mike Molloy

The Board of Aldermen made final budget cuts on Thursday evening. Mayor Curtatone opened the meeting speaking passionately on what he believes the FY14 budget will achieve. The BOA shares the Mayor’s zeal for our thriving city, while asserting its duty to make cuts where necessary.

Joe’s Jazz and Blues Fest 2013 enlivened venues across the city last week. – Photo by Martynas Limantas

By Martynas Limantas

Presented by the Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Arts Council, a lineup of blues and jazz shows took place at various music venues around Somerville this past week.