By William Tauro

A street dedication was held on this past Saturday for Virgil “Virgie” Iannacone at the intersection of Central and Summer Streets in Somerville.

Virgil J. Iannacone was the owner of the former Virgie’s Rendezvous Restaurant that was located on Highland Avenue in Somerville for 56 years. He was a life member of the Somerville Lions Club who raised much-needed donations for Lions Charities. Virgil was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II and fought on the Beaches of Normandy and in the Battle of The Bulge.

Somerville Alderman ask the Somerville Human Rights Commission to investigate the complaints of Clarendon Hill Towers residents. – Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Harry Kane

A resolution passed during the Board of Aldermen meeting on May 9, which will ask the Human Rights Commission to investigate complaints of unlawful treatment, discrimination and harassment of tenants by the management of the Clarendon Hill Towers.

Hundreds of local runners gathered to participate in this year’s M.O.M.’s Run which was dedicated to the memory of Officer Sean Collier, a Somerville resident, former Somerville Auxiliary police officer, and a M.O.M.’s Run volunteer.  Sean’s sister ran in his memory this year, donning race number 179, his badge number.  100% of the funds raised by M.O.M.’s Run benefits the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, widely recognized as one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind. Not only does the event enforce the need for supporting cancer research, it brings family and friends together to promote awareness for the health and wellness benefits of walking and running. The winners of this year’s run were Sean McClain (Men) and Erin Morin (Women).

By Jim Clark

Police responded to a called in report of a breaking and entering in progress at a Pinckney Pl. residence last Friday afternoon.

Upon arrival at the residence officers were met by the reporting party, who told them that a man, Rafael Lima, 38, of Cambridge, had broken into his home and had also physically attacked him.

A small sampling of the community got a chance to dig into the groundbreaking ceremony for the Community Path extension. – Photo by Josh Maislin

By Josh  Maislin

On Monday, May 13, Mayor Joseph Curtatone and other officials hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the first extension of Somerville’s Community Path in over 18 years. The path will be extended a quarter-mile east from its current terminus at Cedar street, to Lowell Street.

By Harry Kane

The Board of Aldermen continue to discuss proposed methods to fill vacancies once an alderman retires with less than one year of their term and prior to any regular election. But on May 14, a rules change was adopted, changing the process for filling vacant seats.

Open Letter to the Public:

It has come to my attention that offensive, homophobic slurs have been publicly spoken about a Somerville elected official, and a friend of mine. In light of this information, let me renew my stance on this and any other derogatory remarks against human beings in ours and any other community: This kind of abusive behavior has no place in our city – or any other.

The annual Somerville High Scholarship Foundation raffle is this Friday evening, May 17, and tickets are still available the first price of $10,000 that will be awarded along with many other prizes. Only 250 tickets are to be sold. The event will be held at the Highlander Café at the High School, Friday night at 7 p.m., with the drawing starting at 8p.m. Several door prizes, refreshments and lots of fun for a great cause. To purchase a ticket for the raffle beforehand make checks payable to the SHS Scholarship Foundation and mail your $100 check to SHS Raffle, c/o Eugene Brune, P.O. Box 440275, Somerville 02144. We do know that from past years you can or might be able to purchase a ticket directly at the function this Friday night, so show up and take part in the festivities. This is a great local charity that raises funds for scholarships for well deserving students. Send a check today and get your tickets. Who knows? You just might be the big winner.

By Linjing Cheng

Representatives from Centro Presente and others made their grievances known to members of the Somerville Board of Alderman regarding alleged “wage theft” practices by local employers. –Photo by Linjing Cheng

Four wage dispute cases between One World Cuisine – which operates Diva Indian Bistro in Davis Square, as well as a number of other restaurants and liquor stores – and its former employees developed into a political discussion in Somerville this week.

What Davis Square needs is a good boutique style hotel with plenty of parking and no restaurant to compete with those already in the area. Agreed? Well, almost.