A Somerville man has been indicted on a charge of armed assault to murder in connection with a November 11 shooting that left a victim with life-threatening injuries, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.

Part 2:  How it became illegal
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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 problem with conspiracy theories is Occam’s razor, the principle that favors the simplest explanation that fits all the evidence. Conspiracy theories offer too few dots, and require too many assumptions to connect them.

Police put a stop to an alleged heroin trafficking operation in Somerville last week. – Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jim Clark

While conducting routine surveillance operations in East Somerville last week, members of the Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit took notice of what appeared to be drug trafficking activity being conducted out of a U-Haul storage van, according to reports.

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.)

With more emotion than he usually displays, President Obama summoned us all to action last Sunday night: “If there’s even one step we can take to save another child or another parent or another town from the grief that’s visited Tucson and Aurora and Oak Creek and Newtown and communities from Columbine to Blacksburg before that, then surely we have an obligation to try. In the coming weeks, I’ll use whatever power this office holds to engage my fellow citizens, from law enforcement, to mental health professionals, to parents and educators, in an effort aimed at preventing more tragedies like this, because what choice do we have? We can’t accept events like this as routine.”

By William Tauro

On Friday, the Walnut Street Center celebrated their annual holiday party for the 200 people they provide services to throughout the Somerville, Cambridge and Arlington communities.

Alderman William Roche (L)submits his letter of resignation to City Clerk John Long

By Cathleen Twardzik

Alderman William Roche, Ward 1, recently resigned as an alderman, and now he will assist the city as Interim Part-time Personnel Director.

Maureen Bastardi, School Committee Member, Ward 1, was named by the aldermen to serve the balance of Roche’s term.

– Photos by Bobbie Toner

Over 5000 runners participated in this year’s Somerville Jingle Bell Run last Sunday. Festive costumes and spirited competition highlighted the event, a proven favorite among runners and spectators alike.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from all of us here at The News to all our readers out there, both in the ‘Ville and all over the country. May one and all have a great Holiday season and a safe one, and may all our wishes come true.

Bryant Associates’ Mark Suscovich presented details to the curious crowd that gathered at the Holiday Inn last week, hoping for a clear vision of what to expect concerning the Community Path and the Green Line Extension. – Photo by Blake Maddux

By Blake Maddux

In the Suffolk Room at the Holiday Inn at 30 Washington Street last Tuesday, Hayes Morrison of the City of Somerville Department of Transportation commenced a presentation of the plans for the Community Path from Lowell Street to Inner Belt Road.

Giantist took a giant leap of generosity, performing at the Toys for Tots benefit on Saturday. – Photo by Justin Matheus

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

The band Giantist has its humanism down to a science. The band that’s part Evanescence, with a little bit of Deftones thrown in, and rounded out with rich Radiohead ambivalence performed for a Toys for Tots charity event this past Saturday.