November 27, 1989 – December 13, 2023

Kayla E. Driscoll, 34, passed away unexpectedly on December 13, 2023. She was born on November 27, 1989 in Melrose, Massachusetts, to Ellen (O’Neil) Driscoll and John A. Driscoll. Kayla graduated from Somerville High School in 2007. Kayla studied Muscular Therapy at the Cortiva Institute for Muscular Therapy in Watertown, MA in May 2015. As a Massage Therapist, Kayla specialized in working with clients who experienced trauma and was known for creating safe and therapeutic environments for her clients.

The Historic Somerville Collection of magnets and stickers make fun and inexpensive holiday gifts for Secret Santa, stocking stuffers, and for the local person who already has everything they need.

Applications due February 9, 2024

The City of Somerville is seeking volunteers to join both the Somerville Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) and the Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee (SBAC). PTAC and SBAC advise the city on projects, policy, and programs related to walking, bicycling, and transit as a means of transportation in Somerville and work to create a safer and more equitable built environment for people of all ages and abilities. 

Beginning around 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 17, the annual Jingle Bell Run road race will be held in and around the Davis, Teele, and Ball square areas. 

Detours will be in place around the starting line on Elm St. in Davis Square. Please observe posted signage.

“Burning Down The House: Women and Art in an Uncertain World” will be on exhibition at Brickbottom Gallery January 11 – February.

Brickbottom Gallery, a non-profit exhibition space run by the Brickbottom Artists’ Association (BAA), will present an exhibition of five established Boston-area women artists in its groundbreaking new show Burning Down The House: Women and Art in an Uncertain World.

East Somerville Main Streets hosted their Cozy Holiday Market for Santa photos, warm drinks, tasty treats, art shopping, and an amazing time on Friday, December 8, in the parking lot of Deano’s Pasta, 15 Garfield Ave. — Photos by Claudia Ferro

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and the Massachusetts State Police have identified the young woman killed in Wednesday’s crash on Route 93 north in Stoneham as Kayla E. Driscoll, 34, of Somerville.

The topic of rent stabilization being possibly implemented in Somerville was among the issues discussed by the city’s Legislative Matters Committee at their latest meeting.

By Jennifer Purcell

Last Tuesday, December 5, the Somerville City Council’s Legislative Matters Committee held their final meeting of the year, following up on a variety of subjects that have been prominent topics of discussion all throughout the year.

— Photo by Bobbie Toner

With a favorable vote from the MSBA, Somerville will continue its pursuit to rebuild or fully renovate the Winter Hill Community Innovation School. 

Somerville is one step closer to a new school building, thanks to a vote by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on Wednesday to invite the Somerville Public Schools into MSBA’s Eligibility Period. The Eligibility Period is the first step in the MSBA process to proceed to the Capital Pipeline for funding. Somerville now has 270 days to complete requirements of the eligibility period, including funding a feasibility study, defining local needs, and forming a building committee. Invitation into the Eligibility Period is not an invitation to Feasibility Study, but is a critical next step in the process. 

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne leads the lighting of the Menorah on the concourse or Somerville City Hall on December 12, 2023.