By Jim Clark

Somerville police stopped a vehicle last week due to alleged suspicious activity. The driver reportedly identified himself as Hector Jesus Guzman-Oyola, but upon further investigation it was learned that his name is actually Luis Alejandro Cuello.

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.)

I watch politicians and pundits pour over each new economic indicator like seers examining the entrails of sacrificial goats, and I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry.

I need only examine federal fiscal policy to offer this forecast: U.S. economic growth and employment will not significantly improve, and may well worsen, for years to come.

Centro Presente’s screening of The Invisibles brought interested parties from all sides together to examine some of the myths and realities of immigration to the United States by Central and South Americans. - Photo by Carrie Stanziola

By Carrie Stanziola

On August 25, Somerville residents were invited to a screening of The Invisibles, sponsored by Centro Presente as part of their “Somos-We Are” campaign. Somos is the brainchild of the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (NALACC), a two year-old initiative designed to fight xenophobic and anti-immigrant attitudes and laws which dehumanize migrant communities. Among Somos’ campaigns is to petition WBUR to stop using the word “illegal” to describe undocumented immigrants. As Somos argues, actions, not people are illegal. The word “illegal” adds nothing to the immigration debate and does not tell the stories of immigrants.

By Jim Clark

Loss prevention agents at Home Depot on Mystic Avenue followed a man last Thursday as he had allegedly grabbed some water filters off the shelves and walked past the cash registers without paying for them, according to police.

This map shows the current hotspots for rodent sightings in Somerville. (click to download a PDF copy)

By Harry Kane

The rat problem cannot be solved in one sweeping motion but the City of Somerville maintains their vigilant efforts to rid the city of the cunning rodents. To recap recent events, the city held a seminar in the Alderman’s chamber several weeks ago with rat specialist, Robert Corrigan from New York City, to review Somerville’s current strategies and educate the city on up-to-date methods for determining their whereabouts.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to a South Street residence Sunday night on a report of a fight in progress.

Upon their arrival the officers were met by the alleged victim, while another man stood in a hallway, reportedly bleeding from his hand. Emergency services were called in and the bleeding man, who called himself “Mr. Tan,” was transported to Cambridge Hospital for treatment, according to police.

By Harry Kane

Why remove water chestnuts from the Mystic River, you may ask? Patrick Herron, Water Quality Monitoring Director for (MyRWA) Mystic River Watershed, explained that these invasive plants clog the Mystic River. The organized removal of water chestnuts allows for the native ecosystem to continue. Otherwise the water chestnut plants (Trapa Natans) will displace and kill the native species.

Alderman William White said the GLX delay was a "middle finger" from the state.

By Andrew Firestone

Somerville Aldermen spoke out against the Green Line delay this last Thursday, August 25, one going so far as to call the action a “middle finger” to the people of Somerville. The board passed a resolution requesting that the Secretary of Transportation appear to explain the delay, inviting members of the Conversation Law Foundation to attend as well.

Somerville Chamber “Business After Hours” this Thursday, September 1, from 5-7 p.m., will be at the Olde Magoun’s Saloon located at 518 Medford Street, Magoun Square. Free appetizers, excellent networking, free business card drawing, cash bar. It’s a wonderful opportunity for local businesses to connect to each other as a network.

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So it’s the last weekend of the summer and lots of people in the ‘Ville have left to enjoy it. The only ones around, we hear, are the various candidates for public office (sad there isn’t more of them). We heard nothing other than congratulations to the city, Mayor Joe, and DPW Commissioner Stan Koty for a job well done in removing all the various debris of fallen trees. The DPW crews were out doing a good job. Visit our web site and view over 20 pictures of trees around the city.