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.

Somerville’s happiness quotient has been quantified, and it seems to be fairly happy. - Photo courtesy of D Sharon Pruitt

By Andrew Firestone

After months of data collection, and 6500 surveys completed through mail, Internet and phone, the city presented their findings on the “happiness survey” or well-being study that the city administration has undertaken. The mean life happiness score proved to be 7.5 out of 10, with the following demographics reporting. Mean life satisfaction, a different and more prescient form of happiness was placed at 7.7, and satisfaction for the city of Somerville was also at 7.7.

By Cathleen Twardzik

The Seventh Annual Massachusetts Motorcycle Ride for Recovery started its engines at the Somerville City Hall from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for people in recovery, families, friends and policymakers.

While hurricane Irene gradually leveled down to tropical storm status over the past weekend, all of the North East held its collective breath in dire anticipation of what would actually come.

Thankfully, there were no serious casualties here and property damage was relatively light. Still, between the fallen trees and downed power lines, many felt a somewhat significant impact nonetheless.