By Jim Clark

A man who was detained on Derby Street by Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit officers last Thursday was later identified as the prime suspect in a residential break-in and theft, according to police reports.

While being questioned by officers, Matthew McComiskey, 31, allegedly dropped a cigarette package to the ground. Police said that the package contained a hypodermic syringe, as well as eight gold rings and a gold ankle bracelet.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone gives Testimony against the "Verizon Bill". - Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Mayor Joseph Curtatone appeared before a Joint Committee in the Statehouse last Wednesday, May 18, to voice his disapproval for the “Verizon bill” which he claimed would curtail local authority in negotiating with cable companies, and work to create an unfair advantage to Verizon.

“This bill would allow Verizon to disregard community and government access television and as the home of the nation’s first independent non-profit, community access television corporation, SCAT, Somerville finds this completely unacceptable, as well as you should,” Curtatone said to the Committee of Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy. The Mayor was joined by other City leaders, and supported by Senator John Keenan (D-Quincy), who chaired on the committee.

Susan Huszar’s Never Alone is one of the many miniature curiosities to be appreciated at the Small Obsessions exhibit on display at the Somerville Museum through June 25. - Photo by Phill Apley

By Rose Scherlis

There is a tiny alternate universe of sculpture, film, and mixed media on display at the Somerville Museum. Small Obsessions brings together unconventional dollhouses created by twenty artists. The opening reception was held Sunday, and the exhibit will run until June 25.

Artists Susan Huszar, Donna Rhea Marder, Sharon Shea, Jeff Sais, and Joyce Audy Zarins spoke to visitors about the inspiration, technique, and meaning of their work. The event is curated by sculptor Carolyn Wirth.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police units responded to a report that thieves were making off with scrap metal at East Somerville Community School last Friday, at approximately 2:26 a.m.

The school is currently under construction and is fenced off to the public and has posted no trespassing signs in plain view, said police.

I-93 presents a puzzle for environmental scientists to solve for Somerville. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

UFP research underway for people near I-93

By Andrew Firestone

This week marked a milestone in the Community Assessment of Freeway Exposure and Health (CAFEH) study, as the researchers and scientists involved presented their findings to the public. Four years in to the five-year $2.5 million grant from  the National Institute of Health, the project has gone from being merely an idea, to being a comprehensive data-driven study of the effects of Ultra-Fine Particulates (UFP), the dangerous gasses emitted by vehicle exhaust, on human health and its role in causing cardiovascular disease.

The Annual Memorial Day Parade is this Sunday. Kickoff time at 1p.m. as usual. It runs all the way up Highland Avenue, through Davis and Teele Squares, ending at Clarendon Hill.  This year Frank Sensi of Veterans Services has done another great job for the city. He has worked very hard putting this together.

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Condolences to the Capobianco and Curtatone families for the loss of Mama Elena Capobianco. She took an unfortunate fall last week in her driveway. She was taken to Mass General where she passed away on Monday. She was a wonderful women and matriarch of one of Somerville’s leading families. She will be will be missed by all who knew her. Funeral services will be at Cota Funeral Home, on Washington Street, this Thursday.

‘Villens are generally quite friendly people. Sure, there’s a grouch or two in any crowd, but all in all we measure up well in the friendliness department. Friendly to one another. Kind to kids. Charitable to Chinese checkers enthusiasts.  And we’re just crazy about bicycles. Aren’t we?

There’s a comforting something in the imagery of health conscious, nature loving individuals shunning their oversized, gas guzzling automobiles and SUVs in favor of pedaling their way to their jobs, schools, and marketplaces in the soft, pastoral glow of self-satisfaction at somehow “making a difference.”

By Andrew Firestone

The Boston Globe came under fire last week when Mayor Joseph Curtatone blasted a recent article, which he said levied unwarranted criticism to the Somerville Education System. “This was a prejudicial article,” he said at a School Committee meeting on May 16. “There were undertones to this article that would be offensive to anyone who has any decent set of values.”

The article, entitled  “Should they stay or should they go?” was written by longtime Somerville correspondent Danielle Dreilinger, and released on May 5 in the Globe North, and told the story of three prospective families who had to contend with the Somerville school system and its negative perception when deciding on schools for their youth. The article included a family that moved to Belmont, and faced increased property taxes and a lack of community that Somerville provides, all due to their refusal to submit their children to the Somerville education system. Reasons included poor test MCAS scores and a high dropout rate.

Monday, May 23, was the first day to pull nomination papers for any of the local elections post. - Photo by Donald Norton

By Donald Norton

The City of Somerville local elections are to be held this year and this past Monday, May 23, was the first day to pull nomination papers for any of the local elections post. For Mayor you will need 250 registered voters to sign your petition, Alderman at Large 150, and Ward Alderman and School Committee only 100 signatures.

The time frame to pull nomination papers is from Monday May 23 to June 27. The primary election is to be held on September 13 if more than 2 certify in each ward and more then 8 certify for Alderman at large. The election department staff is prepared to answer any questions you might have. Just call 617 625-6600 or visit them on the lower floor at City Hall.