By George P. Hassett

A 19-year-old Woburn man died Saturday after he lost control of his car on Interstate 93 and fell 30 to 40 feet onto Route 28 early Saturday, according to a statement from the State Police.

Christopher J. Ward was pronounced dead after he was transported from the scene by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital, police said.

Freshman Melissa Baptista recorded a career high 19 points and 12 rebounds in the Highlanders' 82-50 win over Everett last Friday night.

By Mike Rubin

Not only has the Somerville girls basketball team been able to turn around their season,  they’re well within striking distance of a tournament berth.

Only a month ago, a trip to the tournament for the Highlanders seemed like a fantasy.

Would you think dumpsters would be a good subject for a poem?  You might think the poem is pure garbage. Well, poet Zvi Sesling has another take on it. His poem “Dumped” was included in his new collection from the Cervena Barva Press of Somerville, “Across Stones of Bad Dreams.”

By William Tauro

A porch collapsed Monday evening on Sycamore Terrace.  An occupant of the house suffered a broken ankle and was treated and release at an area hospital.

Somerville emergency crews and Inspectional Services were called in to assess the damage.

Assistant Director of Personnel, Sarah Kloos, to assume role as Acting Director of Personnel as of February 14th; City conducting search for Permanent Director

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In a statement to City employees, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that the City’s Director of Personnel, Jessie Baker, has resigned her post in order to accept the position of Performance Improvement Manger for the Vermont Health Department.  Mayor Curtatone also announced that, effective Monday, February 14, 2011, Assistant Director of Personnel Sarah Kloos will serve as Acting Director of the Department.  A formal search process began earlier this month to permanently fill the position.  Ms. Baker has been an employee of the City of Somerville since 2006.

Helen F. McIntrye Scholarship established through SHS Scholarship Foundation

On Monday, January 24, the Somerville School Committee formally accepted at $153,601 bequest from the estate of Helen F. McIntyre, who died in December 2009 at her home on Cape Cod. Ms. McIntrye, a Somerville High School graduate from the Class of 1936, bequeathed the funds to establish a scholarship for a Somerville High School graduate who is attending BU and is planning to study business. Upon
learning of the bequest Superintendent of Schools Tony Pierantozzi remarked, “The generosity of the community of Somerville and Somerville High School graduates is extraordinary. Ms. McIntrye joins hundreds of others in making it possible for many of our graduates to fulfill their college aspirations.”

Students from the Healey school visited Biogen labs in Cambridge last month.

By George P. Hassett

Somerville teacher Peadar Dooley and Healey School students visited Biogen labs in Cambridge last month. As one parent said: It’s a phenomenal lab experience: the students get lab coats, safety glasses and use all sorts of cool high-priced lab equipment.  Mr. Dooley’s more scientific explanation of their trip:

Phil Ercolini first served under Mayor Ralph in 1973; Served on Zoning Board of Appeals for 18 years; Was Housing Director for 7 years
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The City’s long-time Director of the Housing Division of the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, Phil Ercolini, served his last day in that position today as he retired after many years of service to the City.  First hired by Mayor S. Lester Ralph as Aide to the Mayor in 1973, Ercolini has served the City in several capacities including an 18-year position on the Zoning Board of Appeals prior to joining the Curtatone administration as Housing Director in 2004.  In 2006 – 2007, he also served as Acting Director of OSPCD while the City conducted a nationwide search for a permanent appointment.  Prior to accepting his final position as Housing Director , Ercolini also held several positions within the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, including Senior Housing Program Coordinator and Director of the Housing Stabilization Fund.

Dangers associated with heavy snow loads on roofs

(press release from  MEMA)

Over the past 36 hours, there have been over 70 reports of roof collapses or buildings with potential structural damage from the weight of snow and ice loads on roofs.  While these incidents have occurred throughout the Commonwealth, the majority have taken place in eastern Massachusetts.  In many instances, homes and businesses have been evacuated as a result of collapses or safety concerns resulting from indications of structural weaknesses.  In a normal winter season, there may be a handful of such events, making this season, with its heavy snowfall, extremely unique.  The current severe roof load conditions are the result of the recent prolonged cold weather and repeated snowstorms.  Short periods of rain that get absorbed in the snowpack on roofs have also made matters even worse.  Compounding the situation is the short-term weather forecast of potentially two more snowstorms in the next week.