Vehicles in municipal lots must be moved by 7 p.m.

 The City will lift its snow emergency regulations at 5:00 p.m. this evening. Residents who had parked in municipal or school lots during the snow emergency MUST move their cars by 7:00 p.m. Cars still parked in city lots after that time may be subject to ticketing and towing, and this rule WILL be strictly enforced in order to allow crews to effectively plow all lots.

By William Tauro

A three story garage roof collapsed at 72 Rush Street Wednesday afternoon. The wooden structure collapsed from the weight of  the heavy  snow that had fallen.
Somerville police and fire were called and arrived at the scene to assess the situation.
No injuries were reported.

By Andrew Firestone

Somerville’s youth received another accolade last Saturday at Somerville High School when the America’s Promise Alliance dropped by to present them with a spot in America’s 100 Best Communities for Youth.  Members of the SHS musical Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Facotry were on hand, as well as Mayor Joseph Curatone, School Committee chair Adam Sweeting, Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi and U.S. Representative Michael Capuano.

Last week’s candy controversy article in Newstalk and on the crime page, caused quite a stir from bloggers, some we posted and some we didn’t. Some were in  bad taste and others were just vulgar and libel. We want everyone to post on our site, that’s why we have it, we would prefer to keep it all factual or at least in the “rumor” category and not so nasty.

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Happy Birthday to Deputy Chief Michael Cabral who’s celebrating in Somerville this week. Also, happy birthday to our good friend here Paul Flaherty.  Both are great guys and we wish them many more.

By George P. Hassett

A woman reported to police that a man exposed himself to her Jan. 26.

The woman told police she was at the bus stop on Washington Street at Tufts Street when a dark blue sedan pulled up to her. The man inside allegedly exposed himself to her. The woman shouted that she was going to call the police and the suspect drove away.

Alderman: ‘There is a lot of paranoia in the immigrant community’

By Andrew Firestone

A new federal law enforcement program has frightened the local immigrant community and prevented immigrant parents from sending their children to community events, according to a Somerville alderman.

Alderman-at-Large Bruce Desmond said the Secure Communities programs, signed by Governor Deval Patrick, has created paranoia within Somerville’s immigrant population. Parents have stopped sending their children to youth sports leagues in response, Desmond said.

City spokeswoman Jackie Rossetti said Department of Public Works trucks are storing snow in Yard 21 in Assembly Square and Harris Park. - Photo by Bobbie Toner

Officials look for new spots for cleared snow

By George P. Hassett

Shoveling is turning out to be the easy part.

As another major storm is predicted for Wednesday, city officials are scrambling for spots to store the snow that is filling up New England’s most densely populated city.

A public hearing has been set for February 17 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the grievances of local craftsman in Somerville against KSS Realty and Gale Residential Properties over bidding concerns for construction of the MaxPak site.- Photo by Andrew Firestone

Hearing set for Feb. 17

By Andrew Firestone

Local construction workers and builders will have a chance to make their case to be hired at the site of a 184 unit condominium this month.

A public hearing has been set for February 17 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the grievances of local craftsman in Somerville against KSS Realty and Gale Residential Properties over bidding concerns for construction of the MaxPak site.

Robbie Anderson is one of many reasons why the Somerville High boys' hockey team is on the verge of clinching their first tournament berth in four years. - Courtesy photo

By Mike Rubin

After surviving three games in four days, the Somerville High boys hockey team is on the verge of clinching their first tournament appearance in four years.

Despite a 9-5 loss to Matignon on Saturday night, the Highlanders won a pair of key victories in the Greater Boston League last week. On Friday, the Highlanders coasted to a 7-3 win over Cambridge and survived a 5-4 shootout win over Everett last Wednesday. Currently, the Highlanders stand at 7-4-1 overall, but are 3-1 in the GBL. Should the Highlanders defeat league rival Medford in Wednesday night’s showdown at Veteran’s Memorial Rink, they’ll capture a share of the league title as well as an automatic berth in the Division 1 state tournament.