By George P. Hassett
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A 64-year-old woman was found dead after an accidental fire Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities did not release the woman’s name.
Chief Kevin Kelleher said firefighters extinguished the fire quickly but large amounts of smoke were in the woman’s first floor apartment.

By George P. Hassett

An employee at Old Magoun Saloon said he heard a suspect trying to break into the bar at 1:46 a.m. on Jan. 4, police said.

Police said the employee was doing his nightly chores when he heard someone trying to pry the back door open. The employee pushed the door open and heard someone running away, police said.

- Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Trees fell onto automobiles around the city blocking some roads.

Trees and power lines collapsed during Wednesday’s snow storm from the heavy wet snow.

A fired Somerville waitresses open letter to Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been debated throughout the country this week.

Fired waitress blames Jobs, iPhone for Foundry termination

By Andrew Firestone

Lindsay Garvey woke up late on New Year’s Day like many Somerville twenty-somethings. But only her oversleeping saga has made national headlines.

Garvey’s open letter to Steve Jobs blaming an iPhone malfunction that caused her alarm not to go off – and subsequently lose her job at a Davis Square pub – has been debated throughout the country this week.

A great big birthday goes out to Patrick Tauro. The son of one of the News publishers, Patrick is 17 this week. Best of luck from his friends here at the paper.

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Also happy birthday to Somerville native and long time resident Jim Rogers as well as his son Bill Rogers who are both celebrating their birthdays in Somerville this week.

The School Committee approved an extension of Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi's contract through June 30, 2014.

By George P. Hassett

The School Committee met for 51 minutes Monday. Mayor Joe Curtatone was absent.

Superintendent’s contract extended three years

The School Committee approved an extension of Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi’s contract through June 30, 2014 in executive session at a Dec. 21 meeting. Two committee members, mary Jo-Rossetti and Theresa Cardoso voted against the extension.

Budget work begins

School administrators are being asked to prepare level service budget proposals for the next fiscal year, said schools Finance Director Patricia Durette. School officials are not expecting increases in services or new initiatives in next year’s budget, she said. Officials expect to save about $200,000 after they relocated the district’s main office from the Boys and Girls Club to a city-owned building on Cross Street.

‘Baby boom’ in Somerville

School officials are expecting to add at least one additional kindergarten class to the city’s school lineup in the coming years as they deal with the city’s “baby boom.”

Ward Five School Committee member Mark Niedergang said school enrollment in Somerville had dropped most of this decade. “In the next two or three years I’d be surprised if we don’t see school population start to grow,” he said.

‘Disconnect’ between aldermen, school committee 

New Board of Aldermen President Rebekah Gewirtz said she will work to increase communication between school committee members and aldermen in her year as president.

“There’s been a disconnect between the Board of Aldermen and the School Committee,” she said at Monday’s meeting.

Gewirtz said she plans to present a monthly report from the School Committee to aldermen updating the board on issues the school committee is working on.

Can we call this iPhone-gate 2011?

The dispute between ex-Foundry on Elm waitress Lindsay Garvey and Apple CEO Steve Jobs sure seems epic to us. A fired waitress, high powered CEO and an online firestorm make this the biggest controversy in Somerville without the words “Ball Square” and “breakfast war.”

Garvey lost her wait staff job at Foundry on Elm after an Apple iPhone glitch caused her morning alarm not to go off. She struck back in a very 21st Century way: writing a blistering open letter online.

Arrests
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Rosario Marino, 22, of 41 Edward St., Jan. 3, 8:04 a.m., arrested on Robinson Street and charged with mayhem and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Thomas Stanley, 44, of 28 Ninth St., Medford, Jan. 5, 8:24 a.m., arrested on Washington Street on warrant charges.

Salifu Al Hassan, 25, of 84 Grant St., Jan. 6, 6:45 a.m. arrested at home and on warrant charges of distribution of a class B drug, receiving stolen property over $250 and drug violation near a school or park.

By George P. Hassett

An assault and battery was reported to Somerville Police Jan. 4 in connection with a classroom issue between a 17-year-old student and a teacher.

Police said the student reportedly shoved the teacher after he became disruptive in class and refused to stop. Police said there was no injury reported. No arrest was made.

Highlander hockey off to a 4-3 Start

By Mike Rubin

With two wins in their last three games, the Somerville boys hockey team has maintained its fine start to the season. Kicking off the season with a 4-1 win over Latin Academy, the Highlanders cruised to a 6-1 win over Everett in its Greater Boston League opener before suffering a 4-1 defeat to archrivals Medford on Saturday night. Currently, the Highlanders stand at 4-3 overall.