By George P. Hassett

Police are investigating a report of an indecent exposure at the bus stop outside Burger King on Somerville Avenue.

A woman told police she was stared at by a man making lewd gestures on Dec. 15. Police said the woman saw his liscense plate and called police as the suspect drove away.

By George P. Hassett

An Iraq war veteran placed retroactively at the top of a civil service hiring list for the city’s fire department may have been passed over for the last time at last Thursday’s aldermen meeting.

Sean O’Brien won a civil service decision that placed him at the top of the list to be hired as a Somerville firefighter. Six candidates were approved to join the city’s reserve firefighter force over O’Brien at the meeting.

The Somerville High Boys Basketball Team Split its first two games with Malden Catholic.

By Mike Rubin

Even though the Somerville boys basketball team is undersized and inexperienced, they’ve hustled their way to a fine start.

Despite suffering a tough 63-59 defeat to Malden Catholic, the Highlanders bounced back with an encouraging 78-71 win over the Lancers in Friday night’s home opener at the Brune Gymnasium. Currently, the Highlanders stand at 1-1 overall.

A.J. Wright stores will close sometime between late January and mid-February. - Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Cathleen Twardzik

A.J. Wright has been an employer in Somerville for the past 12 years. Now, in the midst of the holidays, those jobs are gone as the company closes its local store.

The company will convert 91 A.J. Wright stores to either T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods.

A Merry Christmas to everyone from the publishers and staff of the The Somerville News. Christmas is a time for family and friends and we are so fortunate here in Somerville to have many friends across the city, we are truly blessed and thank everyone for it.

***************

Very nice gesture by the incoming President of the Board of Alderman and Vice President, they treated everyone on the board and the staff out to the Highland Kitchen to a very nice dinner, and then Rebekah Gewirtz the incoming president presented everyone with a “Tree” to be planted. That’s very nice of her to give the gift of eternal life just as the meaning of the Christmas tree means to many in this the Christmas season, also proving she’s thinking green.

- Photo by Rob Stanhope

You can see joggers in Somerville everyday but how often are they wearing elf hats or dressed in reindeer costumes?

Those were the sights Sunday at the Jingle Bell Run in Somerville, the biggest such run on the East Coast. The run, organized by the Somerville Striders Atheletic Club, covered Davis, Teele and Ball Squares and made a $10,000 donation to Toys for Local Children.

By  George P. Hassett

On a night when former Acting Chief Mike Cabral was recognized for leading the police department through a tumultuous year, Deputy Chief Paul Upton and Captain Charles Femino were honored for their work.

By William Tauro

Over 125 local seniors joined Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Council on Aging Director Cindy Hickey to enjoy holiday music, dancing, fine catered food by Amelia’s Italian Restaurant and even a visit from Santa.

By George P. Hassett

The Board of Aldermen met Dec. 16. Here are some highlights from the meeting.

Mangan honored

Aldermen honored Somerville Youth and Recreation Foundation President David Mangan at Thursday’s meeting.

Recreation Director James Halloran said, “Hundreds of kids had opportunities that otherwise they would not have had” because of Mangan’s work with the foundation.

Arrests

Daniel Percival, 27, of 46 Marshall Street, Dec. 14, 9:51 a.m., arrested at home and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and defacing property.

Stephen Carey, 44, of 95 Locust St., Burlington, Dec. 15, 12:29 a.m., arrested at 103 Gilman St. and charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and possession of a class A drug.