Temporary exterior panels, which were installed to address the fire damage to the South East wing of the ESCS.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Aldermen have approved $30 million in bond funding for the renovation of the East Somerville Community School.

Selective demolition of the structure, which was burnt to the ground by a fire in December 2007, is slated to begin later this month. The school is expected to reopen during the 2012-13 school year.

By George P. Hassett

A 20-year-old Somerville man was arrested Dec. 10 after he allegedly made derogatory comments to his mother and challenged police to hit him.

Derek Stewart, 20, of 12 Tennyson St., was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after police responded to his home for a family dispute. Stewart yelled derogatory comments to his mother such as, “I hope you die!” according to police.

By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

During this week’s Board of Aldermen meeting, the City will be taking some time to recognize the outstanding service provided by Interim Police Chief Michael Cabral during the past year. Along with his deputies, Paul Upton and Charles Femino, Michael has steered the department ably through a year that was far too eventful.

Now, I don’t want to write everything I plan on saying tomorrow night before I get to say it, but I do want to shine a light on one of the more remarkable aspects of Michael Cabral’s stewardship of the Police Department: his availability to the community.

Illuminations Tours on December 18 showcase local Christmas tradition
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Homes on Bartlett Street lit up the winter sky during last year's illuminations tour. - Photo courtesy of Somerville Arts Council

If Santa ever gets lost on his way to Somerville, all he has to do is look for the lights and colors radiating from the amazingly decorated homes that attract hundreds of spectators each holiday season.

The Somerville Arts Council is once again offering a unique way to take in the highlights of the seasonal displays, with a series of 27 trolley tours on Saturday, December 18.

By Mike Rubin

The Somerville-Cambridge girls hockey team have their eyes on the state tournament.

Leading the way will be junior forward Rachel Cooper, who’s slated to emerge on the team’s top line while freshman defensive Hagerty, also of Somerville, will look to build on last year’s promising season.

By William Tauro

Somerville Kiwanis President Frank Wright, Toys for Tots Marine Sergeant Rick Dobbyn, Santa, Rotary Club President Ann Kirby and Somerville Lions Club President Bill Tauro.

The Somerville Kiwanis Club  hosted their annual Toys for Tots Christmas Tri-meeting for 2010 along with the Somerville Rotary and Somerville Lions Club in attendance.

The well attended crowd enjoyed Christmas carols performed by the Somerville High-School Chorus as well as a delicious holiday banquet prepared by the Mount Vernon Restaurant in Somerville.

Elizabeth Peabody House, of Somerville to provide Holiday Gifts to 300 children in Cambridge, Boston and Somerville.
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The Elizabeth Peabody House (Peabody House), is currently in the final stages of planning its annual Holiday Gift giveaway.  Starting on Sunday December 19, 2010 they will be providing gifts to 50 children from the Cambridge Youth Programs at the Massasoit Elk’s Lodge # 129 located at 55 Bishop Richard Allen Drive in Cambridge from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  On Tuesday December 21, 2010 they will be distributing toys to children at the Tynan Community Center in South Boston, SCALE in Somerville and The Margaret Fuller House and The Young Peoples project of Cambridge.   On Wednesday December 22, 2010 the Peabody House will host a holiday celebration for 100 children at the Elizabeth Peabody House located at 277 Broadway in Somerville. EPH’s goal is to spread some holiday cheer to children in need from Somerville and the Greater Boston area.

Brian Maingrette.

By George P. Hassett

A Boston man wanted in connection with the Nov. 28 stabbing on Flint Street turned himself in on Friday, police said.  Brian Maingrette, 18, of Roxbury, allegedly stabbed his brother in law after a dispute over child care issues.

The victim allegedly told police and a witness that Maingrette had stabbed him. Maingrette surrendered himself at the Somerville District Court and was taken into custody by Somerville Police Officer Lance Covert, police said.

Police allege that Maingrette stabbed his brother-in-law on Flint Street after an argument between the victim and his wife, Maingrette’s sister, over child care issues. According to investigators, the victim left the house on Flint Street after the argument, followed by Maingrette. Moments later, witnesses saw the victim lying on the ground with multiple stab wounds as Maingrette was running away from the scene, police said.

Winter tells story in ‘Citizen Somerville’
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Author Bobby Martini in front of the site of his father's old club The Pointer Post. - Photo by George P. Hassett

By George P. Hassett

Bobby Martini has the perfect resume for a true crime writer.

“I’m a criminal turned cop, turned back to criminal, turned regular guy with a good story to tell,” Martini says over grilled chicken wings at the Powder House Pub when speaking about his new book, Citizen Somerville: Growing Up with the Winter Hill Gang.

Martini says the book is the first reliable account of four decades in the history of the largest non-Mafia gang in New England.

By George P. Hassett

An alleged cocaine dealer pushing drugs from a lower Broadway apartment tried to intimidate two women he was arrested with on Dec. 10, police said.

As an entry team of Somerville detectives and DEA agents served a search warrant, they interrupted John Robinson, 29, of 18B Broadway, meeting with a prospective cocaine customer, police said.