By George P. Hassett

An alleged hooker asked an undercover Somerville vice cop repeatedly if he was a police officer before she took her clothes off and got arrested last week, police said.

Heather Robinson, 22, of 590 Shirley St., Winthrop, was arrested at the Holiday Inn on Washington Street and charged with sexual conduct for a fee March 12. Police said Robinson quoted an undercover officer $150 for an hour of sexual services after members of the vice unit identified a Web site displaying an advertisement offering prostitution in Somerville.

By Andrew Firestone
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Over 5,000 runners made it out to Davis Square last Sunday, March 13, as the Ninth Annual Ras na hEiereann made its way through Somerville.

Jimmy Del Ponte slams and tells a Somerville story last week at PA's Lounge.

By Andrew Firestone

It is often said that the culture of a people can be derived only from the stories told within the living memory of the community. If that is the case, the Storytelling Slam at PA’s Lounge March 10 was a modern-day history lesson, as scenes and times of Somerville past came alive again.

Organized by Bess Paupeck and the Somerville Arts Council, the event saw four Somerville storytellers take the stage, competing for the title “Best Somerville Tale.” In the end, Dan Gewertz, professor and journalist, took home the vaunted prize.

By George P. Hassett

A Somerville woman was arrested for heroin possession after a police License Plate Reader revealed she was driving with a suspended license last week, police said.

Michelle Fernandes, 30, of 22 Prescott St., was driving on Washington Street when the plate reader of an officer patrolling the area reported that Fernandes was driving without a valid license, police said. A search of her car revealed five syringes, a bag of heroin and spoons with heroin residue.

A Somerville High School boys track star finished with the fastest time of any Massachusetts 400 meter runner this weekend at the National Scholastic Championship in New York City.

Andre Rolim finished 26th overall in the race with a time of 50.19 seconds. He also competed with Somerville runners Edward Chen, Jermaine Carty and John Thomas in the 1600 meter relay race to place 21st. 

– Photos by Donald Norton

Hundreds of revelers turned out to an old fashioned St. Patrick’s Day party at the Armory for the Arts on Highland Avenue.
Ward Five Alderman Sean O’Donovan organized the event which featured traditional Irish music, dancing and good times.

By Ashley Taylor

Thursday night, the governing board for Somerville’s new tax increment district met to discuss the rules for its own proceedings and to hash out the financial details of the developments planned for Assembly Square that will be funded through District Improvement Financing.  No votes were cast Thursday night, but the decisions underway will shape the administration of the Assembly Row DIF and future DIF’s run by the same decision-making body.

Friday night at the Somerville Armory was a huge success, several hundred attendees (some say that throughout the evening about 500) showed up to help bring back the old traditional St. Patrick’s Day Party’s that were started by former Rep. Marie E. Howe back in the 1970’s and early 80’s.  Alderman Sean O’Donovan got one of the best Irish bands in the area to play to the crowd – the Old Brigade Irish Band.

Christine Barber

A neighborhood activist in Ward Four has declared her candidacy to succeed Alderman Walter Pero, who announced last week he would not seek reelection.
In a statement, Christine Barber said she recognized a need for stronger advocacy on behalf of the Winter Hill and Ten Hills neighborhoods. Barber, a Thurston Street resident, is a long-time health care advocate and has been active in local and state political campaigns.  A former leader of the Marshall Street Area Neighborhood Group, she currently serves on Ward 4’s Democratic Ward Committee.