We hear Detective Mario Oliveira has returned to the hospital this week with an infection. Mario was shot while serving a warrant Nov. 2 and many in the city, including us here at Newstalk, are eager for him to return home soon. On Saturday night at the Overtime Sports Bar at 208 Rantoul Street in Beverly from 8p.m. to 11p.m., there will be a benefit for Mario; tickets are available at the door and on facebook.

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We would like to welcome home long time Somerville resident and friend of the News, Nicole Blundon who was recently in the hospital and we hear is on the mend from her surgery, we wish her well.

‘Twas a few weeks before Christmas, and all through the neighborhood, the boys and girls of Somerville pretended to be good. With their hopes all a flutter, how best to feel glee? Why in front of City Hall, with a tall, dazzling tree!

Some concerned about financial risk

By George P. Hassett

With federal and state funds lagging, aldermen last week approved a city-funded plan to continue development at Assembly Square.

Under the plan, passed unanimously, the city would take out a $25 million bond against future property tax increases in three blocks of Assembly Square.

By George P. Hassett

Two hapless thieves circled a motor scooter several times and stole it as a police officer watched from a nearby hill on Dec. 1, police said.

Cornelius Jackson, 20, of 42 Gueneva St., Dorchester, and a 14-year-old Charlestown juvenile were arrested and charged with receiving stolen property after they walked away with the scooter, police said.

By Mike Rubin

After barely missing the tournament for the first time in several years, the Somerville High boys basketball team is aiming for a return.

Featuring talented underclassmen and some promising seniors, the Highlanders are optimistic for a successful run.

“We’re a young a team, and we’re lacking height, which is nothing new, but the guys are working hard, and we’re going to have to find a way to win the close games,” said third year coach Mark Antonelli.

Mike Julce of St. Clements wins the MVP Trophy in St. Clements Thanksgiving Day win over Trinity Catholic.

By Mike Rubin

Since the midway point of the season St. Clement junior running back Michael Julce has been a work horse for the surging Anchormen. This week, he was rewarded when he was named team MVP.

To start the season Julce had to play quarterback as other players were not ready or out with injuries.

Poet Carolyn Gregory wrote a poem in memory of the late founder of Stone Soup Poets, Jack Powers.

- Photo by Rosalee Zammuto

Demolition work on Thorndike Street causes ‘serious head injury’

By George P. Hassett

A construction worker was injured Tuesday on Thorndike Street when the roof of a home he was demolishing fell and struck him in the head.
Somerville firefighters treated the unidentified man as he lay on the roof of the home at 14 Thorndike St. A call for an industrial accident at 1:22 p.m. brought them to the scene.