~Photos by Jill Brennan

One rumor circulating around town is that Ward Seven Alderman Bob Trane might have an interesting candidate opposing him. We hear from several sources that lifelong resident Joan Puglia wife of former Alderman Andy Puglia might pull papers to run in Ward 7. Joan is a nice lady and very well known around the city in particular Ward 7, we think that Ward 7 could be an interesting battle for Bob who has weathered some tough challenges in the past and doesn’t seem too upset, we hear.

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In the Alderman at Large race, we heard that the darling of the Progressives, Suzanne Bremer, who unsuccessfully ran against Mayor Joe in 2007 is considering throwing her name on the ballot for Alderman At Large.

By George P. Hassett

City officials are looking into allegations of financial mismanagement in the Council on Aging.

Council on Aging Director Cindy Hickey has been on vacation since last week, said city spokesman Michael Meehan. Meehan said thus far in the investigation, officials have found no specific wrongdoing on Hickey’s part.

In 1971, 29 Somerville residents were on the ballot for alderman-at-large. In 2009, there was no need for a single primary in the city elections.
What happened? Do we care less than we did in 1971? Are we less opinionated? Has everything at City Hall been solved? Probably not.
Beyond taking into account the many valid reasons for such a drop in political participation (cost of living increases keep folks at work instead of civic engagements, apathy may have set in after we hear each week on the news about another scandal in government), fewer voices in citywide discussions hurt us all.

Police initially believed suspect was ‘violent’ military deserter

By George P. Hassett

An identification mix-up had Somerville police chasing what they thought was a violent military deserter Sunday afternoon.

When officers caught up to Brandon Wood, a 29-year-old homeless man, they found a knife and a syringe loaded with “freshly cooked heroin,” police said. He was with Brandon Shelzi, 20, of 10 Townsend Rd., Belmont, who was found with syrine caps in his pockets.

By George P. Hassett

A 19-year-old Woburn man died Saturday after he lost control of his car on Interstate 93 and fell 30 to 40 feet onto Route 28 early Saturday, according to a statement from the State Police.

Christopher J. Ward was pronounced dead after he was transported from the scene by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital, police said.

Freshman Melissa Baptista recorded a career high 19 points and 12 rebounds in the Highlanders' 82-50 win over Everett last Friday night.

By Mike Rubin

Not only has the Somerville girls basketball team been able to turn around their season,  they’re well within striking distance of a tournament berth.

Only a month ago, a trip to the tournament for the Highlanders seemed like a fantasy.

Would you think dumpsters would be a good subject for a poem?  You might think the poem is pure garbage. Well, poet Zvi Sesling has another take on it. His poem “Dumped” was included in his new collection from the Cervena Barva Press of Somerville, “Across Stones of Bad Dreams.”