By George P. Hassett

Police are alerting Porter Square residents after a woman was assaulted by a masked man in the neighborhood on Dec. 16.

In a phone and email alert to residents, Deputy Chief Paul Upton said a 24 year-old woman was indecently assaulted as she walked on Porter Street near Peterson Terrace. The victim was grabbed from behind and assaulted before she screamed, apparently scaring off the suspect, he said. The suspect then fled down Peterson Terrace toward Linden Avenue, Upton said.

By George P. Hassett

A 43-year-old Somerville man who lost a fight to a man about to smoke a joint in his basement was arrested Dec. 15 after he flew into a rage and said he would kill the man, according to police.

Louis Sousa, of 142 Holland St., was at the center of crowd of about a dozen people yelling and fighting at 132 Central St. when officers arrived, police said. In front of six police officers, several firefighters, ambulance personnel and more than a dozen spectators, Sousa repeatedly said he was going to get a gun and murder the person that beat him up, police said. He allegedly said he had access to a gun and would use it.

- Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Somerville’s first snowfall of the season is causing treacherous driving conditions for commuters.

Slippery roads caused by black ice attributed to traffic congestion and minor fender benders during Monday’s snowfall.

I am excited to be on the Advisory Board of the Massachusetts Poetry Festival to be held this Spring in Salem. I have spoken several times with the Director Mike Ansara, and have attended meetings with poets from around the state about this exciting event that was previously held in Lowell. I hope to involve Endicott College in Beverly (where I teach writing) in this state-wide venue for the art of poetry. Here is quote from the website for the festival that will provide further details.

The 2010 Somerville Highlanders varsity football team (4-6), led by captains John Wallace, John DiFraia, Kevin Wint and Robert Pratt held their annual awards ceremony on Friday, December 3^rd.  Hosted by the Highlander Football Association, the evening’s awards included:

Unsung Hero: Danny Dell’Isola
Leadership Award: Devon Hairston & Zack Sciuto
Courageous Spirit: Rodsen Liberus
Robert “Bubba” Castor Award: Ryan Conte
Varsity MVP: Josh Scarry & Kevin Wint
Junior Varsity Outstanding Player: Eddie Maldonado
Junior Varsity Coaches’ Award: Arshilazim Master
Freshman Outstanding Player: Phoenix Huertas
Freshman Coaches’ Award: Juwan Paige-Alexander & Carlos Ayala

Farmers and fresh food vendors from across Massachusetts to participate
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Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Shape Up Somerville are pleased to announce the launch of the Somerville winter farmers’ market. The winter farmers’ market is an initiative of Shape Up Somerville, designed to increase access to healthy and local foods for all Somerville residents during the winter months. The market will take place on Saturdays from 10 am – 2pm, January 8^th through March 26^th at the Center for the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue in Somerville.

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(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.)

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An old plastic Santa that’s been taped and repaired

A small plastic lamb, with one leg that’s not there

A few plug in candles that my Dad bought at Sears

Are some family Christmas ornaments, that we’ve had for years

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.