By William Tauro

The Somerville Fire Department promoted many firefighters to higher rank late last week. Captain William Lee was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief, Captain Dennis Murphy was promoted to District Fire Chief, Lt.Michael Avery was promoted to Fire Captain, Lt.William Fitzpatrick was promoted to Fire Captain,  Lt.Christopher Major was promoted to Fire Captain. The following Firefighters were promoted to the rank of Fire Lieutenant: Timothy Bakey, Gregory French, Stephen Mauras, Mark  Matthews, and Stephen Belski. Also, Firefighter David Stiltner was approved for appointment to the position of Fire Lieutenant. However, due to a family emergency he was not present that evening. Pictured here are Mayor Joseph Curtatone, newly promoted lieutenants, Timothy Bakey, Gregory French, Stephen Mauras, Mark Matthews and Stephen Belski, Fire Chief Kelleher, and Jay Colbert.

Joshua Scarry has emerged as the leading rusher for the Highlanders, rushing for close to 1,000 yards on the season.

For the Somerville High football team, the 3-6 record is deceiving. Despite suffering two two-game losing streaks, the Highlanders also endured one of the toughest schedules in the state, having faced five top 20 schools in just nine games.

“We were battle tested, and we faced the toughest teams,” said coach Harry Marchetti earlier in the season. “Our record is deceiving because of our schedule. The kids played some of the best teams in the state, and I thought we were able to put up a good fight.”

A juvenile, of Somerville, Nov. 15, 6:48 p.m., Nov. 15, 6:48 p.m., arrested on Heath Street on warrant charges of defacing property, burning personal property and attempt to burn building.

Alberto Contreras, 19, of 27 Addison St., Chelsea, Nov. 16, 5:08 p.m., arrested on Broadway on warrant charges.

Martin Acosta, 17, of 20 River Road, Nov. 16, 9:08 p.m., arrested on River Road on a warrant charge.

By George P. Hassett

A 14-year-old Somerville boy was arrested Nov. 15 after he allegedly lit an umbrella on fire and swung it around in front of the Elizabeth Peabody House on Broadway.

The Aug. 8 incident was witnessed by Somerville Housing Authority police officers. The boy was arrested on warrant charges last week.

The Somerville High Boys Soccer Team advanced to the Division North Semifinals for the Second Consecutive year before losing a tough 2-1 match to Brookline.

By Mike Rubin

Two months ago, the Somerville High School boys soccer team had lost six of their first eight contests and state tournament hopes were dimming.

Despite injuries, the Highlanders regrouped and won seven of their last nine and made a thrilling tournament run.

By William Tauro

(L to R) Somerville Kiwanis President Frank Wright, Somerville Rotary President Ann Kirby and Somerville Lions Club President Bill Tauro

The city’s three service clubs assembled together  Tuesday to attend their annual Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions Club Tri-Meeting.

This year’s well attended event was held at the Mount Vernon Restaurant in Somerville.

Yani Batteau (front right).

I met Somerville artist, musician Yani Batteau at a recent meeting of the Bagel Bard’s in Davis Square. She was wearing a big cowboy hat, and carrying a banjo case. She is a woman with optimistic, bright blue eyes and a down home manner about her. She is an artist who believes that art has the power to transform people – the power to change things. More than once she has involved folks in one of her many projects and they came away with a new sense of their potential.

By George P. Hassett

A criminal couple distracted a store employee to steal a roll of lottery tickets Monday morning, police said.

Police nabbed the female who allegedly kept the cashier busy while a man reached over the counter and grabbed 13 $20 lottery tickets from the combination convenience store and Dunkin Donuts at 850 Broadway.

President Frank Wright,SHS Girls Pride Basketball Team & Kiwanis.

The Somerville Kiwanis Club recently hosted over 120 senior citizens to a Thanksgiving dinner.  The event was held at the Culinary Arts restaurant at Somerville High School.  A full meal from rolls, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, squash and cranberry, followed by apple pie a la mode, was prepared by high school Culinary Arts students under the supervision of Tom Cardon, Richard Brunet and David Ginivisian.