By George P. Hassett

A Somerville man on his way to play soccer at Glen Park was knocked down and threatened with a large machete and brick before his bike was stolen on April 19, police said.

Paul Yandle, 19, of 30 River Rd., and Joseph Szulewski, 20, of Everett, were two of the four attackers who stole the bike, police said. They were arrested and charged with armed robbery, conspiracy and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

A 47-year-old Somerville woman is claiming she was pepper sprayed and falsely arrested by a Somerville police officer in a federal lawsuit.

The woman, Maria Medeiros, has no criminal record and was a "model citizen" who lived in Somerville for 35 years before her run-in with Officer Michael Silva on August 19, 2008, according to the lawsuit.

~Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

This unregistered motor vehicle was detected at the city line by Somerville Police and pulled over on Washington Street.

~Photo by William Tauro

Somerville Police Traffic officers are cracking down of drivers who speed thru the Union Square area.

~Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Somerville Police Officer Steve Jones on his Medford Street detail has his hands full with an overwhelming volume of vehicles that travel thru that section of Magoun Square everyday.

With road construction going on at the intersection for the next few weeks, expect delays.

By William Tauro

The gigantic American flag that is located in front of the Herb Chambers Somerville Automotive dealership was visible for miles this past Saturday.

Flapping in the breeze during gusty winds, motorist driving through Somerville coming to and from Boston who drove past it on McGrath Highway's upper deck got a bird's eye view of Old Glory.

2.7 Mile Road Race, Children's "Fun Run" to be Held in Conjunction with Mayor's Fitness Challenge; Proceeds to Benefit Somerville Recreation Foundation, Youth Athletics.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that the 2nd annual Shape Up Somerville Road Race will be held on Sunday, May 2nd beginning at 10:30 a.m. with half-mile children's fun run for youth ages 12 years and younger. Following the children's race, a 2.7 mile walk will begin at 10:45, with the race beginning at 11:00 a.m. Both the children's and adult races will begin at the Somerville High School/City Hall Concourse, 81 Highland Ave., and will conclude with a community BBQ.

By Doug Holder
Off The Shelf

Somerville playwright writes Teele Square drama

Somerville playwright Colleen Hughes walked into the Au Bon Pain in Davis Square on a cold and rainy April Saturday morning and navigated the maze of chattering poets of the Bagel Bards, so we could conduct an interview.