“N-word” controversy in Davis Square
By Neil W. McCabe

The vice president of the Tufts University Latin American Students Association in a letter received Friday complained to the city’s human rights commission about a Nov. 18 racial taunting at Davis Square’s Diva Lounge.

News Talk for the week of Dec. 13

The annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held recently at City Hall with Santa Claus himself in attendance. He looked familiar but our sources weren‚Äôt so sure. One source says its Alderman-at-Large Dennis Sullivan and one source said it was Chris Cringle himself. Our source told us that guy was too big to be Dennis, it must have been Cringle. We say Dennis is almost the perfect size for Santa. Regardless, we couldn‚Äôt confirm it. Does anyone know for sure?    

Still no contracts for police, fire unions
By Andrea Gregory

City officials say they are frustrated at the lack progress in the negotiations for a new firefighter’s union contract, and are blaming the union workers for “a retreat from previous progress.” The city also reported “still no progress with the police union."

3 year old girl found

The child reported by police to be missing for 45 minutes was found minutes ago, in her father’s care.

3 year old girl missing

Police are reporting that a 3 year old Asian female is missing. The girl is described by police dispatchers as being 40 inches in height and 25 pounds in weight and wearing pink pajamas.

Developing…

Reality Bites by James Norton for the week of Dec. 6

“That’s what friends are for”
 

Assuming you made it past the title of my column, I have to start right off by explaining that I‚Äôm not writing a puff piece extolling the virtues of being a good friend and other such blather.  The title specifically refers to the name of the #1 song of 1986 according to Billboard Magazine.
  Needless to say 1986 wasn‚Äôt a watershed year in pop music.

Arrest made in Merriam Street murder

By George P. Hassett

A Dorchester man was arrested and arraigned in Somerville District Court Wednesday in connection with the Aug. 30, Somerville murder of Bernard Johnson, 22, of Worcester. 
  Walter Norris, 20, of Dorchester, is charged with murder.   

Privitera charged with negligent homicide
By George P. Hassett

A prominent Somerville attorney and businessman will be arraigned on charges of negligent homicide one year after a fatal accident took the life of a Tufts University student.
   A clerk magistrate found probable cause to charge Francis D. Privitera in the death of Boryana Damyanova, 22. Damyanova was struck and killed Nov. 22, 2005 when she was crossing Broadway at Wallace Street near Powder House Square. She was struck by Privitera as he was driving west on Broadway at 6:20 p.m. at a well-lit crosswalk, said Capt. Paul Upton of the Somerville Police Department.

News Talk for the week of Dec. 6

It sometimes pays to be cancelled – take for instance the Mayor‚Äôs fundraiser that was cancelled by the Rack in Boston over the threat of the Union‚Äôs picketing.  The Mayor‚Äôs people got right on it and didn‚Äôt miss a beat – same day, same time, just about the same location‚Ķthis time at Boston Rocks – a place over the Quincy Market in Boston.  The event was totally jam-packed ‚Äì at one point it was literally wall-to-wall with people.  Mayor Joe was excited and he should be  – it seemed like it was successful in many ways.  Some Aldermen were missing from the event, but one of his strongest supporters on the Board, the current President – Maryann Heuston, gave a rousing speech on the good things happening within our city because of Joe Curtatone being Mayor.  By the way, he made it perfectly clear to everyone that he‚Äôs not going anywhere anytime soon ‚Äì that he enjoys being the Mayor of Somerville and he made a statement saying he has a lot more to accomplish.