Sheriff and progressives meet to discuss new jail
By George P. Hassett

The sheriff of Middlesex County and the Progressive Democrats of Somerville  (PDS) met Aug. 22 to discuss the plans for a new Middlesex County jail and the possibility of it being located in East Somerville.

Use the bathroom, not the porch please

By George P. Hassett

Two Somerville men were arrested this week when police allegedly observed them urinating off their third floor porch.

Letter to the Editor

Building a Wall of Respect for Women

To the Editor:

The recent destruction of the Wall of Respect for Women painted on the side of the Brooks Pharmacy in Davis Square provides an opportunity for the community to come together and create a new mural honoring women who have made an impact in the City of Somerville and beyond.

Toomey endorsed by progressives

State Rep. Timothy J. Toomey Jr., D-Somerville, was endorsed by the Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) Tuesday.

Toomey answered questions about his voting record on issues such as immigration and abortion. In 2004, when Toomey was challenged by Avi Green for his legislative seat, PDS endorsed Green.

Toomey has represented East Cambridge and East Somerville in the State House since 1994.

The View From Prospect Hill for the week of Aug. 23

Two very different events took place this week in Union Square’s Plaza illustrating why the Square is currently the most exciting neighborhood in Somerville.

Activists call for end to new jail construction
By George P. Hassett

  The Union Square Plaza was one stop on a six city tour Monday for a group of anti-prison activists opposed to a possible new jail in east Somerville. The group, the Statewide Harm Reduction Coalition (SHaRC), called for a moratorium on jail expansion in Middlesex County.

News Talk for the week of Aug. 23

The Web site is beginning to take on a new look. We finally managed to convince George that pictures are a good thing. In a week or so we will be able to take and host online ads ‚Äì classifieds, legal ads and regular links as well as featured logos to click-through.  No pop-ups, no spam, no logging of IP addresses ‚Äì who needs that crap?  We will also be trying to expand our offering of useful, local information with community links.  We now get from 800 to 1000 hits a day ‚Äì which is way beyond normal ‚Äì and we have very few extra papers left over every week, so if someone tries to tell you they don‚Äôt read us ‚Äì we know differently.  If you‚Äôd like to advertise on the website or have a community group or happening you‚Äôd like to place in the paper or on the very popular website/weblog, then call Jamie Norton or Bob Hogan.    

Freshman alderman tackles coffee shops and murals in Davis Square
By George P. Hassett

The alderman for Ward 6 was the guest at The Somerville News contributor’s meeting Friday.
  Rebekah Gewirtz defeated 22-year incumbent John M. Connolly in November to become the newest addition to the city‚Äôs legislative branch. Since then, Gewirtz said the most rewarding part of the job is responding to calls from constituents.

Candidate for governor joins protest in Union Square

Grace Ross, the Green Rainbow Party candidate for governor of Massachusetts, was in Union Square today to lend her support to a demonstration calling for a moratorium on the construction of new jails.

The View From Prospect Hill for the week of Aug. 16

The Someday Café closed forever Saturday. Crepes will soon replace coffee at 51 Davis Square and the Someday will be just a fond memory for its loyal patrons.