Destigmatizing mental health issues within the local Asian community took focus at Saturday’s Somerviva forum. — Photo by Beatriz Leite

By Beatriz Leite

This past Saturday afternoon, the Asian American community of Boston and Somerville gathered at the Somerville High School to learn how to destigmatize and understand the importance of caring for their mental health. This forum was a result of a partnership between Somerviva: Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Somerville Department of Health and Human Services, and the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC).

By Cassidy Beek

Somerville’s Anti-Violence Working Group held a webinar on Thursday, May 25, to discuss the work that it will be doing in collaboration with the Urban Peace Institute (UPI). Denise Molina Capers, the Director of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ), hosted the informational session alongside two representatives from UPI, Eric Lam, the Program Director, and Saul Garcia, the Technical Assistance Coordinator.

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The City of Somerville celebrates Memorial Day with a parade and a ceremony to honor our fallen heroes.

Arrests:*

Anthony Pantone, of Wilmington, May 25, 8:33 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on a charge of fugitive from justice.

Richard Payne, of Everett, May 27, 3:10 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on charges of shoplifting over $250 by concealing merchandise and threat to commit a crime.

City garners highest long-term debt rating from S&P Global Ratings

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is proud to announce that the City of Somerville has been awarded the highest long-term debt rating of “AAA” from S&P Global Ratings, a municipal bond credit rating agency, solidifying the city’s financial stability and creditworthiness. The upgraded rating, which benefits residents by lowering the city’s borrowing costs, reflects more than 20 years of prudent financial management, strong economic growth, and commitment to fiscal responsibility from both the current and previous mayoral administrations. 

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Somerville Chief of Police Charles Femino have confirmed that April Monroe, 48 of Somerville, has been charged with strangulation and assault and battery on a person over 60 causing serious bodily injury in connection with an alleged assault on her mother, Gail Gasperini, 73 of East Boston, who was found dead inside the defendant’s Summer Street apartment on May 28, 2023.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the Marshall’s store at McGrath Hwy. last Saturday on reports of a shoplifter.

While en route to Marshalls, Somerville Police Dispatch informed the officers that the shoplifter had just made threats to employees of the store that he was going to shoot up the store.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

When I was a kid me and my buddies used to march with the Italian American war veterans in the Memorial Day parade. We wore oversized helmets, leggings and stuff like that. We thought it was the greatest thing in the world. We were so proud to march and then go to the party at the club’s headquarters afterwards.

By Ana Celerier Salcedo

This month’s Rodent Issues Special Committee met right in the middle of rat breeding season. The city’s Environmental Health Coordinator, Colin Zeigler, brought the committee a presentation about the new and ongoing initiatives to manage rodent activity within the community.

Olivia Marujo, SHS Class of 2023 Recipient of the “Class of 1960 Scholarship” with Diane Suffredini, representing the Class of 1960.

Last week Somerville High held its Awards Night for the Class of 2023 where scholarships are awarded to the deserving students who have worked for, and won, these accolades.