The Green Line Extension project is planning sporadic overnight construction activity within the rail right-of-way between East Somerville Station and Medford Tufts Station starting Friday, July 15, and continuing through the end of the month. 

$293 million FY23 budget delivers on urgent needs and lays foundation for longer-term progress across all departments.​ Major investments include largest increase in history for Somerville Public Schools, nearly $8.3 million for affordable housing, and $1 million for participatory budgeting     

The City of Somerville is entering the new fiscal year with an ambitious slate of funding priorities for the next 12 months and beyond. In late June, the Somerville City Council passed a $293 million Fiscal Year 2023 budget, delivering on Mayor Katjana Ballantyne’s historic investment in Somerville Public Schools and transformative programs supporting youth, affordable housing, climate resilience, and quality of life improvements. The budget also seeks to improve City systems and services that undergird all municipal operations, laying a foundation for a more inclusive, accessible government and stronger, more equitable Somerville.   

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I was blessed to be on the radio for over twenty years. In that time I met some very interesting stars. I realize that the bigger they are the nicer they are, for the most part. What made me want to do a story about these folks was the fact that my friend Larry Storch, a.k.a. Sergeant Agharn from F Troop, passed away in his sleep yesterday at 99 years old.

Sarah Borges will be at The Burren on Saturday, July 16, presenting her “Borges Together Alone Release Show.”

By Blake Maddux

“Been a while now since I’ve seen my friends. Don’t know when I’m gonna see them again,” sings Sarah Borges on the opening track of her new album, Together Alone.

This is, of course, not the first time that a someone has taken to song to express a combination of longing and uncertainty.

Join in Thursday, July 14, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. (rain date July 21) for the grand opening reception of the sculpture, “We Are Still Listening” located at Symphony Park, 46 Pearl St, East Somerville. Come by and meet sculptor Fermin Castro.

The release of formerly withheld case files by the FBI is shedding light on the notorious 1982 killing of Turkish diplomat Orhan Gündüz in Somerville. — Photo courtesy of MuckRock

By Michael McHugh

Forty years ago, in the Spring of 1982, Somerville Police Officers arrived at the intersection of Webster Avenue and Newton Street to a chaotic scene of residents and journalists crowded around a crashed vehicle. The bloodied, bullet-ridden car contained the body of Turkish diplomat and businessman Orhan Gündüz, assassinated in broad daylight during his drive home.

The effort to make significant renovations to Henry Hansen Park are progressing well, according to information shared at last week’s community webinar. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Mina Rose Morales

On Thursday, July 7, at approximately 6:00 p.m., there was a community webinar via Zoom regarding the Henry Hansen Park project. The online meeting was hosted by Arn Franzen, the Senior Project Manager, D.J. Chagnon, the landscape architect, and Ted D. Louis-Jacques, the director of veteran services for the city of Somerville. The webinar was open to the public and a Q&A was held at the end. Multiple community members expressed concerns and asked questions.

The Rumstock Music Festival, hosted by ONCE Somerville, lit up Boynton Yards last Saturday with rock and roll revelry.

By Raga Chilakamarri

An older woman sporting a shiny, grey bob cut and dark sunglasses grooved to the music, her right hand bumping up, clasped around a can, her red lipstick loud like the guitar riffing, and her leopard-print bag thumping against her side. She wore a dark blue jean jacket and a denim skirt to match; her fishnets ended in edgy Vans. She was rocking out.

The Red Cross’s regular blood drive returns to the Armory. The blood drive will take place today, July 13 from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. Please consider donating. For more information visit www.redcross.org