Being “president of this great university has been an incredible personal and professional journey for me,” said Anthony Monaco. — Photo by Alonso Nichols

Anthony P. Monaco announced last week  that he will be stepping down as president of Tufts University in the summer of 2023.

In a message to the Tufts community, he noted that “there is much I want to achieve over the next year and a half, including successful completion of the Brighter World campaign and continuing to strengthen our academic mission.”

All city offices are closed, Monday, February 21.

Trash and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day.

Somerville Public Schools are closed this week for school vacation.

Students in Corey Merrill’s third grade class at the Kennedy School enjoys snack time at the same time that UPS driver Tyler Kingsbury drives by or delivers packages to the school. The students have always greeted him enthusiastically, and received an appreciative beep or wave in return. When the students learned about Mr. Kingsbury’s upcoming 30th birthday, they organized a surprise party for him that he’ll never forget. Local television station WCVB interviewed Ms. Merrill, her students, and Mr. Kingsbury about the connection they have made. Enjoy this heartwarming story.

PHA pre-K student Theodore, from Somerville, watches the Black is a Rainbow Color workshop with artist Ekua Holmes.

In celebration of Black History Month, renowned artist and award-winning children’s book illustrator Ekua Holmes hosted over 30 Prospect Hill Academy Charter School (PHA) families for an interactive virtual workshop on Thursday, February 10.

Thirty-fourth Middlesex District State Rep. Christine Barber.

On February 16, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted to pass bill H.4461 the Work and Family Mobility Act, filed by Representative Christine Barber of Somerville and Medford and Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, enabling all state residents to apply for a standard MA driver’s license or identification card regardless of immigration status.

Approximately 1:10 p.m. today the Somerville Fire Dept. received a call for a car fire at the corner of Central St. and Medford St. Upon their arrival they found a car fully involved.

A special thanks goes out to the members of the Fire Dept. who extinguished the fire quickly.