— Photo courtesy of Alonso Nichols/Tufts University

By Jim Clark

Tufts University student Madelyn Nicpon was attending a fundraising event at a private Somerville residence in support of breast cancer research last Saturday, when she began choking while participating in a hot dog eating contest.

Nicpon was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment after losing consciousness, but passed away on Sunday.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the Target store on Somerville Ave. last Thursday on reports of a shoplifter.

As the officers approached the store, they were informed by police dispatch that the suspect had just stolen from and then left the store.

The store’s Asset Protection agent stated that the suspect was a frequent shoplifter, who hits them quickly then heads to Sullivan Station. Units responded within minutes to Target but could not find the man in question.

If you would like to vote by mail in the November 2 general election, your completed ballot application must be received (not postmarked) by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27.

Voters can download an application at somervillema.gov/VoteByMail or pick one up at the Elections Department in City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue. You can fill out and submit your application on the spot. Please remember that face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Last week’s Porchfest, with huge numbers of people crowding the streets, brought back memories of when I was a kid and played in the neighborhoods. There were kids everywhere. Most streets were two-way back in the 60’s and 70’s. We played games like buck buck and Relieve E O.

L to R: 15 and 15a Elm St. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Eileen Qiu  

A seemingly routine Urban Design Commission meeting turned tense as member Frank Valdes and presenter Mouhab Rizkallah disagreed on plans to reinvent the corner of 15 Elm St. in Somerville.

Valdes said he could not review Rizkallah’s plan because it is not Architectural Access Board Compliant, and he would have liked to see more concrete plans from an actual architect.

A multi-family home in the Davis Square area has a “FOR RENT” sign in its window. — Photo by Melina Nguyen

Mayoral candidates campaign on plans to alleviate it
*

By Melina Nguyen

As prices for rentals and homes for sale rise, Somerville residents worry more expensive housing will lead to dramatic demographic changes. The concern is shared by the Somerville mayoral candidates who’ve detailed their plans to combat the housing crisis on the campaign trail.

By Joe Creason

The Somerville City Council convened for a regular meeting on Thursday, October 19. A portion of the meeting was designated for public hearing where residents could voice their opinion on several infrastructure and community maintenance agenda items.

A grant of location was submitted by the Cambridge Network Solutions to install conduit from the manhole at the intersection of South St and Windsor St and along the Cambridge-Somerville property line.

A 20 mile per hour speed limit in the Powderhouse Circle area was proposed and approved at the latest Traffic Commission meeting. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

On Thursday of last week, the City of Somerville’s Traffic Commission held its monthly meeting. In it, several topics were discussed: ranging from handicapped parking to parking spaces.

The meeting itself was a short one, only 15 minutes, with members of the Commission and members of the public in assistance as well.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Ken Brociner

There are eight candidates running for the four At-Large seats on the Somerville City Council. For most people in town, trying to figure out who to vote for on Nov. 2 isn’t going to be an easy task. With that in mind, I’m going to offer my own views on each of the candidates in the hope that it might help you think through which four would most effectively guide our city in the years ahead.