Governor Charlie Baker today is urging the people of the Commonwealth to prepare for Hurricane Henri, which is expected to affect much of the Commonwealth beginning Saturday night into Monday, including the potential for strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and power outages. The Baker-Polito Administration is advising everyone to avoid unnecessary travel and for those planning to visit the Cape or Islands this weekend to delay trips. For those that have already traveled to the Cape or Islands for the weekend, they are advised to consider leaving on Saturday or extend their travel plans through early next week.

The Somerville Board of Health (BOH) approved a face-covering mandate for all indoor public spaces at its August 19 meeting that is in effect as of Friday, August 20. The mandate applies to anyone two or older, and face coverings can be removed when people are actively eating or drinking. Masks should have a snug fit and cover the nose and mouth. The order can be read at https://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/COVID-19-Mask-Order-Proposed-8.21.pdf.

John Burgess to receive 2021 Governor’s Awards in the Humanities on October 24. Additional recipients include Annette Gordon-Reed, Heather Cox Richardson, and Sonia Nieto

Mass Humanities announced John Burgess as one of the recipients of this year’s Governor’s Awards in the Humanities 2021 which recognizes individuals for their public actions, grounded in an appreciation of the humanities, to enhance civic life in the Commonwealth. Each year the Mass Humanities Board of Directors selects nominees who are confirmed by Governor Charlie Baker of Massachusetts. 

The deadline to register to vote or update your party affiliation or address for the September 14 preliminary election is Wednesday, August 25, at 8:00 p.m. Massachusetts voters have the option to register online or via a paper form. You can download one from the Elections website or visit the Elections Department in City Hall (93 Highland Ave.) to register in person. Please note face coverings are required in all City buildings. Don’t forget that your form must be returned to the Somerville Elections Department by 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25. 

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to an Assembly Row location last week on reports that a suspected shoplifter was being followed by a TJ Maxx security officer.

Upon arrival, officers were directed to the suspect, Brandon Tracy, who is reportedly known to Somerville Police from previous interactions.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

This article was first published on July 14, 2010.

My kids had turned just about every light in the house on and went out. When they came back, I said, “who do you think I am, Rockefeller?” They looked at me with a very strange expression.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Yart Sale took place on Sunday, August 15 (delayed by rain from Saturday). This unique event, organized by the Somerville Arts Council’s (SAC), invited artists, craftspeople, and anybody else with a creative bent to display their works outside of their own homes for spectators to enjoy and art lovers to make some fine acquisitions. A Google map to participant’s locations was prepared by SAC for use by attendees.

The depths of the suffering borne by the people of Haiti in recent decades – whether hunger, disease, natural disaster, or economic crisis – seems fathomless. But the gauntlet of hardship faced by this island nation has not extinguished the spirit of its people. Even after Saturday’s earthquake, Monday’s tropical storm, the ravages of COVID-19, and the recent assassination of President Moïse, Haitians continue to strive to help one another. They are determined, as we should be too.

— Photo courtesy of City of Somerville

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

On August 5, the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) hosted a virtual town hall in regards to the rising number of COVID cases around Somerville and throughout the Commonwealth.

The meeting, hosted by Economic Development Assistant Nicholas Schonberger and Mayor Joseph Curtatone, mainly focused on the spread of COVID in the city and vaccine statistics throughout the last couple months.

A third virtual town hall meeting covered possible impacts on businesses and the community at large. — Photo courtesy of the Dr. Peter Center

By Camille Andersen

The third virtual town hall on the proposed supervised consumption site (SCS) took place on Thursday, August 12. This meeting focused on the community and business impact of a site in Somerville.

The panelists included Mayor Joe Curtatone, Mélanie Renaud who is a Canadian business owner next to a SCS, Michael Pizziferri who works for the Quebec government from Boston, and TJ Thompson who is a harm reduction specialist.