By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the intersection of Washington Street and Myrtle Street last week on reports of a motor vehicle accident with injuries.

Upon arrival, the officers observed a vehicle in the street turned sideways with heavy damage to the driver’s side rear quarter panel. The driver’s side curtain airbags were also deployed.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

A couple of years ago, we had to retrieve one of my favorite scarves that I left at Burton’s Grill in Burlington. I decided since it was right there, I’d do a little shopping at the Market Basket in the same complex.

Damage to the parked vehicles. — Photos courtesy of Somerville Fire Department

The Somerville Fire Department was notified of a fire in a parking garage at 449 Canal Street at 220 a.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the garage and a fire on the fourth floor on the Great River Road side of the structure. The fire destroyed four vehicles and damaged a fifth. Heat from the burning vehicles also resulted in a portion of concrete collapsing. Three firefighters were injured by the falling section of concrete. Two other firefighters suffered minor injuries.

Ward 5 Councilor Niedergang has voiced concerns about adding additional personnel to the current Police Department, suggesting instead that a redirection of funds would be optimal.

By Alex Reidy

At the latest meeting of the Somerville City Council, Ward 5 Councilor Niedergang responded to Acting Somerville Police Chief Charles Femino’s ten-page paper on SPD staffing with an alternative method on how to go about “reimagining policing” and budget allocations.

Refining city policy on the use of surveillance technology and review of policing policy were highlighted topics at the latest meeting of the Legislative Matters Committee.

By Joe Creason

The Legislative Matters Committee held a remote meeting on Thursday, February 18. Five City Councilors as well as the City Chair, Vice-Chair, Liaison and Clerk, were present to discuss and approve matters on the legislative agenda.

The Surveillance Technology Use Policy has been an ongoing issue in Committee talks for the past several months. Impact reports, drafted for the use of each type of surveillance technology, were examined by the Committee. The ordinance language was reviewed to ensure that effective oversight could be carried out in every instance of surveillance technology use by a city department.

The City of Somerville Veterans’ Services Department invites members of the public to join a drive-by birthday celebration to honor World War II veteran and 75-year Somerville resident Marvin H. Spitzer on his 100th birthday. 

City Councilor Katjana Ballantyne is asking for your assistance in helping families at the Clarendon Hill Towers. She writes, “As we reach the one-year mark of living in a COVID pandemic, I know this last year has been intense and stressful for many of us. It has also been nearly a year since I let you know about 25-30 families at Clarendon Hill Towers who needed extra help with food, and incidental items. YOU GAVE! Nearly every month for about nine months we received donations of food, face masks, grocery certificates, personal hygiene items and more for our neighbors. Thank you! The duration of the pandemic has even more added economic pressures on our families, I am asking if you can help about 60 families at Clarendon Hill Towers. The request this time is the need for a $20 gift certificates from either Stop & Shop or Market Basket. Due date is Sunday, February 28 end of the day. Drop off at 49 Russell Road (last house in dead end), front porch, deposit in box on red Adirondack chair. (please no cash or checks) OR … Purchase online https://marketbasketfoods.com/gift-cards/ for Market Basket gift card and https://stopandshop.com/pages/gift-cards for Stop & Shop gift cards fill in order and name on gift card, fill out to Yetsanaira (Jessie) Alvira, Clarendon Hill Towers, Resident Services Coordinator, email: YAlvira@firsthartford.com, 1372 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144, 617-625-7150.”

Eagle Feathers #224 – Washington Irving

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Washington Irving was born in 1783 in Manhattan near the Hudson River during the last week of the Revolutionary War and died 76 patriotic years later. During his lifetime, he was known as a man of stories and letters.

His early writings spawned a wondrous mythology of Dutch Colonial New York, coining its townsmen the Knickerbockers and their city Gotham. He loved the Hudson River and built his home, Sunnyside, near its shore in Tarrytown.

Last week’s news that schools in Somerville will be partially reopened – tentatively scheduled to commence the first week of March – has been extremely well received by many, but also met with some trepidation by those who are concerned that it may be too soon, considering the extent to which the coronavirus pandemic still affects so many.

The first phase will only bring students in High Needs Special Education programs, English Learner programs, and Pre-K and Kindergarten back to the classrooms at first, with grades 1-8 to follow later.

Marlene Dietrich visits troops during World War II. — Photo © USO Photos

The United Service Organizations (USO), the nation’s leading not-for-profit charity that serves the men and women in the U.S. military and their families, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.