The City of Somerville and the Somerville Public Schools take part in an MLK Day virtual celebration.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health  announced that the first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 has been detected in Massachusetts. This is the same variant initially discovered in the United Kingdom. The individual developed symptoms in early January and tested positive for COVID-19.  A genetic sample was sent to an out-of-state laboratory as part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) established surveillance process to identify COVID-19 variants. The State Public Health Laboratory was notified last evening of the results.

Nathan Lamb is Director of Outreach and Community Relations at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services

By Nathan Lamb

The pandemic of 2020 created many challenges. Staying connected is high on that list for most of us.

I can speak from personal experience on this one. 2020 was the first Thanksgiving I could not visit my parents. Instead, my mom arranged a last-minute Zoom call with the extended family.

Due to the MLK Day holiday weekend, parking meters and resident parking enforcement will not be in effect on Monday, January 18.

Starting on Monday, trash and recycling pickup will be on a one-day delay for the rest of the week.

Somerville’s newest green space at the former Powder House Community School is now open. The new park includes 16 new trees, many native plant species, the city’s first public bike repair station, and seating and an amphitheater made from reused materials from the school building. Along with the park, the pathway connecting Holland Street and Broadway has been reopened. The park adds an additional half an acre of open space to the city.

The Somerville Public Library (SPL) is launching a new Pathways to Citizenship program for English-language learners seeking U.S. citizenship. With funding provided by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the two-year program will create a 14-week combined language and civics class, provide naturalization workshops, and expand related library materials offered at each of Somerville’s three branches. 

The City of Somerville’s Prevention Services Division, in partnership with Cambridge Health Alliance, will host a virtual photovoice exhibition facilitated by Somerville youth to raise awareness about underage problem gambling. Photovoice is a method of exploring social issues that empowers individuals to tell a story through photography. The event will be held on Thursday, January 28, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Visit somervillema.gov/ProblemGambling at that time for a link to attend. 

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the Temple and Derby St. area on reports of a man wearing a blue mask, yellow hooded sweatshirt and backpack, riding a blue bicycle and circling the area, suspiciously checking out houses.

Shortly thereafter, the officers located a man matching that description in the area of 49 Fellsway West (Foss Park), just a street over from where the reporting party observed the suspicious individual.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Being born in Somerville in 1953 and growing up here in the 60’s and 70’s, there were certain stories and tales that bordered on reality. Was there really a kid that hung around playgrounds stealing kids’ balls and then biting the air valve? Fact or fiction? Let’s go back…