The Somerville Public Library will be offering contactless pickup for library patrons starting Monday, July 6. Patrons can request Somerville library materials online using their Minuteman account. Library staff will then notify patrons by either email or phone when their items are ready to be picked up. Pickup appointments will be scheduled by using the Library’s online appointment system on www.somervillepubliclibrary.org, or by calling the Somerville Public Library at 617-623-5000.

The official ArtBeat 2020 graphic, designed by Paula Champagne, seems appropriate for this year’s ArtBeat theme, “Chance.”

The Somerville Arts Council presents: ArtBeat Festival 2020

The festival is very much on, albeit in a different form this year – over the course of eight days, we’ll have some virtual performances as well as some safe real-life happenings, such as art installations popping up and poetry hitting the streets. We believe art plays a more crucial role than ever, in promoting community, supporting our collective mental health, and providing a means for expression and protest. This year the festival theme is “Chance,” which explores all things fluky, unexpected and unplanned. The theme—and our beautiful graphic, designed by Paula Champagne – turned out to be more timely and poignant than we could have imagined.

Somerville Phase 3 reopening and gatherings to follow Boston July 13 schedule at earliest, with possible later openings; additional guidelines to be issued next week

With COVID-19 cases on the rise throughout much of the country, Somerville Phase 3 reopenings — and implementation of gatherings guidance – will proceed on a more cautious schedule than those outlined by the Governor.

The Cambridge Police Department today announced that three suspects have been arrested following a late Thursday night shooting in Somerville. Justin Ellcock, 24, Cambridge, Davel Matthew, 23, Cambridge, and Destiny Banks, 23, Cambridge, were arrested after Cambridge Police Officers observed and stopped a vehicle that Somerville Police were seeking after a shooting occurred in their city. The vehicle was parked on the corner of Davis and Broadway Streets in Cambridge and occupied by a driver and two passengers. A stolen, loaded, high capacity firearm was found in possession of one of the defendants, along with ammunition. Two other firearms were located inside the vehicle.

— Photo © David-Prado / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Saving money is a top priority for many Americans, but it becomes even more important during times of economic turmoil. Luckily, there are many simple steps you can take to eliminate wasteful spending in your daily life.

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

At around 10:42 p.m. Thursday evening, police were dispatched to River Rd in the Mystic Housing Projects for  reports of a shooting. Four victims were transported to local hospitals, one male and three females. One victim is reported to be in critical condition. A vehicle was reported fleeing the scene.  Somerville, Medford and State Police are at the scene.

More information to follow as it becomes available.

Important notes to restaurants with outdoor seating licenses:

Outdoor Seating Licenses do NOT allow any type of outdoor entertainment. You may not provide entertainment, whether live or recorded, outdoors on public or private property.

Message from the City of Somerville:

Police on Monday responded to reports of fireworks being set off from a moving vehicle in the Port area of Cambridge.

After stopping the car, the alleged offender, an unidentified 18-year-old, was relieved of the fireworks, which are illegal to possess, sell or use in Massachusetts.