The Somerville Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is holding their annual Community Preservation Plan public hearing on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the 3^rd floor Community Room at the Visiting Nurse Association, 259 Lowell St. The Community Preservation Plan establishes the annual funding priorities and allocations for the three categories that Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds can support. The draft plan is available at www.somervillema.gov/cpa.

It is bittersweet news that SMC announces the departure of Erica Jones. After more than 7½ years working at Somerville Media Center, Jones and her partner Vanessa are moving to the NYC Metropolitan area. As the staffer with the most tenure at SMC, Erica has witnessed some significant milestones of this place – a full staff and board turnover, rebranding to become Somerville Media Center, incorporation of BostonFreeRadio.com into its activities, VOX POP and more.

Join the City of Somerville’s Mobility Division, State Senator Pat Jehlen, State Representative Mike Connolly, and City Council President and Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin for a community meeting to discuss the needs at the Kensington Connector. The Kensington Connector is the pedestrian crossing under I-93 at Mystic Avenue between the East Somerville Neighborhood and the Assembly Square neighborhood. The meeting will be held on Monday, March 30, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the East Somerville Community School cafeteria, 50 Cross St.

Today is my last day with the City of Somerville. I can’t officially leave without saying thank you for making the last 13 years so memorable. By far the hardest part of leaving this job is the people I’ve met; you all are some of the most dedicated and talented people and I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to work with you.

Normally there is an editorial from Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone in this space, but this week the city is instead sharing important information about Novel Coronavirus.

Novel coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) is a virus that emerged in December 2019 in China. Like the flu, it is a respiratory disease, meaning it primarily affects the lungs. While some cases can be mild, some people may develop more serious complications, and in some cases the virus can be fatal. Currently, worldwide, approximately 2% of cases have resulted in death.

Update from the Somerville Police Department: While a suspect has not been located in this afternoon’s armed robbery on Somerville Ave., Somerville Police have no reason to believe that the suspect remains in the Somerville area. As always, however, please remain alert to your surroundings and if you see anything suspicious or concerning, please call the Somerville Police at 617-625-1600. If there is an emergency situation, always call 911.

Somerville Police are searching for a suspect in an armed robbery in the Union Square area. The suspect was involved in a robbery in the Target parking lot on Somerville Ave., and fled toward Merriam St. The suspect is described as a black male, wearing a black jacket over a gray hooded sweatshirt, black jeans, and a “beanie” hat. He may be carrying a firearm.

By Jim Clark

A Somerville Police officer on patrol in the early morning hours of last Saturday observed a fight taking place in the middle of Elm St., in front of the Burren club. The officer immediately called in to police dispatch to request backup for the situation.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

This article was originally published in the October 5, 2013 edition.

I know this may seem really stupid to some of you but with all the bad news out there, I figured I’d do something completely mindless. I’m very good at that sort of stuff. When I asked the question on Facebook I never dreamed it would get the response it did.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Several local residents got out early to vote in the presidential primary on March 3. This was the scene at East Somerville Community School where Ward 1 Precinct 3 voters turned up to do their civic duty. We salute and thank them, one and all!

See how Somerville voted in the March 3, 2020, presidential primary here.