Lucia was presented with his retirement badge by Chief Charles Breen, surrounded by fellow Somerville firefighters during his final shift on February 25. — Photo courtesy of Somerville FD

Deputy Chief James Lucia worked his last shift with the Somerville Fire Department on February 25, capping a forty-year career with the Department. Appointed in 1980, Lucia served the past twenty-seven years as a Deputy Chief. He was commended for his actions several times during his career, which included the rescue of a child during a serious house fire and a water rescue in the Mystic River.

— Tufts University Photo

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and members of the Tufts Partnership Negotiating Committee invite residents to a community meeting on Thursday, March 5, for an update on the current status of negotiations with Tufts University about a new Partnership Agreement between the city and the University.

Thursday, April 16 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Arts at the Armory

Celebrate and honor the diverse voices and local media showcased on Somerville Media Center TV, Internet Radio, Podcast and Streaming Networks.

The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission is seeking volunteers for its 2020 Docent Program. Somerville’s Docent Program operates on a scheduled basis during the months of May through October. Public openings are offered twice a month, on specific weekend days and on Thursday evenings, at three historic sites: the Milk Row Cemetery on Somerville Avenue, Prospect Hill Tower above Union Square, and the Old Powder House in Nathan Tufts Park.

“SomerVIP” launches March 4 with community event

Program offers incentives, technical support for landlords and realtors who lease to residents holding vouchers.

The Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS) and the Somerville Homeless Coalition are launching SomerVIP, a Section 8 Voucher Incentive Program, and invite community members to a kickoff event on Wednesday, March 4, to learn more, including how landlords and realtors can receive incentives and technical support through the program.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the Home Depot store on Mystic Ave. last Sunday on reports of a shoplifter who refused to stop for the store Asset Protection Specialist.

The alleged shoplifter, later identified as Marc Jacob, was detained behind Home Depot by a police detective.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

“High Yo Fitzie! Hi Mrs. F can Fitzie come out to play?”

Remember when you’d stand outside your friends’ house and “call” for them? Often we’d use a nickname. This is the second story I’ve done on the nicknames we had for each other growing up in Somerville. I asked my Somerville friends to try to recall those shortened names we had for each other and here they are.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone spoke at the “Build Bridges, Not Walls” rally, organized by The Welcome Project in 2019. – Photo courtesy of The Welcome Project

By Shira Laucharoen

Somerville officials and local organizations have been responding to the Trump administration’s decision to deploy 100 border patrol agents to ten major sanctuary cities, including Somerville, in February. These officers will be assisting with run of the mill immigration arrests, in cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The Somerville City Council’s Committee on Legislative Matters addressed a number of issues at its latest meeting, including revisions to the current stormwater ordinance.

By Anna Schaeffer

City councilors JT Scott, Mark Niedergang, Lance Davis, Ben Ewen-Campen and the Committee on Legislative Matters met on Thursday, February 20, to discuss concerns regarding stormwater treatment, surveillance technology and noise in the Somerville community.

Don’t forget Somerville voters can cast their ballots ahead of the March 3 primary election during early voting hours through Friday, February 28. All early voting sessions will take place at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Early voting hours remaining are Wednesday, February 26, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, February 27, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday, February 28, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.