City and firefighters reach agreement

After a showdown between the city and Local 76, Somerville's firefighters union, the two parties reached an eight-year labor accord Thursday. The firefighters had won a favorable arbitration decision regarding compensation in December, and last week a judge denied the city's legal challenge of the decision. The city indicated it would need to make layoffs and close down a library to afford the arbitration award. In reaching the labor accord, the proposed layoffs and library closure are now off the table.

Man injured on I-93 North

A Stoneham man was seriously injured Tuesday morning in an accident on Interstate 93 northbound near exit 29 in Somerville. An initial state police investigation indicated the 25-year-old man may have been outside his disabled car when he was struck by a Ford Explorer.

Local leaders react to MBTA's proposed cuts, favor upping gas tax

Somerville's representatives on Beacon Hill said the MBTA's fiscal challenges won't go away, even after the public transportation authority raises fares and makes cuts to service, which it's planning to do. The legislators said the MBTA needs better funding, which requires a different source of revenue. One option they proposed is increasing the gas tax.

City gets $500K grant for new Harris Park

The city received a $500,000 grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to build a new Harris Park in East Somerville. The current Harris Park is run-down and close to the highway. The new park will be moved closer to Broadway and will include play structures, social space, a half basketball court and a water play feature, among other things.