About this column:
A summary of the top stories this week in Somerville. Follow the links to read more from this week’s news.
City Breaks Ground on New Stretch of Community PathSomerville broke ground Monday on the first new section of Community Path to be constructed in 18 years. The pedestrian and bike path, which begins in Davis Square and connects to the Minuteman Bikeway in Cambridge, will be extended about one quarter of a mile from its current end point at Cedar Street to Lowell Street. Work should be complete at the end of this fall, according to Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone. Replace Elevated McGrath Highway with a Boulevard, Says MassDOT StudyA study conducted by the Massachusetts Department of …
Highly Anticipated Somerville Restaurant to Open May 15Bronwyn, a new restaurant by Tim and Bronwyn Wiechmann, from Cambridge's T.W. Food, opens in Union Square on May 15. T Rider Wins Rush Hour Race From Davis Square to South StationWhat's the fastest way to get from Davis Square to Boston's business district during rush hour? See results from Tuesday's race. No More Handpicking Replacements, Says Proposed Rule Changes for AldermenThe Somerville Board of Aldermen is drafting new methods for filling vacancies on the Board in the event a member resigns. The issue has been in the public's eye …
First Phase of Assembly Row Hits Home StretchDevelopers Thursday broke ground on the final building in phase I of Assembly Row. When it opens in spring of 2014, phase I will include 450 residential units, more than 200,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, an AMC movie theater, 100,000 square feet of office space and a redesigned waterfront park along the Mystic River. Bronwyn to Open, Rosebud to Close in Mid MayAccording to Boston Eater, Bronwyn, a highly anticipated new restaurant in Union Square from the owners of Cambridge's T.W. Food, could open as early as May 13. May 12 will …
MBTA: Federal Funding for Green Line at Risk Under Recent ProposalA transportation financing proposal unveiled Tuesday by leaders in the state legislature likely won't encourage federal investment in the Green Line Extension, according to the transportation authority. According to a statement regarding the Green Line Extension sent by MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo, "The proposal released [Tuesday] does not appear to provide funding for the MBTA’s 'state of good repair' work, meaning the Federal Transit Administration is not likely to fund any portion of the cost of the $1.3 billion project…
Two Arrested After Winter Hill Armed Home Invasion, ManhuntTwo men were arrested Monday after reports of an armed home invasion in Winter Hill and a brief manhunt in the area. The manhunt caused a lockdown at the Healey School and brought out a helicopter from the Massachusetts State Police Airwing. The two suspects, Edward Anthony Paulino, 19, and Derrick Steven Paul, 22, were also believed to be tied to a similar incident that happened earlier in the day in Medford. The officer who eventually captured Paulino had formerly coached the young man in Pop Warner Football . State Wants Green Line…
Another Snow StormJust before the first day of spring, Somerville experienced yet another snow storm, the fifth to hit the city in five-and-a-half weeks. Somerville declared a snow emergency, school was closed on Tuesday, and about 200 cars were towed. Mayor Tells Business Community, 'We've Created Something Special in Somerville'Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone addressed the Somerville business community Wednesday. He spoke about Somerville's success stories over the past decade, but said, "We're just getting started." He also took questions from the audience, talking, among other things, …
Davis Square Hotel: What Have Developers Proposed?Four development groups have put forward proposals to build a hotel in Davis Square. Here's a quick look at those proposals. Apartment Complex Could Reshape Corner of East SomervilleAn proposed apartment complex in East Somerville could reshape an area that borders Interstate 93. Criterion Development Partners, with offices in Waltham and Dallas, is proposing a 120-unit, four-story building that would be built on a parcel of land currently owned by Stop & Shop. Boston Breakers Soccer Returns to Somerville in AprilThe Boston Breakers, a top …
Dunkin' Donuts Opposes Proposed Somerville Styrofoam BanRepresentatives from Dunkin' Donuts and the Dart Container Corporation, at a public hearing held Wednesday, opposed a proposed polystyrene takeout-food container ban in Somerville, while several aldermen and residents supported the ban. Video: 1951 Somerville Time Capsule Opened by Former Saint Polycarp StudentsA few envelops, an old newspaper, some parish pamphlets, a handful of prayer cards, a few medallions … and a flood of memories. That's what was found in a time capsule that had been sealed in the corner of Somerville's Saint …
Digging out from a blizzardA snow storm dumped nearly 28 inches of snow on Somerville over the weekend, and the city spent most of the week digging out. Schools were closed on Monday and Tuesday, and the city's snow emergency didn't end until Tuesday night, five days after it began. Some expressed frustration that it took so long to clean up after the storm, while others felt it was an historic weather event, something inevitably difficult to deal with. Burro Bar opensA new bar in Davis Square, Burro Bar, opened Tuesday. A sibling of the Painted Burro restaurant, next door, Burro Bar serves …
Man With Pistol Robs Highland Avenue Convenience StorePolice released surveillance video of a man who robbed the QuickStop Somerville convenience store on Jan. 27. The man held the store's clerk up at gunpoint while he took about $1,000 in cash. On Wednesday, police arrested 31-year-old Jonathan Williams of Revere in connection to the Somerville robbery and three other armed robberies in Medford. Julia Stiles Film Shot in Somerville to Re-Air in February"The Makeover," a Hallmark Hall of Fame film starring Julia Stiles that brought film crews to Somerville's Hudson Street in September, …
Somerville Celebrates Martin Luther King DayThe city celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday with a ceremony at Somerville Theatre. Benjamin Echevarria Chosen as New Ward 1 School Committee RepresentativeThe Somerville School Committee selected Benjamin Echevarria as the new Ward 1 representative on the committee. Echevaria fills a seat left vacant when Maureen Bastardi, the former Ward 1 member, was appointed to the Somerville Board of Aldermen. Because he was selected to finish Bastardi's term in office, Echevarria would have to run for election this fall, along with all other elected…
Somerville Among Nation's 16 'Hottest Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods,' Says RedfinRefin, an online real estate company, declared this week that Somerville is one of the "hottest up-and-coming neighborhoods" in the country for 2013. See Somerville's Active Firearms LicensesAmid a national debate about gun control, we looked at how many people have firearms licenses in Somerville Capuano Won't Run for SenateSomerville Rep. Michael Capuano announced this week he would not run for Senate if Sen. John Kerry is confirmed as President Obama's secretary of state. Prosecutors: $770 Strip Club Bill Gets …
Police Helicopter, Dogs, Apprehend Armed Car-Chase Suspects in West Somerville [Photos/Video]Somerville, Medford and state police set up a perimeter in a normally quiet West Somerville neighborhood Monday night after a car chase that started in East Somerville. The chase started after reports of shots being fired, and police conducted a brief manhunt with help from a helicopter and K9s. Three suspects from Charlestown were ultimately arrested on Monday and police found a pistol. Police arrested a fourth suspect on Thursday. Garage Fire Near Davis Square 'Sounded Like a Big Explosion' [Photos]…
City Closes Holiday Inn's 'Night Games' Lounge In Response to FightThe city announced Monday that is was closing, on an indefinite basis, the "Night Games" lounge at the Holiday Inn. The city closed the lounge due to a Dec. 28 melee outside the establishment that led Somerville, Medford and state police to disperse a large crowd. Top 10 Most Expensive Homes Sold in Somerville in 2012This week we looked at the 10 most expensive homes that sold in Somerville in 2012. Fire Companies Fight Blaze at Union Square BakeryThree firefighters were injured—one was transported to Massachusetts General …
Heath Street fireNine people were displaced Tuesday after a fire on Heath Street in Winter Hill. Schools react to Newtown shootingIn the wake of the Newtown school shooting, faculty and staff in Somerville's public schools reviewed safety procedures and protocols, but the school system did not increase security as some school districts, such as Medford's, did. School Committee seeks new memberThe Somerville School Committee announced it was seeking candidates to represent Ward 1—East Somerville—on the committee, and it will make a final decision by Feb. 4. The new member will replace Maureen …
Governor kicks off Green Line ExtensionGov. Deval Patrick was in Somerville Tuesday to kick off construction on phase one of the Green Line Extension. The governor said he was committed to finishing the entire project—phases one through four—even without contributions of federal dollars. Assembly Row developers buy IKEA siteFederal Realty Investment Trust, the developers of Assembly Row, announced this week they were purchasing the 12 acres of land in Assembly Square owned by IKEA. Federal Realty Investment Trust said they plan to build residential and office space on the site, along with a …
Winter Hill shootingA 24-year-old man was shot in the chest on Evergreen Avenue on Dec. 1. The shooting left bullet holes in a nearby car and house, and the incident led some in the neighborhood to form a new neighborhood group. Police said the shooting was related to marijuiana, and police arrested two people in connection to the shooting Friday morning. Announcement on IKEA site coming soonSomerville Mayor Jopeph Curtatone said IKEA, which owns land in Assembly Square and which decided this summer not to build a store at the site, would make an announcement soon about the sale of its …
ElectionThrongs of Somerville residents came out to vote Tuesday, and lines at some polling locations were over an hour long for much of the day. In local races, Question 4 passed, meaning Somerville has decided to adopt the Community Preservation Act. State Reps Timothy Toomey and Carl Sciortino won reelection to the state House of Representatives. Wheatland Street fireA Nov. 3 fire at 84 Wheatland St. displaced six people and caused about $50,000 of damage. The fire was accidental and was caused by an electrical malfunction, according to the Somerville Fire Department. Bank robbery suspect …
Cat May Have Saved Woman's Life in Monday Morning Winter Hill FireAt least six people were displaced, and one woman was sent to the hospital for observation, after a Monday morning fire at 130 Sycamore St. The fire started in the third floor of the multi-unit apartment building, and the third-floor resident may have been saved when her cat alerted her to the fire. Fire officials originally thought the blaze started when a resident fell asleep with a cigarette, but they later determined it was started by a candle. Two other recent fires were also started by candles, and the Somerville Fire …
Woman indecently assaulted in Davis Square Monday nightA 32-year-old woman who got out of the Davis Square MBTA station at about 8 p.m. Monday was indecently assaulted while walking down Dover Street, police said. Gas main break at Maxwell's GreenWorkers digging holes under the Lowell Street bridge ruptured a high-pressure gas main Monday. The fire department evacuated one of the new residential buildings at Maxwell's Green, and police shut down part of Lowell Street until the gas leak was under control.Somerville Progressive Charter School will apply againThe proposed Somerville Progressive …
