On Thursday, July 30, the Council on Aging celebrated our nation’s 250th at Dilboy Post with a delicious lunch and great music from DJ Hank. Middlesex DA Marian Ryan visited as a special guest. ~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Recently, I had to go into Cambridge Health Alliance’s emergency room when a close friend was rushed there. Thankfully, they were okay, but then my mind started to go back to my early youth.

The state legislature passed a bill to help older adults age in place in Massachusetts by requiring home care agencies to be licensed and meet standards for screening, training, and supervision. The bill also creates a commission to make recommendations for social insurance for long-term care as well as a Family Caregiver Commission.

The Somerville City Council approved the use of a state grant to purchase and implement body-worn cameras for police officers.

By Christa Lee

City of Somerville’s City Council held a public hearing on July 27 and approved using a $231,635 state grant on police body worn cameras, which expires on August 31. The grant and other funds saved for this reason are expected to cover all costs for the 2027 financial year.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff, or publishers)

The Somerville Human Rights Commission (HRC) released its 2025–2026 Annual Report on the State of Human Rights in the city, finding that while most indicators show that Somerville is a city with many strengths, significant disparities persist. The Commission is urging city leaders, community organizations, and residents to work together to address these inequities through targeted investments and policy action.

The city is inviting residents, artists, cultural organizations, and creative businesses to help shape what could become the first Municipal Cultural Trust in Massachusetts, a new tool designed to protect affordable creative space and prevent artist displacement. Community members can give feedback during a three-part meeting series that begins Wednesday, August 5, at the Central Library (79 Highland Ave.) at 6 p.m. Each meeting will focus on a different stage of the Cultural Trust discussion. Full schedule: https://www.somervillema.gov/news/somerville-seeks-community-input-first-its-kind-cultural-trust

Eagle Feathers #360 – Checkmate

Chess is thought to be almost as old as civilization itself. This two-person strategy and tactical board game dates back at least fourteen hundred years. Game pieces and game boards survived the ancient world from India, China, and Egypt.

Somerville firefighter Robert Whelan in court on Monday. — Photo courtesy of Somerville District Court

A Somerville firefighter, Robert Whelan, has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged World Cup ticket scam. Prosecutors say the firefighter is accused of larceny and forgery after allegedly selling fraudulent tickets to multiple buyers. The firefighter pleaded not guilty in court and was released pending further hearings. City officials have stated that the matter is under internal review, and the case remains under investigation.

After Saturday’s Somerville Democratic Party debate at Somerville High School, City Councilor Will Mbah stopped by a block party on Whitman St., where he was met with supporters.