– Photos by William Tauro
*

By William Tauro

Somerville Police and NEMLEC SWAT team were called in late Wednesday morning for a possible hostage situation at 98 Elm and Cherry Streets in Somerville.
Streets were closed and sealed off as a safety precaution surrounding the Elm Street area for a half mile radius as hostage negotiators tried to talk the allegeded suspects out of the house to surrender.
Two alleged suspects were placed in custody while a third  remained in a standoff with police.

Police stormed the Elm street residence at 1:15pm and apprehended the final
alleged suspect.

State Police demonstrate how department k-9's behave.- Photo by Dave Krugman

Click on the video below to watch  the police demonstration given at  the seventh annual National Night Out against crime and drugs held Tuesday night at Foss Park.

The Somerville Police demonstrate the power of a K-9 unit.

By George P.  Hassett

An Everett man struck a 23-year-old man in the face with an empty beer bottle July 28 in Somerville, police said.

- Photo by Andrew Firestone

Somerville pol: ‘Corruption’ tainted process

State representatives Denise Provost and Carl Sciortino and state Senator Pat Jehlen  opposed a plan to build three casinos and two slot parlors for racing tracks  – in part because of a no-bid licensing plan for the race tracks.

“I think it is a corruption of public process for private profit,” Sciortino said of gaming lobbyists and the legislative process surrounding the issue.

Tonight is the Mayor’s annual Boston Harbor cruise leaving Long Wharf at 7 p.m. but boarding is at 6:30, nothing like a night time cruise of Boston Harbor watching the city of Boston lights, food and entertainment.  Hopefully it’s George “just make a request” Landers doing the DJ’ing. Watch out though, news talkers will be on the boat…just say “off the record” before everything you say.

*
*********************

*
Mayor Joe’s Annual Elderly  picnic is August 11 and another huge crowd is expected to come out to celebrate summer here in the city. This is the 30th anniversary since former Mayor Gene Brune started it way back in 1980, he will be on hand to say hi to everyone. The food, gifts and entertainment are always good for the hundreds of elderly that show up.

By Tom Nash

As the state continues workshops to help residents apply for loans to repair property damaged by last month’s flash flooding, the city announced Monday that mold growth will keep the Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center closed at least until the start of the school year.

The closure, in effect since last Thursday, will allow cleanup crews to remove mold from inside the first floor walls of the building and install new ventilation systems. The goal is to have the building ready by the first day of school, on Sept. 13.

- Photo by George P. Hassett

By George P. Hassett

The former headquarters for a notorious criminal gang reopened Sunday – this time as a church.

Somerville Church of God on Marshall Street is the new tenant at the old Marshall Motors site, formerly owned by Howard T. Winter and a longtime headquarters for the Winter Hill Gang.

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

With a tap on the shoulder, like a baton race, a member of the troupe waiting at the side of the stage forces the sketch to its transition, ousting the tapped member, and introducing their own inventive humor.

Somerville comedy troupe Awkward Compliment is comprised of Matt Gudernatch, Casey Hime, Brian Dibello, Patty Barrett, Mat Dan, Mark O’Connell, and Ryan McFarland. They have been together, on stage, for over a year now. On Thursday at 8 p.m. they perform at the Somerville Theatre.

By George P. Hassett

A Somerville man driving drunk at 7 a.m. crashed into a pole on Hinckley Street Sunday and had to be helped out of the smoking car by a neighborhood man, police said.

After the crash the driver, Luis Majano, 40, and two other occupants tried to leave the scene on foot – one man did get away before officers arrived, police said.