By William C. Shelton

(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)

Somerville has the worst jobs-to-workers ratio and commercial-to-residential-property ratio in Massachusetts. Both accelerate the displacement of long-term residents, while limiting revenues that can support city services. And a tiny commercial tax base means high homeowner taxes.

(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)

Somerville High School, 1954. We weren’t thinking about the future, only about the upcoming Class Day and then graduation. Later, a train would take us on a trip to a more serious place, a place where we’d begin the process of evolving into adults. It was waiting there at the station. Our teachers were aware of the train, they’d seen it come and go many times. So they continued to feed us huge spoonful’s of knowledge, hoping we’d digest enough of it to be prepared for our journey.

By Jim Clark

Members of the Somerville Police Drug Unit received information from a confidential informant regarding someone who was actively selling cocaine in and around the city of Somerville, according to police reports.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

Opioid-related deaths have increased dramatically in recent years across the Commonwealth, and Somerville is not immune to this tragic loss of life. In 2012, 698 opioid-related deaths were confirmed in Massachusetts and that number has been steadily climbing since. Last year, 1,465 such fatalities were confirmed and another estimated 514 opioid-death confirmations are pending. In Somerville, the numbers are equally heartbreaking. The city saw an increase from 3 narcotics deaths in 2012 to 21 deaths in 2016. Again, that’s 21 lost, when even one is too many.

Applicants invited; train for accreditation to provide basic pro bono immigration services to fellow residents

The City of Somerville invites residents, employees of Somerville nonprofit organizations, and employees of nonprofits that directly serve Somerville residents to apply to participate in an intensive, 40-hour Introduction to Immigration Law class offered in partnership with The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). After completing the course, participants will be qualified to apply for official Department of Justice accreditation that will allow them to help others with immigration forms and applications while serving as a volunteer or staff member of a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 

Somerville Positive Forces, Junior Edition will be out in force sketching smoking prevention messages on the sidewalks of Somerville.

By Charles Lane

Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) has announced that its youth leadership group, Somerville Positive Forces, Junior Edition, will take to the streets on March 8 to promote smoking prevention messages in a colorful way along sidewalks around Somerville High School as part of the National “Kick Butts” Campaign.

Student/actors Emmaleigh DaSilva and Hana Belanger play teens who are discovering the history behind the Prospect Hill Tower in the CPA funded video George Washington on Prospect Hill?

By Jim Clark

A video tour of the Prospect Hill Tower, which was produced in association with and funded by the Community Preservation Act Committee, was premiered for those in attendance at the most recent regular meeting of the Board of Alderman on Thursday, February 23.

Forum panelists (L-R) Robert Coughlin, President and CEO of MassBio; Kermit Baker, Chief Economist for the American Institute of Architects, Peter Bekarian, Managing Director for Jones Lang LaSalle and moderator Somerville Attorney Adam Dash, Esq. — Photo by Kulbako Photo

By Tom Bannister

On Tuesday, February 28, the Somerville Chamber of Commerce held a forum The Next Innovation Center: Why Not Somerville? Over 130 people packed the Holiday Inn to hear industry experts explain what biotech companies are looking for and what Somerville needs to do to attract the next generation of companies.

Iconic Fluff expert and author Mimi Graney will be extolling the virtues and sharing the history of the sticky confection as she offers up her new book, “Fluff: The Sticky Sweet Story of an American Icon.”

By Rebecca Danvers

It has been 100 years since Archibald Query concocted one of the most popular confectionary treats ever to grace our snack trays and tantalize our taste buds, right here in Somerville: the one and only Marshmallow Fluff.