~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Honk! stopped by Somerville High School friday afternoon as the Honk! Festival kicks off! La Fanfare Invisible (Paris, France), Yes Ma’am Brass Band (Austin, TX) and School of HONK (Somerville, MA)  jammed with Somerville’s High’s band.

October 20, 1964 – October 5, 2016

Brennan, Neil P. Retired Somerville Police Sergeant

Of Somerville passed away unexpectedly on October 5, 2016.

Beloved father of Neil P., Jr. and Charlie L. Brennan. Loving son of Christine Brennan Barberis and step-son of John Barberis. Devoted brother of Christine Levesque and her husband Peter, Kathleen Doran and her husband James and step-brother of Jack and Christopher Barberis. Former husband of Julie Brennan.

Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee evaluated for location, security, qualifications

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has accepted the recommendation of the city’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee to allow four* applicants to seek special permits to open medical marijuana dispensaries at four committee-approved locations in Somerville.

By Jim Clark

The Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit recently conducted a surveillance and investigative operation on a Bow St. residence suspected of being the location of a heroin distribution ring.

The primary suspect of the investigation was identified as Deborah Winter. On Saturday morning of last week, surveillance was established around Winter’s Bow St. residence and a warrant was acquired allowing for search of both Winter and her residence.

By Rob Buchanan, Stuart Dash, Bill Shelton and Tim Talun

(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)

On October 18^th the Planning Board and Board of Aldermen will conduct a public hearing on new zoning for Union Square that includes major changes. In many respects, it is an improvement over what exists today. But its far-reaching and, in some cases, troubling consequences merit careful consideration by citizens and policy makers alike.

Lowering of speed limits in residential areas of the city was one of the topics discussed by the mayor and other participants at last week’s Ward 7 ResiStat meeting.

By Joe Ruvido

The fall series of bi-annual ResiStat meetings kicked off last Wednesday at the Neighborhood School on Powderhouse Boulevard in Ward 7. Over complimentary pizza and snacks residents listened in to a slide-show presentation from and asked questions directly to Ward 7 Alderman Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone.

~Photos by Donald Norton

With just one month until the election the Save Our Public Schools No On 2 campaign is heating up in Somerville. Mayor Curtatone, the Somerville Teachers Association, and Progress Together hosted a rally to mobilize around Question 2.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

The first ever ArtsUnion’s AgriCultural Festival took place at ArtFarm in Somerville on Sunday.

The festival is a celebration of everything we grow from the earth, and the people who grow it. This fantastical festival celebrated Somerville farmers, artists and new urban agricultural initiatives. Attendees came out and shared about what they grow and learned from local growers.

The 2016 edition of the HONK! Festival hits the streets beginning this coming Friday.

By Rebecca Danvers

HONK! Festival, the annual 3-day free festival bringing brass bands from all over the United States and the world to Somerville for a celebration of music, community and activism takes place this weekend.

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)

In September, the Prospect Hill Tower reopened to the public. The renovation and preservation of this historic landmark where George Washington raised our first national flag in 1776 marks the first project to be completed in Somerville with Community Preservation Act funds. Residents are now able to take a docent-led tour, climb the tower, and enjoy the panoramic views on select dates. There’s also an option for a virtual tour for those who are unable to climb the stairs. And all of that was made possible because of you, our residents, and your decision to adopt the Community Preservation Act.