Arrests:*

Anthony Pantone, of Wilmington, May 25, 8:33 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on a charge of fugitive from justice.

Richard Payne, of Everett, May 27, 3:10 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on charges of shoplifting over $250 by concealing merchandise and threat to commit a crime.

City garners highest long-term debt rating from S&P Global Ratings

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is proud to announce that the City of Somerville has been awarded the highest long-term debt rating of “AAA” from S&P Global Ratings, a municipal bond credit rating agency, solidifying the city’s financial stability and creditworthiness. The upgraded rating, which benefits residents by lowering the city’s borrowing costs, reflects more than 20 years of prudent financial management, strong economic growth, and commitment to fiscal responsibility from both the current and previous mayoral administrations. 

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Somerville Chief of Police Charles Femino have confirmed that April Monroe, 48 of Somerville, has been charged with strangulation and assault and battery on a person over 60 causing serious bodily injury in connection with an alleged assault on her mother, Gail Gasperini, 73 of East Boston, who was found dead inside the defendant’s Summer Street apartment on May 28, 2023.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the Marshall’s store at McGrath Hwy. last Saturday on reports of a shoplifter.

While en route to Marshalls, Somerville Police Dispatch informed the officers that the shoplifter had just made threats to employees of the store that he was going to shoot up the store.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

When I was a kid me and my buddies used to march with the Italian American war veterans in the Memorial Day parade. We wore oversized helmets, leggings and stuff like that. We thought it was the greatest thing in the world. We were so proud to march and then go to the party at the club’s headquarters afterwards.

By Ana Celerier Salcedo

This month’s Rodent Issues Special Committee met right in the middle of rat breeding season. The city’s Environmental Health Coordinator, Colin Zeigler, brought the committee a presentation about the new and ongoing initiatives to manage rodent activity within the community.

Olivia Marujo, SHS Class of 2023 Recipient of the “Class of 1960 Scholarship” with Diane Suffredini, representing the Class of 1960.

Last week Somerville High held its Awards Night for the Class of 2023 where scholarships are awarded to the deserving students who have worked for, and won, these accolades.

Program begins June 1 at 5:00 p.m.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Schools GSA invite all community members to honor LGBTQ+ Pride Month by joining the annual Pride flag raising ceremony on Thursday, June 1. The ceremony will begin at 5:00 p.m. on the City Hall Concourse and include remarks from Mayor Ballantyne, City of Somerville LGBTQ+ Liaison Izzy Starr, and representatives from the John F. Kennedy School GSA.

After a five-year closure due to soil contamination,the remediation process concludes at Conway Park.— Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Beatriz Leite

Last Thursday evening, the City of Somerville gathered through Zoom for the last community meeting to conclude the remediation process at Conway Park. The park and the adjective splash pad officially reopened on May 27 after being closed since 2018 after research revealed soil contamination.

By Ana Celerier Salcedo

Following the formal recognition of the Gilman Square Neighborhood Council, members and community members of the Union Square Neighborhood Council voiced their concerns regarding transparency in the city planning and development department.