Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Powder House Park has a history that dates back to the Revolutionary War in the 1700’s. It also has another history that dates back to the 1970’s when it was the cool place to hang around.

When Archie rode a flaming skateboard from “up top” all the way “down bottom” to College Ave., that was historic. You can see more history if you look at a tree down bottom that has the initials “JF” and someone else’s initials that are now unreadable. “JF” was a kid who dated my sister. He was quite the Romeo.

Pictured top row L-R:  Coach Ronald Freeman, Reese Freeman, Mika Dimagiba, Trinity Stiles, Gia Spires, Olivia Spires, Gianna Stiles, Maria Garcia, Coach Israel Garcia. Bottom row L-R: Arielys Lopez, Aria Bruce, Leilah Denning.

“After four years of coaching this team and a very disappointing loss in the finals two years ago, we finally WON the 7th grade girls basketball MetroWest ‘Championship’ tournament,'” said Coach Israel Garcia. Garcia praised the team, “These girls deserve to be CHAMPIONS. They work hard, relentless, teamwork and pride.” 

Lindsay Jean Huber, 69, passed away on March 5th, 2025 at her home in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. Lindsay was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Barbara Huber, her sister Nancy Coutoumas, and her brother Keith Huber and her best friend in life Kathleen Mckenna. Lindsay is survived by her Brother Kenneth Huber, wife Lorraine Huber, Brother Richard Huber, wife Pat Huber, Nephews Ryan, Kyle, Scott and his wife Jennifer Huber, Eric Coutoumas and his wife Tricia Kimball, and niece Brittany Huber, as well as several great nieces and nephews. In life Lindsay loved spending countless hours on the New Hampshire and Maine Sea Coasts. Lindsey began her career at Boston Children’s Hospital and went on to become a Psychiatric Nurse and worked for several hospitals and heath institutions where she was an advocate for many patients who suffered with Psychiatric Illness. For everyone who knew Lindsey they were always blessed with the outpouring of love that she bestowed upon them. Lindsay helped and supported so many of those in need throughout the course of her life and will always be remembered for her love and generosity. Lindsay loved her family and was always very much supportive of all of her nephews and her niece.

(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)

Tufts student taken into custody

Dear members of the Tufts community,

We have received reports that an international graduate student was taken into custody this evening by federal authorities outside an off-campus apartment building in Somerville. The university had no pre-knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities prior to the event, and the location where this took place is not affiliated with Tufts University.

By Carlie Lombardi

Somerville city officials presented a sweeping set of zoning changes last week in a joint meeting of the Land Use Committee and Planning Board. The proposals aim to support the city’s creative community and growing climate tech sector while laying the groundwork for the redevelopment of the former Ames Business Park, now known as Somernova.

The Bike Travel Film Festival was held at the Somerville Theatre on Tuesday, March 18.
— Photos by Jeffrey Shwom

By Jeffrey Shwom

Bike and travel enthusiasts attended the 15th Annual Ciclismo Classico Bike Travel Film Festival at the Somerville Theatre, on Tuesday, March 18. Guests watched eight short films, including scenes of grasslands of the Central Plains, a foursome’s ride through The Balkans, adventure biking in Socotra off the coast of Yemen, and a mountain biking community in the Navajo Nation in Arizona. The audience then voted for their favorite film on paper voting cards. When asked if they biked that night, about one-third of the crowd gleefully raised their hands.

(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)

By Mayor Katjana Ballantyne

As we approach this year’s Transgender Day of Visibility, we must reckon with the fact that our transgender and nonbinary community members have never been more visible – but instead of being supported and celebrated in their identities, our trans friends, family, and neighbors have had a target painted on their backs.

Community members are invited to attend Somerville’s fourth annual Women’s History Month celebration to honor the many contributions of women throughout our history. This year’s speakers include Mayor Ballantyne, Mass State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, City Council President Judy Pineda-Neufeld, School Committee Chair Ilana Krepchin, and Amanda Nagim-Williams, Director of Somerville’s Racial and Social Justice Department. Plus, enjoy light re-freshments and music from DJ L’Duke.The event will take place on Wednesday, March 26, at Somernova (29 Properzi Way) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Learn more https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-womens-history-month-at-somernova-tickets-1259609348469?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawJJ1ZVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZjMwNUItHsvI9uJ592ZIGl7YHaaHmWB8wORiT7tms8Ou8rmr-8I-mXHHw_aem_YWWUJofK-gFerxntpEqmSA.

A suspicious fire involving a portable toilet occurred at 68 Dover Street at approximately 4:53 AM on Saturday, March 22, 2025. This is one of several suspicious fires that have occurred in the neighborhood in the past year. Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to contact Captain Tim Bakey at 617-625-6600, ext. 8405.

Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes the inevitable regular street-sweeping activities throughout the city.

As inconvenient and annoying it may be to comply with schedule, it is an inescapable fact of life for us all and we must make the adjustment accordingly.