A COVID-19 vaccine clinic for initial doses and boosters will be held Wednesday, June 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Somerville Public Library (Central Branch), 79 Highland Ave. An appointment is required. Sign up at somervillema.gov/vaccine or call 311 (617-666-3311).

Funds to support adventure, leadership programming for target student populations

Somerville Public Schools is one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program. The Somerville-based organization was chosen from a total of 580 applicants during a competitive review process. SPS will receive a $25,000 award in the next school year, renewable annually for three additional years.

Failed to implement an enterprise-wide cyber security awareness training program

In an audit of Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) the Office of State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump (OSA) found BHCC did not accurately record and report all federal COVID-19 pandemic related institutional funding. The audit specifically identified the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, or HEERF, I), Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) (HEERF II), and Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund monies, all of which were in a single account of BHCC’s accounting system. Additionally, the audit found that BHCC had not implemented an enterprise-wide cybersecurity awareness training program for newly hired or existing employees. The audit examined the time period of March 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. 

The City of Somerville has passed an amendment to its landmark Housing Stability Notification Act (HSNA) to significantly expand awareness of tenant protections. The amendment requires landlords to provide tenants with information about their rights and resources at the start of all new housing rentals, rather than only when pursuing an eviction, as stipulated in the original legislation. At-Large Councilor Willie Burnley, Jr., originally proposed the amendment. The City Council passed it unanimously, and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne signed it April 28. The amendment will go into effect on July 13.  

State Rep. candidate to hold campaign kickoff June 14 

The campaign to elect Jason Mackey, candidate for State Representative in the 27th Middlesex district, announced its first official event. The Campaign Kickoff will be held this Tuesday June 14 at 6:00 p.m. at The Independent in Union Square.“I’m humbled by the encouragement to run I’ve received from the community,” says Mackey. “I am proud to fight for tangible progress, not just lofty ideals, for Somerville residents.”

Today, June 12, Somerville held two memorial ceremonies in Somerville for Firefighter Memorial Sunday.

Arrow Paper Fire Memorial

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

James J. BremisJune 26, 1928 – June 9, 2022

James J. Bremis, devoted husband of the late Sophie Bremis (Pelevanow), passed gently and lovingly into God’s hands on June 9^th, 2022.  All five of his children were by his side. He will be remembered for his toothy, contagious smile, his vibrant and positive energy, a never-ending love of learning, and a life defined by dedication and faith – a faith that guided him as a husband, father, grandfather, businessman, servant, and leader.  James is survived by his five children, Stephen, Irene, Thalia (Causey, of Carlsbad, CA), Chris, and Maria (of Washington DC), seven grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, son-in-law, Jeff Causey, daughter-in-law, Brenda Hoffman Bremis, and 13 nieces and nephews.  He is the brother of the late John S. Bremis.  He was a bright light and will be dearly missed.

By Susan Pacheco

Change is one of the few constants in life. But sometimes things change for the worse, when a friend or loved one seems to be neglecting their own needs and putting their well-being at-risk.

It’s called self-neglect, and assistance is often available if you know the warning signs.