Thomas J. (“Tom”) O’Brien December 21, 1945 ~ September 9, 2024 (age 78)

Thomas J. O’Brien, Jr. passed away on September 9, 2024, with loved ones by his side. Tom was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on December 21, 1945. He was a resident of Somerville, Medford, Reading and, most recently, Georgetown, Massachusetts.

Following critical utility work, interim paving will support safe travel prior to the full redesign of Highland Avenue 

Beginning Sunday, September 15 at 8:00 p.m., city contractors plan to pave the travel lane (approximately 28-feet wide) surface along Highland Avenue between School Street and Benton Road.  

This is the second part of a two-part interim paving plan. The first part covering the segment of roadway between McGrath Highway and School Street was completed on July 11. 

A pedestrian was struck at the corner of Broadway and Macarthur St early this morning. The pedestrian was rushed to MGH, no reports of the extent of their injuries. Intersection is blocked off as the investigation continues.  Story is developing

(This article first appeared in the July 25, 2019 edition of The Somerville Times)

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

This is the second story I’ve written about my favorite theatre. You may have visited it during the recent heat wave, but as far as I’m concerned the Somerville Theatre has always been cool.

Boys soccer regular season game last fall vs. Malden High School.

By Harry Kane

Sports provides an opportunity to develop and display talents through competition with the goal of achieving an athlete’s potential. Winning is important and gives Highlanders a sense of validation. And becoming a team player, learning leadership skills and practicing good sportsmanship helps build self-esteem and a foundation for lifelong fitness habits that will help students prepare for the future.

(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 Senator Patricia D. Jehlen

I am Senate chair of the Labor and Workforce Development Committee and the Committee on Elder Affairs. Each of those committees produced a major bill this session which passed the legislature and was signed, or is about to be signed, into law.

— Photos by Bobbir Toner

On Sunday, September 8, all breeds of dogs and their owners enjoyed the annual free Somerville Dog Festival. The event held games, training, a fashion show, vendors and food and treats. The Somerville Dog Festival is organized by the Somerville Foundation for Animals, which works to make sure no one ever must choose between caring for themselves and their pets. Through your donations and through our sponsors’ generosity, the festival raises money for the Foundation’s Every Pet Counts Care Van, providing free veterinary care to the pets of homeless and at-risk veterans, elderly, and families throughout Eastern Massachusetts. To learn more visit https://everypetcounts.org/

Somerville to host the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony tonight. To mark the 23d anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville Department of Veterans’ Services invite the community to a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Wednesday, September 11, at 6:00 p.m. in Davis Square. All are invited to gather for the ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial in Davis Square (on the island at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Elm Street).  The observance will honor all victims of 9/11 as well as first responders, workers, and volunteers who rushed to the scene to save lives or to later help carry out the dangerous cleanup. It will include a moment of silence and feature an invocation and benediction by Father Paul Coughlin as well as remarks by Mayor Ballantyne and Veterans Director Jerome Thomas. A bagpipe tribute including Amazing Grace will follow, and attendees will be given individual roses to place on the 9/11 Memorial. The ceremony will be framed by the presentation of and retiring of the colors (national, state, and unit flags) by the Honor Guards of the Somerville Police and Somerville Fire Department.

Crave Cafe is now open and doing business at 198 Holland St. in Somerville. – Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Cathleen Twardzik

Do you have a hankering for a breakfast burrito, a falafel or a burger? Well, Crave Cafe is your next stop in Somerville.

In late August, Crave Cafe opened at 198 Holland St. The cafe, situated where Renée’s Cafe was formally located, between Davis Square and Teele Square. However, it is closer to Teele Square.