Because West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in surrounding communities, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has raised Somerville’s WNV risk to high. To date, no WNV has been detected in Somerville.

Residents should take precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases, including WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

By an unanimous vote of the Somerville Board of Health, the local eviction moratorium is extended until April 30 of next year.

For everyone who owes back rent/mortgage and every landlord looking to collect back rent, there is rent/mortgage assistance available. Contact the Somerville Office of Housing Stability at 617-625-6600 x2581 or the Community Action Agency of Somerville at 617-623-7370.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the City of Somerville’s Department of Veterans’ Services invite residents to join the annual procession and memorial ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Anyone interested in joining the procession should meet at the Cedar Street end of the Community Path at 9:30 a.m. At approximately 10 a.m. there will be a speaking program and the presentation and retiring of the colors by the Somerville Police and Somerville Fire Honor Guards at the 9/11 memorial in Davis Square.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to a Foley St. location last week on reports of a breaking and entering of a motor vehicle.

Upon arrival, the officers were met by the two victims of the incident, as well as an employee of the Row Hotel. The employee stated that a white male wearing a Boston Red Sox baseball cap, with a blue mask, on a moped had broken into a vehicle in the garage of the hotel.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

This article was first published on March 18, 2009.

“When I was a kid,” used to be the beginning of statements made by our parents, but I hear it coming out of my own mouth more and more lately. I can’t believe that I now qualify to talk about “the good old days.” When did that happen?

Mayor Joe Curtatone announced today on facebook: Ever since I announced I would not be running for re-election people have been asking me what I’m doing next. Well, here’s your answer: After I finish my term, I’m going to become the new president of the Northeast Clean Energy Council and NECEC Institute.  See full announcement below.

The Northeast Clean Energy Council and NECEC Institute announced Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone as the organization’s next president. Curtatone will step into the role in January 2022 following the end of his mayoral term.

According to one local resident, trash bins located in public places like city parks should be upgraded to help in rodent abatement endeavors. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Eileen Qiu

A call to action for city officials to supply the Somerville’s 15 parks with solar compacting closed garbage cans came from one resident as she and her friends witnessed rodents rummaging around open trash bins.

Jean Horstman said she, her friends, and her friend’s children were leaving Lexington park one evening when they saw the rats. Horstman realized the open bins in the park present a danger to guests, especially children who may be exposed to rat droppings or urine.