Arrests:
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Emmanuel Robles, of Boston, August 24, 3:23 p.m., arrested at Middlesex Ave. on warrant charges of larceny under $1200, shoplifting by asportation, trespassing, and possession of a class A drug.

Mark Rankin, of Everett, August 26, 5:23 p.m., arrested at Somerville Ave. on a charge of shoplifting by concealing merchandise.

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Somerville writer Clea Simon has written a number of books, ranging from a cat/mystery series, to a book exploring the mental illness of her brother. She has a new novel out, Hold Me Down, that according to the publisher’s website is about:

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Gerry Grubbs is an attorney. He has several books from Dos Madres Press, his most recent is Chrysanthemum Moon. This poem touched me because it is about his communication with his late wife. We are sort of fellow travelers.

State bridges, transit hubs, and local buildings to be lit up in purple as part of national effort to remember lives lost to overdose

Massachusetts will recognize August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day – a day held to remember the lives lost to overdoses, to dispel stigma surrounding addictions and to offer hope and recognize individuals’ recovery from substance use disorder.

Purple flags will be placed in remembrance of those in Somerville who have lost their  lives from an opioid-related overdose in 2020. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, and Recovery Month in September, the City of Somerville will plant 14 purple flags on the lawn of City Hall in memory of the 14 Somerville residents who died of an opioid-related overdose in 2020. A larger flag will also be on display in recognition of all Somerville residents who have died of an overdose. City Hall will be lit with purple lights through September to bring awareness to Recovery Month.

 All city staff must be fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021; Somerville School Committee to review vaccination requirements for the Somerville Public Schools at Monday, August 30, meeting

 To better protect the health and safety of staff and the public, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today that all City of Somerville employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of November 1, 2021. The city joins municipalities, states, and employers across the nation, including the U.S. military, who are taking this preventive step to help contain the spread of the virus. Employees will be allowed to apply for certain exemptions.

In recognition of National Wellness Month, riders can take advantage of complimentary trips each week courtesy of Blue Cross, title sponsor of Metro Boston’s public bike share system

To shine a light on the benefits of mindfulness, health and wellness during National Wellness Month, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (“Blue Cross”) offered complimentary Bluebikes rides on “Mindful Mondays” throughout August.  Riders can take advantage of free trips from nearly 400 Bluebikes stations across the system’s 11 municipalities. Blue Cross is the title sponsor of Bluebikes, a publicly-owned bike share managed by municipal staff.

Sarah Carroll, Katherine Carton, and Kaitlynn Cooney will “Walk Your Way” for the iconic fundraising walk for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support all forms of cancer

 21 residents from Somerville will choose their own route on October 3 for the Boston Marathon^® Jimmy Fund Walk: Your Way presented by Hyundai. Participants are encouraged to “Walk Your Way” from wherever they are most comfortable—whether that be from their neighborhood, favorite trail, or from a treadmill in their own home.