Ward 2 City Councilor candidate Stephenson Aman.

By Jim Clark

A number of candidates for political office in Somerville have spoken out in solidarity with a group of City Council candidates of color who voiced outrage at the apparently willful exclusion by Our Revolution Somerville (ORS) of Ward 2 City Councilor candidate Stephenson Aman from participating in their candidate forums, which is part of the process by which ORS decides on their endorsements. The group’s statement can be read here.

On Sunday, June 20, the Somerville. Police Department received information regarding a shooting incident. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 19 at 7:00 p.m. on Mystic Ave. (North) at the traffic light at the Temple St. intersection. The passenger of a silver or gray Toyota pointed a black handgun out the driver’s window and shot at a dark Mercedes in the next lane. Both vehicles then ran through the red light with the Toyota continuing north on Mystic Ave. and the Mercedes turning left on to Temple St. Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the SPD at 617-625-1600 ext. 7235.

The Somerville Licensing Commission Meeting being held today, Monday, June 21, will begin at 6:30 p.m., not the usual time of 6:00 p.m.  Tonight’s meeting includes a public hearing on a proposed cannabis dispensary at 690-692 Broadway. For a meeting agenda and information on how to attend the virtual meeting, click on “Agendas & Minutes” on the Commission’s website, www.somervillema.gov/departments/licensing-commission. Anyone wishing to attend the meeting can also do so directly at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1396454949419782669.

(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)

We are four first-time candidates, long-time Somerville residents, and people of color. We are issuing this joint statement to address a pattern of disturbing actions taken by an organization which claims to be committed to diversity and inclusion, but which has fallen critically short of those values in recent days.

The recipients of the 2021 John O’Neill Scholarships are (from left) Angelie Coulanges, Hiba Khouti, and Manal Khouti. Coulanges is a recent graduate of Cambridge Rindge and Latin. Hiba and Manal Khouti recently graduated from Somerville High School

By Nathan Lamb

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) has awarded John O’Neill Scholarships to support the higher education of three local students this fall.

The following Cambridge and Somerville students will receive John O’Neill Scholarships:

The Somerville Board of Health (BOH) approved a proposal at its June 17 meeting that revises and extends the City’s current residential eviction moratorium for 90 days, until September 15. The BOH also approved ending the commercial eviction moratorium and allowing landlords and their agents to enter residential units for non-emergency reasons, with 48 hours advance written notice to tenants, an opportunity to reschedule where necessary, and provided that COVID protocols are followed. The City’s emergency declaration will remain in effect throughout this 90-day period.

Annual family-friendly film series begins on July 8

The City of Somerville’s annual SomerMovie Fest returns this year with a series of seven family-friendly films being shown in parks around Somerville.

Somerville, Cambridge and Medford fire departments responded to a three alarm fire Friday afternoon on Temple St.

The fire started on the third floor of a three-story residence. The second and first floors were damaged by water. Everyone escaped without any major injuries.

There are reports that there was a loss of two cats and a bird in the fire.

Come to the table to feed neighbors-in-need
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Union Square Main Streets proudly presents the 4th Annual Good Food for All. Back for a fourth year, local businesses, farmers market vendors, and community members have teamed up for this week-long, community campaign to raise awareness and funds for the local SNAP match available at Union Square Farmers Market.