Somerville was named a Purple Heart City in 2023 . — Photo by Bobbie Toner

Wednesday, August 7 is National Purple Heart Day, which recognizes the nation’s oldest military medal, awarded to U.S. Armed Forces Service Members who were wounded or killed in combat. Here’s how local Purple Heart recipients are being honored in Somerville:

Grants will protect people, communities manage heat and flooding

Governor Healey’s announcement of $52.4 million in FY2025 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grants included just over $12 million in funding for community-designed projects to prevent harm to residents, workers, and resources in Resilient Mystic Collaborative (RMC) cities and towns.

Contactless payments are now available on buses, Green Line and Mattapan Line trolleys, and at all gated subway stations. Riders may use their contactless credit/debit card, phone, or watch to pay their fare.

(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 State Senator Pat Jehlen

There is so much happening in the legislature (not to mention the world) the last two weeks of July!  Conference committees are resolving differences between many bills that have passed both houses. 

(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)

To Whom It Concerns:

I am writing to express my frustration with the ongoing construction projects in Somerville, particularly those on Summer Street, Highland Avenue, and Washington Street between Beacon Avenue and Union Square. The overlap of these significant projects is lowering the quality of life for anyone living near these projects, which cover a significant area of town.

OPENAIR Circus presents “Wild Discoveries,” where students of circus arts show off what they’ve learned in summer classes. You’re invited to watch stilters, jugglers, yoga-acrobats, and more. The shows will be at Prospect Hill Park in Somerville, on Friday, August 2, at 6:30 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday, August 3 and 4, at 2:30 p.m.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Have you seen those robot looking things all over the city? The one in the photo is on Holland St. in front of Harvard Vanguard. I hear they are all over the city. Supposedly it takes a photo of illegally stopped or parked in a no parking zone. We are quickly running out of precious parking spaces in Somerville.