Thirty-fourth Middlesex District State Rep. Christine Barber.

Representative Christine Barber’s bill to require health plans to regularly update their provider directories was included in an omnibus Children’s Health and Wellness bill that was passed in the House and Senate last week.

Both the House and Senate passed versions of a package earlier this year, containing many important provisions to support the health and wellbeing of children across Massachusetts. A Conference Committee, comprised of members of both branches, recently finalized a compromise package, which includes language championed by Representative Barber (Somerville and Medford) on an important initiative to improve access to care.

Arrests:
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Samuel Wilson, November 20, 11:05 p.m., arrested at Fitchburg St. on charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle and operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.

William Morris,  November 21, 2:23 p.m., arrested at Mystic Ave. on a warrant charge of possession of a class C drug.

Public Hearing: City Council Traffic and Parking Committee of the Whole & Traffic Commission Joint Public Hearing on Broadway Bus/Bicycle Lanes

The City Council Traffic and Parking Committee of the Whole and the Traffic Commission invite community members to a joint public hearing on Monday, December 9, at 6:00 p.m., to provide feedback on the design and implementation of the new traffic configuration on Broadway in Winter Hill, which features dedicated bus and bicycle lanes. The public hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers, 93 Highland Ave.

Join Mayor Curtatone and city staff for Somerville’s 2019 holiday celebrations throughout the month of December.

We’ll kick off on Thursday, December 5, with the Christmas Tree Lighting on the City Hall Concourse, followed by a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus in the City Council Chambers. All children who attend will receive a special gift from Santa. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with live entertainment prior to the official tree lighting. Santa Claus will, as always, be escorted by the Somerville Fire and Police Departments.

Hanna Kafil, of Cambridge, receives a hug and the Compassionate Care Professional Award from Dana Beguerie (right) of Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) at Serving Seniors 2019. Kafil was also recognized by (from left) Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs Elizabeth Chen and SCES Director Paul Hollings. Hosted by SCES, the annual event recognizes those who help local older adults maintain independence and well-being.

Eight advocates, care providers, and volunteers were recognized for outstanding efforts on behalf of older adults at Serving Seniors 2019.

The awards ceremony was hosted by Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) on November 7. The primary theme was recognizing those who have made an impact in the lives of local older adult, something SCES Executive Director Paul Hollings said he’s seen firsthand over the past year.

Want more locally grown media? Consider a donation to SMC this #GivingTuesday season.

December 3 is #GivingTuesday and we encourage you to support Somerville Media Center this giving season. SMC’s mission is to provide access to electronic media-making through low-cost media education workshops, equipment and facility access, and collaborative distribution on SCATV Cable Ch.3, BostonFreeRadio.com and SMC’s web and social media presences.

Sign Up for City Alerts to be Reminded of Snow Emergencies and Parking Regulations

As snow season approaches, the City of Somerville reminds all residents that because this winter season begins in an odd year,  snow emergency parking is allowed is the odd side. The city’s snow removal policy for public streets requires that residents park only on one designated side of the street during snow emergencies (unless otherwise posted). One-sided parking is needed to allow plows to push snow to the other side of the street to ensure safe passage for emergency vehicles and others. Any exceptions for designated streets will be posted with official roadside signage. For example, roads that have parking only on the even-numbered side of the street year-round will also park on the even side during snow emergencies.

(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 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

From a gift certificate for floatation therapy to a lunch pit stop for handmade-that-day Bengali chickpea fritters drizzled with mango-mustard sauce, holiday shopping in Somerville is worlds away from a day at the mall. And all the while, when you shop local here, you can pat yourself on the back for doing good. That’s because your support for our small, locally owned businesses is vital, especially for businesses in neighborhoods experiencing construction.

By Jim Clark

Police officers inside of the Somerville Police Sub Station on Broadway heard a loud screeching sound and a loud bang that is consistent with the sound of a motor vehicle crash last Wednesday evening. This was followed by a screeching sound getting closer to their location.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Today bicycles are everywhere. They’re beside us, behind us, in front of us, and amongst us everywhere we go, even on the sidewalks. Bicycles have become a very serious, popular and scary mode of transportation. But when I was a kid in the 60’s and 70’s, bicycles were just plain fun. If anyone over 25 rode a bike back then they were probably called hippies.