By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Dunkin’ Donuts on Broadway last Saturday morning on reports of a fight in progress, possibly involving a knife.

Upon arrival, the officers found a large crowd of people in the parking lot who had stopped to observe the commotion.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Originally published August 26, 2009.

Here is a little Somerville history for you newcomers – some of it is a review from former columns and supplemented with reader comments. It concentrates mostly on the Davis Square, Powder House Park and Ball Square area – because that’s where I have lived for the last 54 years.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The West Somerville Neighborhood School Winter Concert, Songs of Peace and Kindness, took place on Thursday, January 24,  in the WSNS Gymnasium. All ages performed from the Smile program through Grade 8.

 Alleges violation of RICO, public nuisance, fraudulent misrepresentation, among other claims

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that the City filed suit today against opioid manufacturers and distributors, including the chain pharmacy Walgreens as a distributor, for their alleged deceptive and illegal promotion of opioids and failure to investigate, report, maintain effective control, and take steps to terminate suspicious orders of the highly addictive prescription drugs.

So-called safe injection facilities offer drug users the ability to take advantage of a clean, medically supervised environment, thus eliminating many risks while additionally offering support for getting clean.

By Jim Clark

An order was put forward at the latest regular meeting of the Somerville Board of Aldermen requesting that that the Director of Health and Human Services report to the Board on the feasibility of situating a safe injection facility in Somerville.

Safe injection facilities are legally sanctioned, medically supervised facilities designed to provide a hygienic and stress-free environment in which individuals are able to consume illicit recreational drugs intravenously and reduce nuisance from public drug use.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and law enforcement authorities are requesting assistance from the public on the sixth anniversary of the murder of a store owner in Malden on January 29, 2013.

Shawn Clark was shot six years ago while working at Patriot Skateboards at 804 Main Street in Malden. Since the incident occurred, Malden Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office have continued to investigate the circumstances of Clark’s death. Authorities have made some progress, but no one has been charged in connection with the crime.

The Fifth Annual Chili Cook-off held at the Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill last week brought out the best of chili chefs to compete for bragging rights, while helping to raise funds for Respond Inc.

By Jackson Ellison

Chefs all over Massachusetts came together on Thursday, January 24, at the Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill to compete in the Fifth Annual Chili Cook-off presented by Respond Inc. The goal of the cook-off was to help raise money for Respond’s mission of putting an end to domestic violence.

The chili cook-off had four different awards: best classic, best vegetarian, most creative, and audience favorite.

Stay safe during this week’s extreme cold. Take a few minutes to review Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)’s extreme cold safety tips: http://mass.gov/mema/cold. Also be careful when using space heaters. Make sure to keep them away from anything flammable and use appropriate outlets.

Alex Capobianco, a former Somerville Police officer, was placed under arrest by Medford police after finding him passed out in his parked vehicle. Police said that they found drugs, drug paraphernalia and materials commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Capobianco was arraigned in Somerville District Court Monday on charges that include operating under the influence of drugs and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was released on his own recognizance and ordered to not use drugs. His next court appearance will be in March.

The chances are probably better than even that if you asked just about anybody in the city these days if it’s cold enough for them you might catch a punch in the nose. So don’t risk it.

The record breaking low temperatures aren’t really a laughing matter, so please take the official warnings and tips seriously in order to stay safe and healthy.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has some useful tips that we should all pay close attention to. Here are a few: