Two-time Olympic medalist Nick Willis will be among those competing at the second-annual adidas Boost Boston Games distance festival at Dilboy Field on June 2.

By Rebecca Danvers

Olympic medalists, American Record-holders and NCAA Champions are among the first stars set to compete at the second-annual adidas Boost Boston Games distance festival in Somerville on June 2.

As the summer season approaches, the Somerville Arts Council continues with one of its popular city-wide event series: Puppet Palooza! Events like this, along with PorchFEST and Dancing in the Streets, allow the community to participate, interact, and engage in non-traditional ways in untraditional venues while cultivating the idea of Somerville as a cultural arts incubator without walls.

Topsoil to be added to the sides of the newly paved Community Path between Davis Sq. and Cedar St.

On Monday, May 22, 2017, a portion of the Somerville Community Path (Davis Square to Cedar St.) will be closed as City contractors add topsoil to the sides of this newly paved section of the path. During this work, this portion of the path will be closed for all users, and both pedestrians and cyclists are advised to use the detour route, Morrison Ave., which provides access to Highland Rd., Willow Ave., and Grove St., during construction. This work is the final step in the repaving process and the path will be fully open for use at the end of the work day on May 22.

The City of Somerville wishes to pass along the following information about street closures and parking restrictions related to the City’s Veterans’ Memorial Parade, which is taking place THIS SUNDAY, May 21. The annual parade will step off from the City Hall Concourse at 1:00 p.m., continuing onto Highland Ave. and Holland St.

Again, please note the following changes for the 2017 parade:

1. This year’s parade is one week earlier than usual.
2. This year’s parade will end at the fire station in Teele Sq., NOT at North St.
3. The reviewing stand will be in Davis Sq., NOT at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery.

By Jordan Deschenes

City Clerk John Long swore Ashley McLain into the Somerville Police Department at last week’s Board of Aldermen meeting. McLain grew up in Somerville and had aspired to be a police officer her entire life. She also served in the U.S. National Guard from 2009 to 2010.

By Joe Beckman

(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)

In 1924, Upton Sinclair wrote a book on schools called The Goslings. He wrote, “The purpose of this book is to show you how the ‘invisible government’ of Big Business which controls the rest of America has taken over the charge of your children.”

By Jordan Deschenes

Theresa Needham, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, stood as she was honored at last week’s Board of Aldermen meeting. Needham served in both the Air Force and Army. She now serves at George Dilboy Post. “This is an honor. It is an honor to serve my community at Dilboy Post through my years now, and I am grateful to be able to live here,” Needham said, smiling and looking around at those in the room.

To provide background, answer questions, and take public testimony regarding the proposed fiscal year 2018 Somerville Water and Sewer Rate Charges, an Informational Session with Q&A followed by a Public Hearing was held on Monday, May 15th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Somerville High School Cafeteria, 81 Highland Avenue.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the TJ Maxx store at Assembly Row last week on reports that a shoplifter exited the store and refused to return the stolen merchandise.

While en route to the store, the officers were informed that the suspect was walking towards Assembly Row. They were able to locate and stop the suspect, later identified as Deanne Fronduto, of Medford, at the intersection of Assembly Row and Artisan Way.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

Taking a closer look at this month’s notable city data – and interesting numbers.

11,156: That’s the total number of calls related to traffic and parking topics that 311 has fielded so far this year. Traffic and parking calls continue to outnumber any other call topic (although we have seen a slight reduction in the number of calls compared to last year), and the calls we receive fall into 48 different traffic and parking categories. Of those, one category accounts for more than 25 percent of calls: obtaining a parking permit.