https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefsThe daily local brief for Union Square, Somerville, MA.en-ushttps://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-09-02https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-09-02Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000State Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven declared victory Tuesday night in the Democratic primary for the open 2nd Middlesex Senate seat after Burhan Azeem, Christine Barber and Matthew McLaughlin all conceded before midnight. She had 38 percent with 81 percent of ballots counted, built largely on Somerville votes, where she took 6,816 to Barber's 4,391, and gave her victory speech at Sally O'Brien's in Union Square. With no Republican on the ballot, she is poised to succeed Sen. Patricia Jehlen, who is not seeking reelection after more than 20 years.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-09-01https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-09-01Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000In a statement published August 31, on the eve of today's Democratic primary in the 26th Middlesex District, state Rep. Mike Connolly said challenger Neil Miller has made "false and distorted claims" about his work in the Massachusetts House and moved to correct the record. Connolly said he and Miller agree rent is too high, but pointed to legislation he has sponsored and co-sponsored on housing production, tenant protections and affordable housing, and to endorsements from groups including Abundant Housing Massachusetts, Somerville YIMBY, Our Revolution Cambridge, Progressive Massachusetts and the SEIU State Council. The statement ran as a column in Cambridge Day, which notes it does not endorse candidates or positions.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-31https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-31Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Today, Aug. 31, at noon is the last chance to cast an in-person absentee ballot for the State Primary Election. Early in-person voting takes place on the Lower Level of City Hall, 93 Highland St., in the Elections Department. The State Primary itself is Tuesday, Sept. 1.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-30https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-30Sun, 30 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has reported the state's first two human West Nile virus cases of the year, both in Middlesex County. As a result, Somerville's risk level has been raised to high.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-29https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-29Sat, 29 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Middlesex Sheriff's Office and Medford Police warned residents on Aug. 28 to watch for callers falsely posing as law enforcement. In Monday's case, a Medford resident lost $7,500 after a caller claimed there was a warrant out for failure to appear for jury duty, texted a copy of a purported warrant, and directed the victim to pay a fine in bitcoin. Officials said legitimate law enforcement agencies will never demand payment over the phone, and urged residents to hang up and call the agency directly if something feels wrong.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-28https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-28Fri, 28 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000A primer published Thursday lays out where candidates stand in the competitive State Senate and State Representative primaries covering Somerville and Cambridge ahead of the September 1 election. Cambridge Day compiled it from its campaign reporting, candidate websites and information from public forums, focusing on affordability and transparency in the Legislature plus at least one other legislative priority for each candidate.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-27https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-27Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Somerville City Council meets tonight at 7 p.m., with an agenda that includes homeless shelter zoning and a civilian police oversight body. The meeting is a public session, and residents can view the agenda, video stream, and minutes through the city's Legistar platform. There is no cost to attend, and accommodations can be requested through the city.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-26https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-26Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Members of the Pedestrian & Transit Advisory Committee and the Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee submitted public comment ahead of today's Review of Multiple-Member Bodies Committee meeting, opposing the committee's July 8 vote to recommend merging the two bodies. In a letter to Chair Chris Dwan and Vice Chair Derrick Rice, the members wrote that a merger would offer no productivity or capacity gains for volunteers or city staff and would instead decrease their focus. The review committee is examining at least 56 multiple-member bodies serving the city.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-25https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-25Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Healey-Driscoll administration announced $27.2 million in tax incentives Monday through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's Climatetech Tax Incentives Program, covering 18 companies statewide. Somerville's Form Energy, Eden Geopower, and Vertical Semiconductor are among the recipients, with the funding intended to help companies expand facilities and hire more workers. The program was launched under the Mass Leads Act and builds on MassCEC's 10-year climatetech economic development plan.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-24https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-24Mon, 24 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000A Somerville cellphone store says it was robbed twice this month, most recently on Sunday, August 23, when a person in a winter jacket walked in and fled with a phone. In an earlier incident, someone filled a bag with $10,000 worth of iPhones and iPads before leaving the store. Owner Nabin Basnet, who says the losses are hard for his small business to absorb, has reported both incidents to police.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-23https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-23Sun, 23 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Applications are open for six deed-restricted condominiums at One Inman Square, 121 Prospect St., offered at below-market prices through the City's Inclusionary Housing Program. The units are available to eligible first-time homebuyers.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-22https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-22Sat, 22 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The City of Somerville, working with Project Citizenship, is holding Citizenship Day today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 149 Broadway, offering free legal help to green card holders who are ready to apply for U.S. citizenship. Attendees can schedule an eligibility screening in advance through the program's booking link or the QR code on the city's flyer. The event is free and accessible; questions go to the Office of Immigrant Affairs at soia@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-21https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-21Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The city has laid out the key deadlines for voting early, by mail, or in person ahead of the State Primary Election on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Residents who want a mail ballot or plan to vote before Election Day should check the dates now rather than at the polls.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-20https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-20Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Lyndell's, founded in 1882 by Swedish immigrant Birger C. Lindahl and in its second location since 1953, will move down Broadway into the old convenience store, owner Bill Galatis announced Aug. 19. The new space will keep essentially the same layout but with all-new equipment and windows behind the counter where customers can watch the assembly work; the old ticket taker is coming along. Galatis says the move is planned for sometime in November so the bakery is in place for the holiday season.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-19https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-19Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Somerville Public Schools holds its annual Back to School Fair on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Somerville High School, where families can meet principals and district department heads, connect with community partners, and pick up free school supplies. Free frozen treats will be provided for students who attend. Immediately after, from 6 to 8 p.m., the high school hosts "Welcome to Somerville High" for incoming ninth-graders and students new to the school.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-18https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-18Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The MBTA says Orange Line service will be suspended between Oak Grove and Back Bay for 11 consecutive days, Aug. 20 through Aug. 30, for track and signal work first announced July 15. Crews will replace rail, ties, plates, third rail and fasteners between Tufts Medical Center and the Assembly truck pad, and relocate signal equipment racks at Wellington, North Station and Community College. The MBTA says the work is a step toward extending 55 mph speeds to the stretch between Community College and Assembly.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-17https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-17Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Somerville Junior Police Academy began a weeklong run Monday at the Argenziano School, meeting 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Friday, Aug. 21. Run jointly by Somerville Parks and Recreation and the Somerville Police Department, the program is free for city residents entering grades 5-8 and mixes classroom trainings, hands-on tactics, special guests and travel days. Lunches are provided, and each cadet receives a T-shirt, badge, hat and backpack; families can note accommodations when registering.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-16https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-16Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000HEX Ferments co-founders Meaghan and Shane Carpenter led a live kraut-making demonstration at Arts at the Armory, exploring what it takes to produce truly living fermented foods at scale while staying rooted in traditional methods. The session included stories from production, practical insights for home fermenters and a guided tasting, and is part of the second annual Somerville Fermentation Festival. The Baltimore-based company, that city's first licensed producer of traditionally fermented foods, has earned multiple Good Food Awards since 2013.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-15https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-15Sat, 15 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, joined by Congressmen James McGovern and Stephen Lynch, made an unannounced oversight visit Friday to the Plymouth County Correctional Facility, the only facility in Massachusetts holding civil immigration detainees long-term. Afterward, the lawmakers called for the release of people they said are unlawfully imprisoned there and for accountability for the harm caused. Pressley specifically urged the release of her constituent Darwin, who she said suffered traumatic physical injuries and treatment in prior ICE custody and reported a lack of access to health care; his fiancee joined the lawmakers after the visit.https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-14https://nanopress.net/union-square-somerville-ma/briefs/2026-08-14Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Retiring State Senator Pat Jehlen has endorsed State Rep. Christine Barber in the Democratic primary for the 2nd Middlesex Senate seat, which includes Somerville and which Jehlen has held for more than twenty years. Jehlen, who says she rarely endorses in legislative races, announced the backing in a video released by the Barber campaign, calling Barber best prepared to carry the fight for affordable housing, affordable health care, and affordable living. Barber, a six-term representative for the 34th Middlesex District and chair of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, cited her record on driver's licenses for immigrants regardless of status, ending copays for insulin and inhalers, and expanding ConnectorCare.