The City of Somerville is seeking community members interested in taking action on the climate crisis to apply for the 2021 Climate Forward Ambassador Program. The program will begin January 2021, and meetings will be held virtually over Zoom. 

"Our neighbors and our local businesses need us to donate generously and shop with intention. This year our holiday spirit needs to be filled with community spirit. We need a season of unity." -Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

This year, the City of Somerville has rethought its annual holiday traditions so that we can still celebrate as a community while protecting against COVID-19. 

Due to the accelerating spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts and CDC warnings that the United States has entered a dangerous and record-breaking phase of high-level transmission for the virus, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Board of Health are rolling back the City of Somerville to a modified version of Phase II, Step 2 of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ reopening plan effective end of day Wednesday, December 16, at 11:59 p.m. and will be in effect for at least three weeks. 

The Somerville Police Department is seeking any information about a vehicle involved in a Tuesday, December 22, crash. At around 7:52 a.m. a 9-year-old boy was struck at Broadway and Walnut Street while walking his dog. He sustained minor injuries. The driver did not remain on the scene and police are looking for information that will help identify them. The vehicle allegedly involved in the crash is described as a gold-colored passenger car and it was seen heading east on Broadway. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Teves at 617-625-1600 ext.

This year, instead of gathering on Prospect Hill on New Year’s Day to reenact the raising of the Grand Union Flag (considered to be the first flag of the nation), you can tune in to a virtual celebration of this historical event. Beginning Friday, January 1, a pre-recorded ceremony will air on City Cable (RCN channel 13 and Comcast channel 22) and the City’s YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/SomervilleCityTV.

The Somerville Police Department is seeking any information about a suspect in an unarmed bank robbery that took place on Monday, December 28, at around 10:45 a.m., at the East Cambridge Savings Bank at 285 Highland Ave. The suspect is described as a white male and was seen wearing mirrored style glasses, a multi-colored face mask, a blue/green hooded sweatshirt, and white sneakers. He was last seen heading east on Highland Avenue. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Station Officer at 617-625-1600 ext. 7254 or ext. 7250.

Last week, we challenged folks to share the decorations that they felt best captured seasonal merriment, people’s humanity, or much needed humor during this clearly historic year.  Since then, we have received several fantastic entries from Somervillians all around the City!  However, the season is not over yet, so to maximize holiday cheer, we've decided to extend the deadline for entries to Tuesday, December 29th!

The Somerville City Council and School Committee will hold combined virtual organizational meetings on Monday, January 4, beginning at 6 p.m. Members will elect leadership for each body. Visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5454878807998400015 to register to attend the meeting.

In its third and largest round of COVID-19 business relief to date, the City of Somerville has made an additional $5 million available for small businesses affected by the pandemic.