By Vincent Hicks, CPA

Q: Tired of long IRS phone waits or wondering if your tax issue is stuck in limbo? There’s a faster way to get answers!?

A: Instead of mailing letters or sitting on hold, you can now handle many tax issues through the IRS’s secure online portal – and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) offers a similar tool. In my experience, these portals often lead to faster resolutions, fewer delays, and a lot less frustration!

Council members announced and sworn in at first meeting;regional listening sessions across Massachusetts begin in April

The Healey-Driscoll Administration kicked off its first meeting of the K-12 Statewide Graduation Council last week at Worcester State University. Earlier this year, Governor Healey signed Executive Order 639 that established the Council to study and make recommendations on how Massachusetts can ensure that all students graduate with the skills necessary to succeed in college, careers, and civic life, regardless of their background or location and demonstrate these qualities through a consistent statewide set of expectations.   

Protesters arriving at The Old Powderhouse around 5:30 p.m.  on Wednesday~ Photos by Giacomo Ferraro

By Liam Beretsky-Jewell

Wednesday night, over 2,000 people gathered at the Powerhouse Square Park to attend a rally condemning the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainment of Rumeysa Ozturk. The Tufts Ph.D student was detained outside her West Somerville apartment on Tuesday, March 25, by ICE agents who had been surveilling her home from an unmarked vehicle the two previous days. Court records state that she was subsequently taken to a detention center in Louisiana, despite orders from U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani that ICE not remove Ozturk from Massachusetts.

Sarah Shapiro of Wild Child Chocolate in Davis Square. ~ Photos courtesy of Elli Bock

By Jeffrey Shwom

Sometimes, we all just need a piece of chocolate or something with chocolate in it to make us feel. To comfort us. To be a part of our memories. Well, Sarah Shapiro, owner, founder and “chocolate maker extraordinaire” of Wild Child Chocolate in Davis Square is sharing her four distinct chocolates and social tasting events to help us experience all of the things.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne today announced the transformation of Founders Ice Rink into a multi-purpose recreation hub serving all ages. This exciting development comes after a successful pilot period showcasing the community’s demand for diverse recreational activities.  

Somerville City Council to introduce resolution seeking justice for unsolved murders of Deanna Cremin, Charline Rosemond, and other victims

As the community marks the 30th anniversary of the unsolved murder of Deanna Cremin and the 16th anniversary of the unsolved murder of Charline Rosemond, the Somerville City Council will introduce a resolution calling for renewed investigative efforts, transparency, and justice for these victims and others.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Powder House Park has a history that dates back to the Revolutionary War in the 1700’s. It also has another history that dates back to the 1970’s when it was the cool place to hang around.

When Archie rode a flaming skateboard from “up top” all the way “down bottom” to College Ave., that was historic. You can see more history if you look at a tree down bottom that has the initials “JF” and someone else’s initials that are now unreadable. “JF” was a kid who dated my sister. He was quite the Romeo.

Pictured top row L-R:  Coach Ronald Freeman, Reese Freeman, Mika Dimagiba, Trinity Stiles, Gia Spires, Olivia Spires, Gianna Stiles, Maria Garcia, Coach Israel Garcia. Bottom row L-R: Arielys Lopez, Aria Bruce, Leilah Denning.

“After four years of coaching this team and a very disappointing loss in the finals two years ago, we finally WON the 7th grade girls basketball MetroWest ‘Championship’ tournament,'” said Coach Israel Garcia. Garcia praised the team, “These girls deserve to be CHAMPIONS. They work hard, relentless, teamwork and pride.” 

Lindsay Jean Huber, 69, passed away on March 5th, 2025 at her home in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. Lindsay was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Barbara Huber, her sister Nancy Coutoumas, and her brother Keith Huber and her best friend in life Kathleen Mckenna. Lindsay is survived by her Brother Kenneth Huber, wife Lorraine Huber, Brother Richard Huber, wife Pat Huber, Nephews Ryan, Kyle, Scott and his wife Jennifer Huber, Eric Coutoumas and his wife Tricia Kimball, and niece Brittany Huber, as well as several great nieces and nephews. In life Lindsay loved spending countless hours on the New Hampshire and Maine Sea Coasts. Lindsey began her career at Boston Children’s Hospital and went on to become a Psychiatric Nurse and worked for several hospitals and heath institutions where she was an advocate for many patients who suffered with Psychiatric Illness. For everyone who knew Lindsey they were always blessed with the outpouring of love that she bestowed upon them. Lindsay helped and supported so many of those in need throughout the course of her life and will always be remembered for her love and generosity. Lindsay loved her family and was always very much supportive of all of her nephews and her niece.