Coyote roams Magoun Square
<$> Residents of Somerville have reported several coyote sightings in the last month.
The most recent sightings were on Wilton St. and Clyde St. near Magoun Square, which is located only a few miles southeast of campus at the intersection of Broadway and Medford St.
The Somerville Police Department first received calls about the coyote a month ago. Animal Control officers think the coyote may be hunting feral cats at night.
Since the city is so densely populated, many residents find it hard to believe that a wild animal would make his home here. Animal Control officers suggested that the coyote might live in Medford, where the population is spread out over a larger area.
City officials say the coyote is probably entering Somerville either along the MBTA commuter rail tracks on the Lowell line or through the bike path in Davis Square, which is how a deer made its way into Davis last summer.
Animal Control officers are currently attempting to trap the animal so that they can release it in a rural area. No plans have been made to kill the coyote.
Somerville aldermen reconsider investments in Israel
<$> The Somerville Board of Aldermen held a meeting Monday night at City Hall to determine whether the town's retirement board should follow through with a plan to divest its funds in Israel.
A local group called the Somerville Divestment Project has requested that the board stop investing in Israel and in companies involved in alleged human rights violations against Palestinians.
Pro-Israel attendees of the meeting argued for Israel as a model of democracy in the Middle East, while pro-divestment speakers questioned the city's knowledge of international affairs.
If the resolution passes, it would require the board to forego investments in bulldozer, helicopter and weaponry parts manufacturers, including Caterpillar Inc., United Technologies, General Electric, Boeing, General Dynamics Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp. and Lockheed Martin.
Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone has said he would veto the resolution should it pass in its current form.
The board chose not to take action at Monday's meeting, but will vote at a Dec. 7 meeting. Officials will continue to accept and consider public opinion until that meeting.
-- compiled by Jillian Harrison from the Somerville Journal<$><$>
