Around Town

Watertown Police Hosting Polar Plunge to Raise Money for Special Olympics, Participants Wanted

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The Polar Plunge will return to Watertown on Feb. 7, 2026, and the Watertown Police seek to raise even more this year fro the Special Olympics of Massachusetts. Participants will take a cold dip into the mobile plunge tank that will be set up in Bond Square at Arsenal Yards, said Watertown Police Officer Michael Scafidi. “Last year we had just over 50 participants and raised over $20,000 for Special Olympics of Massachusetts,” Scafidi said. “This year we are aiming for ’26K in ’26’!”

Around Town

City of Watertown Thanks All for Successful Community Food Drive

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Food collected from multiple locations across the City during the Community Food Drive in November and December. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the entire Watertown community – residents, businesses, volunteers, and more – for supporting the community food drive hosted through November and December 2025. Thanks to everyone’s efforts together, thousands of food items were collected to support our pantries, community fridge, and directly to families in need. This community food drive was organized by the City of Watertown, with support from the Watertown Community Foundation, in early November when federal SNAP benefits were delayed and over 1,600 Watertown households were unsure if the assistance they rely on each month would come through. Jenna Bancroft, Watertown’s Director of Human Services, was amazed by the way the community stepped up and supported their neighbors.

Business

Triangle Co Cafe Opens in New Building at 66 Galen Street

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Triangle Co cafe is now open in 66 Galen. (Elisif Photography)

The following announcement was provided by The Davis Companies:

The Davis Companies (Davis) and Boston Development Group (BDG) today announced the opening of a new community café and social spot, Triangle Co, on the ground floor of 66 Galen Street in Watertown, serving both building tenants and the broader Watertown community. With existing locations in Boston and Washington, D.C., Triangle Co is known for its specialty, in-house coffee, teas and made-to-order food offerings. Now, it will bring an experience to the heart of Watertown that is unique from other café locations around the city. Patrons will enjoy a soaring mid-century inspired 360-degree fireplace and café seating, creating an updated yet welcoming place to focus on remote work, meet with colleagues, or stop in to relax with a specialized food or drink offering.

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosts Vigil in Memory of Renee Good

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People came out for a vigil for Renee Good, the woman killed in Minneapolis by an ICE agent. (Photo, copyright by Joshua Touster)

The following information was provided by Indivisible Progressive Watertown:

On Saturday morning, Jan. 10th, Indivisible Progressive Watertown hosted an emergency vigil in memory of Renee Nicole Good who was murdered by ICE agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 7th. 

Indivisible Progressive Watertown’s vigil on Watertown Square on Jan. 10.

Around Town

Mt. Auburn St. Project: Construction Season Over, Off-Season Work Focusing on Drainage

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Most of the roadwork on Mt. Auburn Street has stopped for the winter, but there will be some smaller projects during the off-season. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown. As the construction season has come to a close, off-season work will primarily focus on drainage improvements. This work will continue along Mount Auburn Street toward Watertown Square.

Government

Watertown Renegotiating Contract for BlueBikes, Looks to Get More Beneficial Deal

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Arsenal YardsThe Bluebikes station outside Arsenal Yards. With Watertown’s contract with the Bluebikes bicycle share company expiring, City officials hope to sign a more favorable agreement. The contract ends in early 2026, and City Manager George Proakis told the City Council he hopes to sign a several year agreement. “This particular contract is a five year agreement with two optional two year renewals for a maximum term of nine years, which is designed to enhance service delivery, strengthen the sponsorship system, to make the system work better and support continued operations and stability in the bikeshare system here in Watertown,” Proakis said. Because the contract is longer than three years, the City Council had to vote to allow the City staff to enter into an agreement.

Obituaries

OBIT: John J. York, 85, Retired Watertown Police Detective

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John J. York

A Mass of Christian Burial for Retired Watertown Detective Sergeant John J. York will be celebrated on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Church of St. Patrick, 212 Main St., Watertown. John “Jack” York was born in Brighton to the late John Joseph York, a retired member of the Watertown Police Department, and Rita (Marion) York. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on January 6, 2026, at the age of 85. Jack is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Patricia (Ambrose) York.