Around Town

Watertown Historian Backs Bill Exonerating People Accused of Witchcraft Prior to Salem Trials

By |

Marilynne Roach, center-right, and State Rep. Steve Owens, center-left, at the State House on the day that Roach spoke during a hearing about exonerating the victims of witch trials before the ones in Salem. (Photo by Caroline Enos / The Salem News)

Watertown historian and author Marilynne Roach who has researched the Salem Witch Trials recently testified at the State House for a bill that would exonerate the eight people, including two with ties to Watertown, found guilty of being alleged witches before the Salem 1692 panic. Roach has written multiple books about the Witch Trials in Massachusetts, and wanted to find a way to give those found guilty some justice. “A few months ago I spoke with Rep. Steven Owens at one of his regular visits to the Senior Center to ask about getting a bill to clear the names of the people found guilty of witchcraft before the well-known Salem outbreak,” Roach said. “Needless to say, the verdicts were based on faulty evidence.

Government

Residents Can Apply to Take Part in Citizens’ Legislative Seminar at the State House

By |

Massachusetts State House (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

State Sen. Will Brownsberger seeks residents interested in learning about the functions of the Massachusetts State Legislature during the upcoming Citizens’ Legislative Seminar at the State House. See more info provided by Brownsberger’s office, below. Senator Brownsberger has the opportunity to nominate one or possibly a few constituents for participation in the 91st Citizens’ Legislative Seminar (CLS) presented by Senate President Karen Spilka. Please let us know if you are interested in being nominated. CLS is a free educational program organized by the Senate. The Spring 2026 CLS Seminar will be taking place on Tuesday, March 24th and Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. 

Nominees from this office must be residents of Senator Brownsberger’s district and be able to attend both days of the seminar. (Non-constituents should contact their own state senator to request nomination.) 

CLS, offered twice a year, aims to better educate the public on the functions of the Massachusetts State Legislature.

Government

Rep. Lawn Lead Sponsor for Bill Passed by Mass. House of Reps. to Strengthen Protections for Health Care Workers

By |

Massachusetts State House (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A bill to strengthen protections for health care workers that was passed the Massachusetts House of Representatives with no opposition was spearheaded by Watertown State Rep. John Lawn. See information about bill H.4767 provided by Rep. Lawn’s office, below. The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill on Nov. 19, 2025, that strengthens protections for health care workers, establishes preventive and protective standards to reduce the risk of violence, improves health care facility incident reporting, enhances interagency coordination to safeguard privacy, and creates legal protections for certain employees harmed in the line of duty. “Health care workers are heroes who are responsible for saving lives and for improving the overall health of our Commonwealth, which is why we owe it to them to ensure that they are able to do their jobs without fear for their wellbeing,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy).

Government

State Rep. Owens Hosting Office Hours in October

By |

State Rep. Steve Owens

Residents can meet with State Rep. Steve Owens during three office hours in the month of October, including two in Watertown. See details in the information provided by Rep. Owens’ Office, below. Please come visit me at my next office hours:

Thursday, October 9 from 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. at Kendall Kitchen at the Quad (10 Wilson Road, Cambridge, MA 02138)

Monday, October 20 from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Watertown Senior Center (31 Marshall St., Watertown, MA 02472)

Friday, October 31 from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at Triangle Coffee Bar (66 Galen St., Watertown, MA 02472)

The Statehouse is open to the public and my legislative office is in suite 167. The office phone number is (617) 722-2230. Please give us a call or drop us a note if you plan to stop by!

Environment

High Schoolers Can Apply to be Part of State Youth Climate Council

By |

Massachusetts State House

The Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience seeks applicants from from high school students for the Youth Climate Council. Rising sophomores through seniors are eligible to apply. The Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience announcement reads:

We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025-2026 Youth Climate Council! This is an incredible opportunity for passionate and driven young individuals from across the state to engage with each other and the Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience on Massachusetts climate policy. YCC will meet monthly over Zoom from September 2025 through May 2026 with opportunities for in person events throughout the year.

Government

State Rep. Lawn Says “I am Deeply Sorry” After OUI Arrest

By |

State Rep. John Lawn

Watertown’s John Lawn, State Representative for the westside of Watertown, said “I am deeply sorry,” in a statement following his arrest on Wednesday for driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of property damage. Lawn pleaded not guilty at an arraignment in Boston Municipal Court Thursday, and was released on personal recognizance, according to a report by NBC 10 Boston, and will return for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 1. On Wednesday, Lawn sent a statement through his attorney saying, “I deeply regret and take full responsibility for my actions. What happened was completely unacceptable.

Government

Sen. Brownsberger’s Office Has Job Opening for a Counsel

By |

State Sen. Will Brownsberger

State Sen. Will Brownsberger announced that his office is hiring a Counsel. See more information in the announcement sent out by Brownsberger’s office. I am looking for an experienced individual to serve as Counsel in my office. A summary job description appears below:

The Counsel is a senior member of the Senator’s team and is responsible for providing legal advice and counsel to the Senator on complex policy issues and conducting in-depth research on specific legislative and policy concepts. They are the office’s legal expert and point person on specific legislative matters in their field of expertise.

Government

State Rep. Steve Owens to Hold 3 June Office Hours

By |

State Rep. Steve Owens. State Rep. Steve Owens will meet with residents in two office hours events in Watertown and a third in Cambridge this month. See details from State Rep. Owens’ office. Please come visit me at my June office hours:

Monday, June 9 from 9:00am – 10:30am at Kendall Kitchen at the Quad (10 Wilson Rd, Cambridge, MA 02138)

Monday, June 16 from 3:00pm – 4:00pm at the Watertown Senior Center (31 Marshall St, Watertown, MA 02472)

Friday, June 27 from 8:30am – 10:00am at Uncommon Grounds (575 Mount Auburn St, Watertown, MA 02472)

As a reminder, I have changed offices and phone numbers for the new legislative session. My office at the Statehouse is now in suite 167. The new office phone number is (617) 722-2230. Please give us a call or drop us a note if you plan to stop by!