Around Town

Woman’s ‘Shopping Spree’ Lands her in Back of Police Car

By |

An woman upset that she could not return merchandise to Target tried to take matters into her own hands, but ended up under arrest. On April 25, a woman went to the customer service desk at Target to try to return some items, but was told she could not because she did not have the receipt. The woman was not satisfied with that answer. “She said ‘If I don’t get the money I will still what I need,'” said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “Then she walked through the store and took items off the shelf and tried to leave.”

Sports

See How the Watertown U14 Softball Team Fared in its Opener

By |

By Del Furbish

Despite the very un-Spring like weather, the Lowell Field was alive again with Softball as the 2014 season kicked off with a U14 match up between Waltham and Watertown. Waltham claimed the first victory of the season with a nail biter of a game as they bested the Watertown Raiders 11-10. It was a fun, back and forth, contest between what will prove to be two very good teams. The season will sure to be filled with a lot of excitement ~ so long as mother nature decides to turn the heat back on. Next up for the Raiders is a match up with Manchester NH and another feisty Waltham team. Have a youth or high school sports report?

Around Town

See How to Get Free Comic Books in Watertown

By |

Comic book fans, or those interested in taking a look, head down to your local comic book store Saturday to get some free books. The Comic Stop, 134 Main Street in Watertown, will host Free Comic Book Day on May 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there will be a special guest, according to store owner David Philbrick. “There will be an appearance by Spiderman from 10 to 2,” Philbrick said. Watertown artist and Popeye historian Fred Grandinetti will also be at the event drawing sketches for children. Philbrick hopes to set up a tent in back of the store for more activities if the weather is good.

Entertainment

Find Out About Eliza Dushku’s Latest Project

By |

 Watertown-native Eliza Dushku will be headed to the Motor City to work on her latest big screen project. Dushku and co-star Chase Crawford will be filming “Eloise” in a former psychiatric hospital – the Wayne County Poor House – in the Detroit suburb of Westland, according to a story on Michigan-based MLive.com. (Click here to read the full story). In the movie, four friends break into the abandoned institution to find proof that they are in line for a big inheritance. While in the former insane asylum, “the group not only finds that the institution houses a horrifying history but also the truth about their own tragic pasts,” according to a report on Deadline.com.

Around Town

Watertown Police Log: Drunken Driver Strikes 3 Cars, Laptop Taken

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

April 15, 8:59 p.m.: A 52-year-old Watertown man was arrested on charges of simple assault, domestic assault and battery and on two outstanding warrants. He was arrested on Robert Ford Road. April 16, 4:48 p.m.: A 35-year-old Watertown man was arrested after an incident on Warren Street. He faces charges of domestic assault and battery on a person over age 60.

Sports

Take Me Out to the Ball Game – in Watertown!

By |

It’s time to play ball for Watertown’s young baseball and softball players. Opening Day for Watertown Baseball, Watertown Softball and Watertown Challenger is Saturday, May 3. Teams will kick off the season with a parade, beginning at Saltonstall Park on Main Street, and ending at Casey Field on Watertown Street. The parade will be led by Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio. Casey Field will host the opening ceremonies, then there will be a full slate of games.

Around Town

New Group Seeks Watertown’s Input on Public Transit

By |

Watertown residents concerned about how the town is served by public transportation are invited to join a discussion this week. The newly formed Watertown Task Force on Public Transit will meet for the first time on Thursday, May 1 at the Watertown Free Public Library in the Trustee’s Room at 7 p.m.

The town has officially requested the MBTA to engage in dialog about the state of public transit in town, and the task force is gathering comments from residents. “We are going to set up a permanent body of citizens to debate and talk about public transit issues, and bring up ideas and propose solutions to the state representatives and the MBTA,” said Joe Levendusky, a resident who helped start the task force. ”

[ad]

The meeting will help lay out the comments that will be presented to Beverly Scott, general manager of the MBTA, who is expected to attend a Town Council meeting on May 27, Levendusky said. The task force is an initiative of Sustainable Watertown.

Around Town

Watertown Budget Will Be Revealed This Week

By |

Details about the Fiscal 2015 budget – including how much money the schools will receive – will be made public on Tuesday evening. Town Manager Michael Driscoll will present his budget to the Town Council on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Town Hall. The School Committee approved Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald’s request for $42 million from the town, which would be $6 million  or 16 percent more than the funding received in Fiscal 2014 (click here for more details). When Driscoll presented his preliminary budget in October he said all departments, including the schools, should expect a 3 percent increase. Two weeks ago, Driscoll said the school budget request, which included more than 30 new jobs (including 22 new teachers), would actually cost the town $341,ooo more than requested because of health care and other benefits.