Charity

Woman Running the Boston Marathon to Raise Money for the Watertown Police Foundation

By |

Dawn Castillo Harper made it within a mile of finish her first marathon when the race came to a halt when bombs went off near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. The Back Back resident will be back in 2014, this time she is raising money for the Watertown Police Foundation. “When we thought about what the Watertown Police did on April 19th last year, we realized that they are part of the reason there will be a safer Boston Marathon in 2014,” Harper said, whose fundraising being helped by her running partner in 2013 Haley Dowling. “This is our way of saying thank you to all the police in Watertown.”

The first in a series of fund raisers will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Donohue’s Bar and Grill, 87 Bigelow Ave.

Business

What Market will Go into the New Development on Arsenal Street?

By |

A rendering of the proposed development on Arsenal Street. Photo: The Hanover Company. By Charlie Breitrose

The new development proposed for 202 Arsenal Street includes a small market, but which one has not been decided. Residents asked if it would be a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods or even a Market Basket. Developers from the Hanover Company and Cresset Development said they do not have a tenant for the site.

Around Town

Snow Storm Hits Watertown Thursday

By |

Snow covers the road at the Arsenal on the Charles in front of athenahealth. Photo: Charlie Breitrose. By Charlie Breitrose

[Updated 4:02 p.m.] The snow has turned to rain. Watch out for downed branches and power outages. The snow may return later.

Schools

Watertown Middle School Gym Roof Needs Replacing

By |

{Originally Posted on the Watertown News Facebook page on Feb. 12, 2014}

By Charlie Breitrose

The roof over Watertown Middle School’s gym has been leaking, and school officials will be applying to the state to get money to replace it. The project will cost about $605,000, the School Committee learned last week. Watertown will apply for money from the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s Accelerated Repair Program. The leaks have caused events at the gym to be canceled, said Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald, and there are fears that the floor will be damaged by water sitting on it for extended periods of time.

Entertainment

Watertown Mural Receives Award at State House

By |

{Originally posted on the Watertown News Facebook page on Feb. 11, 2014}

By Charlie Breitrose

The mural of scenes around Watertown painted over the summer will be recognized at the State House Tuesday afternoon. The work, “Spirit of Watertown,” was created by Watertown High School students who worked with artist Gregg Bernstein. It is 207 feet long and went on a formerly graffiti covered wall on the path between Whites and Waverley avenues. The Massachusetts Cultural Council awarded the mural a Gold Star Award.

Schools

Are Watertown Children Suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress?

By |

{Originally posted on the Watertown News Facebook page on Feb. 7, 2014}

By Charlie Breitrose

This week Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald told the School Committee that there has been a rise in Watertown students getting risk assessments. The reason is not clear, Fitzgerald said, but there is one major traumatic incident this year that may be the cause. “We believe it may be related to post-traumatic stress from the bombing and aftermath in Watertown,” Fitzgerald said.

Business

Developers of a Proposed Residential/Retail Complex Get an Earful from Residents

By |

{Originally sent to Watertown News email list page on Feb. 7}
A mock up of what the residential building will look like on Arsenal Street. Photo: The Hanover Company. By Charlie Breitrose
Developers of the site along Arsenal Street met with residents Thursday night and they heard about Watertowner’s concerns – including increased traffic, loss of the possibility a path through the area and trees. The proposed development would have a four-story apartment complex with 297 units (202 one-bedroom, 89 two-bedroom and 6 three-bedroom), a 30,600 square foot store – likely a market, and 6,777 square feet for boutique stores and a restaurant.