Police/Fire

Police Log: Driver Arrested After Hitting 2 Parked Cars, Pair of Shoplifters Busted

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Feb. 25, 6 p.m.: A bike was damaged and a lock was vandalized at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center. The owner said the bike damage from what appeared to be an attempted theft that occurred between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The bike had multiple locks and the suspect was able to break away one of the locks while attempting to steal the bike. The spokes of the bike were damaged, making the bike unusable.

Sports

Youth Sports Success: Girls Youth Basketball Wins Tourney, Wrestler Places 2nd at States

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Watertown’s Girls Fifth Grade Travel Basketball Team won the Div. 3 Metrowest Youth Basketball Tournament. (Contributed Photo)

Youth athletes from Watertown enjoyed some success recently, both on the basketball court and on the wrestling mat. Basketball

The Watertown Youth Basketball Fifth Grade Girls Travel Team won the Metrowest Youth Basketball Division 3 Championship last weekend. The team is coached by Head Coach Lee Haley and Assistant Coach Mark McAndrew. 

Watertown beat Raynham 34-15 in the final of the tournament that included 14 teams. The team got a bye in the first round, defeated Waltham 31-16 in the second round, and won its third round game against Walpole, 40-23.

Around Town

Turkish Restaurant Serves Traditional Dishes in Longtime Watertown Dining Spot

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Halva Kebabs serves up a variety of grilled meats. (Courtesy of Halva Kebab)

A spot in town that has long been an eating destination is serving hungry diners once again. Halva Kebab opened in the former New Yorker Diner spot near Watertown Square, and is serving up a wide range of kebabs and other Turkish dishes. While the owners are new to the area, they have a long tradition of running restaurants, said co-owner Joseph Dagdelen. “We have another location in New Jersey,” he said.

Government

This Week: Short Term Rentals, Increase Tax Exemptions & Study of City Council Salaries

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The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on whether to allow short-term rentals in Watertown. A City Council committee will look at increasing the exemption allowed on personal property, which would reduce the burden on businesses. The full Council will meet Tuesday and discuss establishing a committee to examine Councilor salaries. Monday night at 6 p.m., the City Council’s Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight will discuss increasing the personal property tax exemption from $5,000 to $10,000. The Watertown Business Coalition supports the idea, saying it would give some tax relief to small businesses.

Police/Fire

Man Arrested on Charges of Assaulting a Woman Along the Charles River Path

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A Newton man was arrested in connection to an assault of a woman that took place on the path along the Charles River in Watertown. Sandeep Khandke, 69, of Newton, was arraigned on Friday in Waltham District Court on a charge of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, according to the Massachusetts State Police. The State Police received a report of an assault in Watertown on the Charles River Greenway, which is State property. Troopers from the Boston State Police Barracks responded. “The victim reported that a man with a cane had sat down next to her and while the two were talking, the man touched the victim’s leg and chest,” the State Police press release said.

Entertainment

Check Out This Week’s Small Saves Cartoon

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”