Schools

School Committee Approves Making Masks Optional in Watertown Schools

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Almost two years to the day after schools shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Watertown students will be able to go to class without wearing a face mask. Monday night, the School Committee approved Superintendent Dede Galdston’s plan to make masks optional and a set of metrics to decide if they will be required in the future. Galston noted that March 13, 2020 was the date that school in Massachusetts closed in the beginning of the Pandemic, and two years later students will be able to choose not to wear a mask. She also stressed that teachers and staff will emphasize that students will be respected and accepted regardless of whether or not they choose to wear a face mask. The change in mask rules will be finalized this week, Galdston said, after the latest student and staff testing results are received.

Around Town

Watertown’s Eliza Dushku Attends White House Signing of Bill That Ends Forced Arbitration in Sexual Assault, Harassment Cases

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FilmBuffEliza Dushku, left, from the 2015 movie “Jane Wants a Boyfriend,” which co-starred Louisa Krause. Watertown’s Eliza Dushku visited the White House last week to attend President Biden’s signing of a bill that ends forced arbitration in cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the workplace and to allow survivors to file lawsuits in court against perpetrators. Dushku has been outspoken about issue since she went public with her experience on the set of the CBS show Bull, where she said she was sexually harassed by the show’s star. In November 2021, she was one of several women who testified before the House Judiciary Committee. After the signing, Dusku sent out a Tweet saying: “FORCED arbitration FOR sexual harassment & assault is officially OVER!”

When she testified before Congress, Dushku said that now when her name is brought up, it is not for her acting, producing or other work.

Around Town

Freedom Garden Planned to Honor Veterans, City Puts Out Call for Sign to Mark Spot

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Charlie BreitroseThe Commander’s Mansion in Watertown. Watertown veterans will be honored with a new garden to be planted next to the Commander’s Mansion, and the City has put out a call for bids to create a sign to go with the garden. The garden includes not just flowers and plants, but also memorial bricks to honor veterans, and a sign. Watertown Public Arts & Culture Planner Liz Helfer put out a call for bids to create a sign for the new garden. “The city’s first call for public art is live!

Arrests

Police Log: Driver Strikes Building & Faces OUI Charge, Arrested Shoplifter Had Multiple Warrants

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

Feb. 18, 9:32 p.m.: An officer patrolling on Arsenal Street near the Watertown Mall spotted a bus with the “Call Police” sign flashing on it. The bus was pulled over and the officer spoke to the driver, who explained there had been a verbal disturbance between two passengers. One of the passengers had gotten off the bus, but police got a description.

Sports

Watertown Boys Hockey Team Rolls in First Round of State Tourney

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown junior Mauricio Souza score the second of two goals against South Shore Tech in the first round of the State Tournament. Watertown High School’s boys hockey team made a statement in the first round of the MIAA Div. 4 State Tournament by scoring in double digits and shutting out its opponent. The second-seeded Raiders defeated 34th seeded South Shore Tech 12-0 at John Ryan Arena on Saturday night. Charlie BreitroseWatertown sophomore James Erickson skates around the South Shore Tech net in the MIAA Tournament game at John Ryan Arena.

Basketball

Trio of Seniors Lead Watertown Boys Basketball Team to Tourney Victory Over Medway

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown Senior Tyler Timperio drives against Medway in Friday’s State Tournament game. He led the Raiders with 20 points in the first round victory. Watertown’s Tyler Timperio scored 20 points for the Raiders and fellow senior Pierre Paul Labossiere added 19 in the 54-39 win over Medway in the first round of the MIAA Div. 3 boys basketball tournament on Friday night. A third senior, Adam Patterson, scored in double figures to help the second-seeded Raiders pull away from the 34th-seeded Mustangs.

Basketball

Watertown Girls Basketball Team Dominates Second Half to Win Tourney Game

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown senior Taylor Lambo led the Raiders in with 17 points in the victory in the first round of the State Tournament over Greater Lowell Tech. The State Tournament got started on a positive note for the Watertown High School girls basketball team with a 53-28 win over Greater Lowell Tech on Friday night. The 26th-seeded Gryphons kept the game close in the first half, trailing by four after the first quarter. But seventh-seeded Watertown got a trio of three pointers from senior Ellie Monahan — two before halftime and one after — to help the Raiders pull away for the win in the first round of the MIAA Div. 3 State Tournament.