Around Town

Food Assistance Benefits Will be Cut in December, Groups Calling for State to Restore Funds

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Recipients of food assistance in Massachusetts will see their benefits that can be used to buy fresh produce cut beginning in December, but there are efforts to ask the Governor and Legislature to restore the funding the in the State Budget. Stephanie Venizelos, the City of Watertown’s Community Wellness Program Manager, said that the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) will be reduced to $20 per household. The program is available to recipients of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). “Recently, DTA and MDAR announced the following changes to the HIP program beginning on December 1, 2024, due to insufficient funding in the MA state budget. The HIP benefit structure will be reduced to $20 each month, and the maximum HIP benefits a household can earn will be $20 a month for all households, regardless of size.

Business

Charles River Chamber Hosting Event in Watertown, Welcomed 450 at Fall Business Breakfast

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The Charles River Regional Chamber hosted a big crowd at the annual Fall Business Breakfast last week, and will be in Watertown next week for a morning of coffee and networking at a local fitness studio. On Friday, Nov. 15, the Chamber will be at Fly Together Fitness from 8:30-9:30 a.m. The fitness studio is located at 100 Parker St. The event is free and open to members and future members. The Chamber provided the following details:

Enjoy morning conversations over coffee while networking with local professionals at the brand-new Fly Together Fitness studio in the heart of Watertown.

Government

See How Watertown Voted for President, Senate & on Ballot Questions in 2024

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Charlie Breitrose

Watertown voters came out to vote in large numbers, both on election day and during the early voting and mail-in period. Two-thirds of Watertown’s 26,418 voters cast their ballots in the 2024 State Election, according to the unofficial Watertown Election results sent out by the Watertown City Clerk’s Office. Nearly 60 percent of the 17,542 votes in the election were cast during the early voting period or sent in mail-in ballots, said City Clerk Noelle Gilligan. About 200 to 300 people voted each of the day during the 14 day early voting period. A total of 3,250 residents came to City Hall to vote during the early voting period, Gilligan said, while 7,203 mail-in ballots were sent in.

Around Town

Stop & Shop Community Bag Program Raising Money for Operation American Soldier

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Through the month of November, the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program will support Watertown-based Operation American Soldier. When you purchase a $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Stop & Shop located at 171 Watertown St. in Watertown, $1 will be donated to Operation American Soldier, which sends care packages to American troops deployed overseas. “Our goal is to sell 500 bags, equivalent to $500 raised. We are confident that with the help of our dedicated supporters, we can reach this goal,” said Wendy Rocca of Operation American Soldier.

Around Town

VOTER GUIDE: Votes for President, Senate & 5 Ballot Measures on Tuesday’s Ballot

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Watertown voters have plenty to races and ballot measures on which they can cast their votes during Tuesday’s State Election. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. See polling locations at the bottom of the story

The Presidential race has been on the top of many voters’ lists and there are not just two, but six choices, listed with their parties below in the order on the ballot. AYYADURAI and ELLIS (Independent)DE LA CRUZ and GARCIA (Socialism and Liberation)HARRIS and WALZ (Democratic)OLIVER and TER MAAT (Libertarian)STEIN and CABALLE (Green-Rainbow Party)TRUMP and VANCE (Republican)

There is also a contested race for U.S. Senator – Elizabeth Warren (Democratic) and John Deaton (Republican). Races for Congress, State Senator, State Representative, Governor’s Councilor (listed as Councillor), and Middlesex Clerk of Courts are uncontested. There is a contested race for Middlesex Southern District Register of Deeds, between Maria Curtatone (Democratic) and William “Billy” Tauro (Republican).

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey Rolls, Cheerleaders Place 3rd, Boys Soccer Hit the Road for First Round

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The Watertown High School cheerleading team placed third at the Panther Invitational. (Contributed Photo)

The Watertown High School field hockey team rolled in the Round of 32 State Tournament game on Sunday. The Raiders opened the 2024 MIAA Div. 3 State Tournament by defeating Falmouth 8-0 at Victory Field. Watertown senior Caroline Andrade scored three times, and senior Victoria Dicker scored twice in the win.