Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighter Graduates from Fire Academy

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Watertown Firefighter Jake Louro recently graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy. The Watertown Fire Department recently welcomed its newest graduate from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. On April 24, 2020, Firefighter Jake Louro graduated from the Academy’s 10 week training program, said Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn. “Firefighter Louro has returned to the firehouse to serve the citizens of Watertown,” Quinn said. “Due to the COVID-19 situation the graduation ceremony was limited to the graduates only.

Around Town

Watertown Reaches Two Milestones in COVID-19 Cases; Residents Urged to Remain Vigilant in Stopping the Virus’ Spread

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With the number of COVID-19 related deaths in Watertown went over 20 this week, and the number of cases surpassed the 300 mark, Town Council President Mark Sideris encouraged residents to remain vigilant in efforts to stop the spread of the virus. Town Manager Michael Driscoll gave the latest Coronavirus numbers for Watertown at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting: 331 confirmed cases, 148 have recovered, and the town has 22 COVID-19 related deaths. The numbers rose from 298 cases and 19 deaths as of May 7. Sideris said that the virus has already taken too high a toll in Town. “Our deepest sympathies go out to all people who have lost family members, never mind only in Watertown, but across the country and across the world,” Sideris said.

Arrest

Man Arrested After Leading Police on Chase While Riding a Scooter

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Police placed a Waltham man under arrest after he led them on a chase in Watertown on his scooter. On May 7, at 2:27 p.m., an officer monitoring traffic at the corner of Main and Cross streets saw a Vespa-style scooter going approximately 50 mph, on the wrong side of the road while heading east, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The operator, later identified as Neil Ozzy Frajul, 26, of Waltham, was not wearing a helmet, nor was he wearing eye protection. At that point the officer tried to stop the scooter, O’Connor said. “The scooter failed to stop and the rider ended up running the red lights in Watertown Square,” O’Connor said.

Business

Good News for Watertown Pizza Lovers!

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Pizza Roma owner Joe announced he is back open for business this week. After closing temporarily for the COVID-19 shutdown, a Watertown pizza institution is back! Pizza Roma reopened on Tuesday and will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The pizzeria on Waverley Avenue is the latest restaurant to reopen in Watertown. A good place to learn about who’s open and specials being offered by restaurants is the Facebook group “Watertown and Surrounding Community, Eating Local Stimulus Plan.”

Business

Networking, PPP Pointers & Adapting to Social Distancing at an Online Coffee Connect

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Discuss ways to adapt your business to social distancing, hear PPP pointers and network at the Watertown Business Coalition’s second Online Coffee Connect on May 20. The free event will be held via a Zoom Meeting beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20. The event will begin with a general session about how to pivot your business during COVID-19, followed by a choice of breakout sessions: PPP pointers, how to adapt to social distancing requirements, a discussion for non-profits, chat with folks in the hospitality industry, or just network. RSVP for the event by clicking here. The Watertown Business Coalition is a nonprofit organization whose members are local businesses that are invested in developing their business, growing our economy, and strengthening our community.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Co-Authors Book to Teach Children About COVID-19

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Watertown’s Diana Saville heard from many of her friends that they were struggling to explain the Coronavirus to their children, so she decided to help out by co-writing a children’s book on COVID-19. She teamed up with Srini Pillay, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, and illustrated and co-wrote King T and the Gamma Troupe: The Story of a Brave Bodyguard Who Vanquished the Viral Villain. Saville has a background in molecular biology, neuroscience, and scientific animation, but this is her first children’s book. “So many of our friends were having trouble explaining coronavirus to their kids in a way that is both honest and not-scary,” Saville said. “It’s a little rhyming adventure with a focus on how the body is built to fight off viruses and other invaders.”

Around Town

Follow the Travels of Watertown Police Dog, Kato

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Watertown Police dog Kato poses in one of the photos from the WPD’s Where is Kato Facbook posts. Kato, the Watertown Police Department’s K-9 has been busy in recent weeks, visiting places around town. The Watertown Police has posted a series of Where is Kato? posts on their Facebook account. Some locations will be recognizable, while others you may not know even exist in Watertown.