Around Town

Independent Autopsy of Aaron Hernandez Performed in Watertown

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The independent autopsy of Aaron Hernandez, which ruled his death was a suicide, took place at Watertown’s Faggas Funeral Home. The autopsy was conducted by medical examiner Dr. Michael Baden, the former chief forensic pathologist for the New York State Police, according to WHDH Channel 7. Baden has been involved in other high profile cases, including testifying in the O.J. Simpson murder trial and performing an independent autopsy on Michael Brown, the teenager shot and killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Hernandez, the former New England Patriot and convicted murderer, was found dead in his jail cell on Wednesday. His attorneys requested an independent autopsy.

Real Estate

A Wide Variety of Properties Holding Open Houses in Watertown

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More than a dozen open houses around Watertown this weekend. $949,000 – 29 Winter St. Unit 29, 12 room, 5 bed, 4.5 bath victorian townhouse, Open Houses: Sunday 2-4 Monday 4-6

$439,000- 66 Forest St. Unit B, 7 room, 2 bed, 2 bath half duplex, Open Houses: Saturday 11:30-1:15 Sunday 1-2:30

$539,900 – 99 Watertown St. Unit 99, 7 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath 2/3 family, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$339,900 – 14 Riverside St.

Around Town

Conference for Women Over 50 Born from Website Co-Founded by Watertown Woman

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The fourth annual She Did It conference, which features workshops that take on issues important to women over 5o, will be held in Wellesley in May and was the brainchild of a Watertown woman and her friend from Newton. Watertown’s Felice Shapiro founded BetterAfter50.com and very early on she was introduced to Ronna Benjamin of Newton, who would become her co-founder and co-publisher. BetterAfter50.com tackles the issues women of that age group face. Shapiro said they can often be major life changes, such as looking for a new career or getting back into the workforce after raising children, life after divorce or keeping a first marriage strong. “I am very much a She Did It story,” Shapiro said.

Drug Bust

Drug Sting Lead to Police Chase that Ended in the Charles River

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The chase that included a helicopter and search dogs started and ended with the help of an alert good samaritans. Tuesday night, Watertown Police arrested an Everett man after a prolonged manhunt along the Charles River involving a helicopter and search dog teams from the Massachusetts State Police. Watertown detectives along with members of the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force conducted a month long investigation on the Westside of Watertown, said Watertown Police Capt. Thomas Rocca. “It started because a neighbor complaint from Whitcomb Street concerning drug activity,” Rocca said. Law enforcement observed the area and on Tuesday night they spotted what they believe was drug activity and the man left in his vehicle at about 7:15 p.m., Rocca said.

Entertainment

ArtWeek Boston Coming to Watertown With Three Events

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ArtWeek 2017 will feature more than 250 events around the Boston area, including some activities in Watertown. Produced by the Boch Center, ArtWeek announced its largest season lineup ever. The award-winning creative festival will offer more than 250 events from April 28-May 7 — representing a more than 40 percent increase over the spring and fall 2016 festivals. ArtWeek events provide participants with new ways to experience art, culture, and creativity, and will now be held in 13 new neighborhoods and towns across Eastern Massachusetts, with a total presence in more than 70 communities. In collaboration with ArtSpring Cape Cod, this season’s festival will feature nearly 30

events on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.

Helicopters

Helicopters, Search Dogs Locate Suspect in Charles River in Watertown

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The search for a man wanted by police on drug charges stretched across the line into Watertown when the suspect ditched his car and made a swim for it in the Charles River Tuesday night. Police stopped the man in his vehicle, but he then took of running toward the Charles River and jumped in. A Massachusetts State Police helicopter and State Police a search dogs were called to the banks of the Charles River when the suspect got out of his car on Pleasant Street and jumped into the river. The man, who was from Everett, was captured and arrested near Watertown Square at California and Watertown streets at about 11:45 p.m., according to WCVB Channel 5. He will be arraigned in Waltham District Court on Wednesday.

Business

Watertown’s Donohue’s Has New Look, Ready to Serve More Diners

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One of Watertown’s best known eateries has a brand new look, but Donohue’s Bar & Grill will still serve up the food and drinks fans have enjoyed for nearly two decades. On the outside, Donohue’s has a new design with big windows. On the inside of the space bright and open. The center wall that once separated the two sides of the restaurant was removed and instead of two bars on opposite walls, there is one big one that wraps around the middle of the space. Owner John Donohue said the trend is for more and more people to eat at the bar, even at upscale restaurants.

Development

First Phase of Arsenal Mall Renovation to be Discussed at Community Meeting

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Developers planning the renovation of the Arsenal Mall will discuss the first phase of the project during a Community Meeting on Thursday evening. Boylston Properties and The Wilder Companies will host the meeting where they will review Phase 1 of the Arsenal Yards master plan. “The purpose of this meeting will be to present and discuss the final layout and design of Building’s A and E, and discuss the operation of the property during construction,” said the meeting announcement. The master plan was approved by the Planning Board in January after nearly a year of discussions and meetings. Both buildings in Phase 1 were part of the original Watertown Arsenal.