Government

Hundreds Rally to Support Immigrants, Want to Make Watertown a Sanctuary City

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Hundreds of supporters of undocumented immigrants and refugees rallied on the Watertown Square Delta Sunday before packing the Grace Vision Church to find out how the town can protect these groups. Elected officials told a crowd of about 300 at the event –  known as “Watertown Welcomes Immigrants” – that they would do all they can to create protections for all immigrants at the local and state level, including passing an ordinance to make Watertown a Sanctuary City. Town Council President Mark Sideris said he wants everyone to feel welcome in Watertown. “I am proud to live in Watertown. I am proud to serve Watertown on the Council,” Sideris said.

Around Town

Watertown Basketball Players Named Middlesex League Boys, Girls MVPs

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Watertown swept the top honors of the Middlesex League basketball post-season awards, claiming the MVP for both the boys and girls. The Middlesex League coaches voted junior John Korte and senior Shannon Murphy as Most Valuable Players of Middlesex League Freedom. The Raiders also got other spots on the Middlesex All-Stars. Junior Julio Fulcar made the boys team, while junior Cali McMahon was named to the girls All-Stars. Both squads begin State Tournament play this week.

Entertainment

Watertown Young Adult Author to Read from Her Latest Book

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Watertown young adult author Liza Ketchum will read from her latest book, Life Fantastic, at a local book store in March. 

Ketchum will from her book on  Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books, 25 White St., Cambridge, MA 02140 For more information go to http://www.portersquarebooks.com/event/liza-ketchum-life-fantastic

According to the publisher, Adams Media book division of Simon & Schuster, Life Fantastic is set in 1913 and Teresa LeClair, the daughter of former vaudevillians, longs to escape Vermont to star on Broadway. She hops a train to New York, but when her little brother stows away with her, her dreams come second to caring for him. Luckily, they’re taken in by big-hearted Maeve, who encourages Teresa in the singing contests she enters. Also competing is a gifted dancer, Pietro, and Teresa quickly comes to care for him. Pietro is black, and Teresa’s struggle can’t compare to the barriers he faces, on and off the stage.

Boys Basketball

Watertown Boys Basketball Team Grabs Top Seed in North Section Tourney

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It’s been three years since the Watertown boys basketball team has played on the parquet of the TD Garden, but if the seeds hold up the Raiders will bound for the state semis this year. 

The Raiders topped the seedings of the MIAA Div. 3 North Boys Basketball Tournament bracket, released Friday morning. In 2014, Watertown made it to Boston for the State Semifinal and lost a heartbreaker in overtime against Cardinal Spellman. Last year the Raiders got the eighth seed and beat Ipswich in the first round before losing to North Reading in the quarterfinal. In 2015, the sixth-seeded Raiders lost in the first round to Bedford.

Girls Basketball

Watertown Girls Basketball Team Could Face Rivals in State Tourney

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After reaching the State Final last year, the Watertown girls basketball team’s road to Springfield has some familiar foes in the way, including their archrivals. The MIAA released its girls basketball state tournament brackets Friday morning, and Watertown could have rematches against teams they played in the regular season, including playoff clash with Belmont for the third straight year. The Raiders, which finished 14-4, received the third seed in Div. 2 North, while Belmont claimed the stop seed with a 16-4 record. There are three other Middlesex League teams in the bracket.

Around Town

Recreation Department Announces Hours for Victory Field, Others Closed

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Recreation Department Director Peter Centola sent out the following information about when the Victory Field Turf will be open to the public. Please enjoy the beautiful weather and utilize the Victory Artificial Field according to the following schedule:

Today, Friday February 24 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, February 25 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, February 25 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Depending on the weather, the Turf Field will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. moving forward. For future planning, the school department will begin their athletic program on Monday, March 20 and they will utilize the turf most of the time. Please remember, when a permit is issued, no other use with be permitted by any individual or group. Grass Fields

Until announced, all grass fields are closed.

Real Estate

Watertown Has Plenty of Open Houses This Weekend

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There are a ton of open houses around Watertown during the last weekend in February. $575,000 – 40 Elmwood Ave. Unit, 8 room, 5 bed, 2 bath townhouse, Open House: Sunday 12-2

$500,000 – 296 Mount Auburn St. Unit 6, 6 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath rowhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 1-3, Sunday 1-3

$525,000 – 125 Coolidge Ave. Unit 705, 4 room, 1 bed, 1 bath high-rise, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$529,000 – 16 Fairview Ave.