Entertainment

Hear Ghost Stories from Around the World at the Watertown Library

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

On Tuesday, October 29, The Watertown Free Public Library’s Project Literacy invites you to enjoy a showcase of spine-chilling and supernatural stories from around the world — told by Project Literacy’s English language students and community! “Our students come to Watertown from all over the world.” says WFPL’s Project Literacy director Janet Saied. “Halloween isn’t celebrated in every culture, but many of our students have supernatural stories, or traditions, mythologies, and more from their own cultures that they are excited to share with Watertown!”

Stories begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29 in the Library’s first floor meeting room. Registration is not required. This program is free and suitable for ages 13 and up.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey Coach Named MIAA Coach of the Year

By |

Watertown Head Field Hockey Coach Eileen Donahue celebrates the 2023 State Championship with Raiders captains, from left, junior Adrianna Williams, senior Molly Driscoll, and senior Aislin Devaney. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Longtime Watertown Field Hockey Coach Eileen Donahue will collect another honor in December when she receives the 2023-24 MIAA Coach of the Year Award. Last season, the Raiders went undefeated and won their third straight State Championship. Watertown capped the season with a 4-3 win over Newburyport in the State Final. The team is undefeated this season, and has amassed a winning streak of 88 games.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Officer Saves Woman from Burning House

By |

Watertown Police Officer Michael Grzelcyk

The Watertown Police Department posted the following announcement on its Facebook page. Friday, October 11, 2024, Officer Michael Grzelcyk demonstrated extraordinary bravery during a working house fire on Winsor Ave. Upon arrival, he learned that a second-floor tenant, an elderly woman, was still inside. With Watertown Fire en route, Officer Grzelcyk entered the burning building alone, facing intense smoke and flames. Despite zero visibility, he made verbal contact with trapped woman.

Government

City Won’t Need a Redevelopment Authority to Transform Parking Lots in Watertown Square

By |

The area of the Watertown Square Municipal Parking Lot, shown in grey and the adjacent yellow buildings, can be redeveloped under the powers given to the City Council in 1987. The graphic is from the Watertown Square Area Plan meetings. Watertown will be able to redevelop the municipal parking lot in Watertown Square without creating a Redevelopment Agency, City Manager George Proakis told the City Council this week. On Tuesday, Proakis confirmed that the City Council has been given the powers of a Redevelopment Agency (sometimes called Authority) through a special act of the Legislature. He first brought up the potential at a meeting of the Economic Development and Planning Committee on Sept.

Around Town

City Will Not Impose Fines for Not Clearing Snow in 2024-25 Season

By |

Watertown residents will have another year to get used to the new snow and ice removal requirements. City Manager George Proakis recommended only issuing warnings for properties not clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk within 24 hours of the end of a snow storm. This will allow the City to inform residents with the education program about how the fines will work. The City Council approved the new Snow Ordinance in January 2024. “Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, we were unable to realize the benefits of the program.

Schools

Naming of New WHS Gym & Auditorium Put on Hold, List of Nominations Released

By |

Ai3 ArchitectsA rendering of the designs for the new Watertown High School viewed from Columbia Street. The School Committee voted to take more time to make the decision about after whom the gymnasium and auditorium at the new Watertown High School should be named, and will come up with criteria to judge the nominations submitted by the public. The original timeline called for having nominations in by Oct. 7 and the final vote on Oct. 21.