Around Town

Kids & Parents Martial Arts Classes at the Watertown Library

By |

The following announcement was provided by Coach Sean Martial Arts Fitness:

Sean Stefaniak, owner of Coach Sean Martial Arts and Fitness, will be hosting free martial arts classes for children and their parents at the Watertown Free Public Library. On Saturday, Dec. 30. Children ages 4-7 will have class at 9:30 a.m. and children ages 8-12 will be at 10:15 a.m. Parents will accompany their children during class. There is no registration required, however there is limited space available so it is better to show up early.

Sports

Watertown Boys Hockey Team Starts Season Wednesday, Girls in Co-op Team with Belmont

By |

by Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s boys hockey team will look for another State Tourney run in 2023-24. Here, Maricio Souza skates up ice against Scituate in the 2023 State Semifinal. The Watertown High School boys hockey will seek another run deep into the tournament in the 2023-24 season, and the Raiders’ first game will be Wednesday, Dec. 13. Meanwhile, Watertown has joined forces on the ice with Belmont to put together a co-op girls hockey team.

Sports

Watertown Basketball Game Suspended After Injury to Player

By |

An injury to a player in Watertown High School’s boys basketball game against Lexington caused play to be suspended, and the player was sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The player, from Lexington, landed on his head after a play near the basket. Witnesses said he appeared to be unconscious and then appeared to have spasms. The player was taken to the hospital, and “is home healing and is expected to make a full recovery and join his team soon,” wrote Watertown High School Principal Joel Giacobozzi in a letter to students and parents sent out Wednesday morning. Many students and parents at the game were visibly upset. Giacobozzi said that in the morning announcements that went over the WHS PA system, students were told they could take time out of class to speak to a counselor to talk about the incident.

Government

City Council to Vote on Roads to be Reconstructed in 2024

By |

Tuesday night, the City Council will consider approving the list of roads in Watertown to be reconstructed in 2023. The Council’s Committee on Public Works recommended a list of five roads to be approved. The work would begin in the spring of 2024. Recommended Street List

George Street

Bromfield Street

Mangano Court

Grandview Avenue

Dwight Street

The list created by the Department of Public Works was based on a number of factors, according to the Committee report. “Some of these factors include a review of the pavement condition index (PCI), what utilities (water, sewer, and drain) are planned to be replaced, and the plans of public utilities (National Grid and Eversource).”

Sports

Watertown Boys and Girls Basketball Teams Open League Play Tuesday

By |

Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s boys basketball team tips off the Middlesex League season against Lexington on Dec. 12. Here, Jeffrey Kerbin shoots against Rockland in the 2023 State Tournament. Watertown High School’s varsity basketball squads open up Middlesex League Play on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 12

The boys open with a pair of home games.

Around Town

Watertown’s Hidden Problem: Food Insecurity Among Us (First Part of a Series)

By |

Food on the shelfs at the Watertown Food Pantry, which has seen an increase in the number of people using its services since the start of the Pandemic. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

For many, Watertown is a destination for food and eating, with dozens of restaurants, markets small and large, and a farmers market through the warmer months. However, a significant number of residents have trouble affording to feed themselves and their families. The hunger problem in Watertown is often not visible, but those who provide assistance and services to people in need have noticed a recent increase in the number of people in town facing food insecurity, spiking during the Pandemic. And, while the COVID cases have dropped, the numbers of people going to Watertown’s two food pantries, or needing help to put enough food on their table has remained at about the same level.

Police/Fire

Police Seeking Identity of Man Who Followed Woman to House & Tried to Break In

By |

A man tried to break into a Watertown home after following a woman home in the early hours of Sunday morning, Watertown Police announced. At about 3:45 a.m., a woman reported a man follow her home on Laurel Street, hid behind a car in her driveway, and then tried to enter her home, Police said in the announcement. “After the victim entered the home, the suspect attempted to gain entrance to the front and back door of the home. It is important to note that no one was harmed, however, we are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect,” Watertown Police said in a Facebook post (see below). The message also said, “The Watertown Police Department takes the safety and security of our community seriously, we will be adding extra patrols in the area.”