Around Town

Raccoon Attacks Reported in Different Spots Around Watertown

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Three reported raccoon attacks took place in different areas of Watertown this week, according to reports. On Friday the Watertown Heath Department issued a warning about aggressive raccoons in town, including two that attacked residents. A Garfield Street resident told Channel 7 News that he was attacked by a raccoon while he was on his deck drinking coffee. Watertown Animal Control Officer Karen O’Reilly told Channel 5 News that one woman was attacked on Parker Street just outside her home, and another person was attacked while walking on Charles River Road near Paul Street. Garfield is located north of Mt.

Around Town

Health Department Warns of Aggressive Raccoons in Watertown

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The Watertown Health Department sent out the following information:

Three incidents of raccoon(s) being aggressive with humans have occurred in Watertown on Thursday May 31, 2018, two resulting in injury. If you see a raccoon, please take steps to avoid it. Raccoons are rarely aggressive toward humans but a female will defend her young. While normally most active at night, they will routinely come out in the daytime to forage. Never feed raccoons and be especially cautious when approaching any garbage can or areas where food or scraps can be found.

Around Town

Legacy of Watertown Soldier Killed in Vietnam Lives 50 Years Later in Annual Scholarship

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Fifty years after his death, Paul Sullivan continues to inspire the youth of Watertown and surrounding communities, and his legacy lives on in the recipients of the scholarship that bears his name. On June 23, 2018, a banquet will be held to honor the winners of the 50th Annual Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship and several other scholarships that have grown out of the effort to commemorate the 24-year-old from Watertown, who was killed in Vietnam on Aug. 9, 1968. The day after the banquet, a plaque will be unveiled at the playground named after Sullivan on the corner of Mt. Auburn Street and Arlington Street. Sullivan joined the U.S. Army in 1968 and trained to become a Ranger.

Around Town

Installation of Replacement Pedestrian Bridge Across Charles River Begins

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Sections of the new Joseph Thompson Pedestrian Bridge arrived Wednesday and will be lifted into place on Thursday morning, however it will still be a few weeks before people can meander across the new span. The bridge has been a topic of discussion and contention for many Watertown residents, especially those living close to the section of the river just west of Watertown Square. Originally planned to be in place by the end of 2017, the new bridge arrived Wednesday. Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Leo Roy visited the construction site Wednesday afternoon as workers prepared the bridge to be lifted into place on Thursday morning. The project is part of the effort by the Baker-Polito Administration to allow more people to access parks and recreational areas around Massachusetts, Roy said.

Around Town

Charles River Advocacy Group Receives $1 Million Gifts

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Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) has recently received two $1 million gifts from anonymous donors to support the organization’s work in the region building resilience to flooding and drought and restoring the Charles River. These leadership gifts will help establish a more secure financial future for CRWA and its innovative work. CRWA’s research into the ecosystem and hydrology of the Charles River has led to transformative approaches to managing polluted stormwater runoff in urban and suburban areas. CRWA has also pioneered new approaches to wastewater, capturing water, energy and heat that is otherwise lost in sewers, and turning it into a significant renewable energy source. CRWA’s groundbreaking work to restore natural systems in cities will build resilience to droughts and floods, and support a healthy Charles for decades to come.

Around Town

Speaker Remembers Watertown’s Lost Servicemen, Others During Memorial Day Ceremony

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The commander of the Natick Solder Systems Center reminded people of the importance of remembering those killed while serving and protecting their country during Watertown’s Memorial Day Observance on Monday. 

The town held its annual parade, from East Watertown to Town Hall, on Monday, followed by a ceremony in Saltonstall Park. Opening the ceremony, Watertown Veterans Agent Mark Comeiro said that Memorial Day is a time not only to remember those lost in battle, but also those who died after their time in the military. “We mourn our most recent losses, along with their families, and we our ancestors who are now family heroes,” Comeiro said. “We recount their contributions even though we may have never known them. We remember them as those that have done so much to make this country great.”

Around Town

Be the Match Marrow Registry Drive Coming to Watertown Church

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The following announcement was sent out by organizers of the bone marrow drive:

Marrow Registry Drive

WHAT: Watertown area residents can take the first step to save a life by joining the Be The Match Registry between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at First Parish of Watertown, using a simple cheek swab. Patients are most likely to match someone of their own ethnic background, and doctors request donors in the 18-44 age group more than 85 percent of the time. More young people of diverse ethnic background are needed now to help patients searching for a match. Be The Match relies on financial contributions to help cover the $100 cost associated with adding each new member to the registry. Those joining are asked to please give what they can.

Around Town

Young Voices for Peace, Justice and the Environment Featured on Panel at Meeting/Potluck

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The following announcement cam from Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner, Sunday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m., Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church, 80 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Featuring a panel of Young Voices for Peace, Justice and the Environment
Yara Akkeh
Caitlin Forbes
Adham Hussein
Shivani Sharma
Ari Stern
Brenton Stoddart
Kimia Tabatabaei
Alex Thuene
Panel Moderator: Tod Gross
Come help us celebrate our accomplishments and hear the voices of young activists! 5:30 p.m. – Potluck Dinner
6:00-8:00 p.m – Meeting & Program
For more information, visit watertowncitizens.org