Around Town

State Announces Elevated Risk for Mosquito Borne Diseases in Area

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has elevated the risk level for West Nile Virus from Low to Moderate due to the identification of a mosquito in the general Boston vicinity that tested positive for West Nile Virus, the Watertown Health Department announced. While this is not unusual considering historical patterns of mosquito-borne disease in this warm, dry weather, the Watertown Health Department advises that precautions against mosquito exposure need to be taken. Public health surveillance is conducted for mosquito-borne viruses – viruses that are carried and spread by mosquitoes. These viruses include West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Mosquitoes get WNV and EEE by biting infected birds.

Around Town

Find Out What Happened to the Trees on Arsenal Street

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One of the trees along Arsenal Street near the new apartment complex was ripped out of the ground recently when a tractor trailer struck it, and other trees in the area had to be trimmed to prevent further damage. Tree Warden Chris Hayward said the damage occurred in mid-June while Arsenal Street was being ripped up to remove old trolley tracks. “Because the center of the road was now closed, traffic had to be pushed to the outer edges of the roadway,” Hayward said. “Around 3 p.m. on Thursday June 16, a tractor trailer truck clipped a large leader that had not been pruned in advance of this new traffic pattern. That tree was literally ripped out of its planting location.”

Around Town

Thursday’s Farmers Market Features Peas, Carrots & the Community Gardens

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Thursday afternoon means the Watertown Farmers Market, and this week you can enjoy some summer crops, including peas and carrots of different stripes. 

You will be able to find snap peas, sweet peas, orange and purple carrots at the booths. Also, summer squashes and greens. The market has much more than vegetables. Each week a cheesemaker sets up a table, with Jasper Hill Farm and Central Bottle alternating each week. Another vendor is Ava’s Popcorn, which was recently featured on WGBH’s Craving Boston.

Around Town

New Community Gardens Going in at Arsenal Park, Help Needed to Build Beds

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Watertown Community Gardens will be opening some new plots at Arsenal Park, but before gardeners can start planting the planters must be built.

The former street hockey area at Arsenal Park will be the location for the new garden plots, said Terese Hammerle, chair of the board of Watertown Community Gardens. “Between the tennis courts and the basketball courts, we will build raised beds on the solid surface,” Hammerle said. A work day will be held on July 23 (with a rain date of July 24). Volunteers are needed to build the planters, Hammerle said. Once completed, there will be around 50 new plots for Watertown residents to farm.

Around Town

Celebrate Two Major Events in the History of Watertown & the U.S.

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Watertown history goes well past to the beginnings of the United States, and it hosted two major events in 1776 – the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Massachusetts and the signing of the FIRST EVER treaty made by the United States. The Historical Society of Watertown will host a reenactment and celebration of both of these events on Treaty Day 2016, on Saturday, July 16, 2016 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

The event will be held at the Edmund Fowle House and Museum, at 28 Marshall St. in Watertown. The home is home to the Historical Society and dates back to 1772. The Historical Society sent out the following information:

 

Come to this annual event marking the first time the Declaration of Independence was read to the citizens of our new nation in Watertown on July 18, 1776.

Around Town

Library Has Tons of Fun This Summer, Including Sports, Reading and a 5K

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The Watertown Free Public Library is full of fun activities this summer. Here are just a few of the activities:

Summer Sports Sampler

Saturdays starting July 16

The Watertown Free Public Library presents a series of free opportunities to be active this summer! Click on the links below to learn more and register. You may also choose to register at the Reference desk or by calling 617-972-6436. Martial Arts at MacDonald Martial Arts

Rock Climbing at Central Rock Gym

Kayaking at Charles River Canoe and Kayak

Pure Barre at Pure Barre Newton

Yoga at Artemis Yoga

Book it and Run 5K! Saturday Sept.

Around Town

Police Log: Man Arrested Twice in 2 Days, Woman Attacked for Asking Driver to Slow Down

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
June 21, 2:50 p.m.: An officer patrolling on Belmont Street spotted a man driving a brown Hyundai. The officer recognized the man and knew he had a suspended license. The officer pulled the driver over and placed him under arrest for driving with a suspended license, a subsequent offense. The driver made bail and left the Police Station. At 12:50 a.m. on June 22, an officer patrolling on Belmont Street saw the same man driving the same brown Hyundai. As police watched, the driver failed to stop at a stop sign. The officer knew the driver had been arrested the previous day and he confirmed his license was still revoked. The 50-year-old Watertown man was arrested again for driving with a suspended license, a subsequent offense, O’Connor said.

Around Town

Head to Victory Field for Fourth of July Festivities

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Victory Field is the place for the Fourth of July Celebration hosted by the Watertown Recreation Department.  

The celebration will be held Monday, July 4, 2016 at Victory Field on Orchard Street, and it features games, water slides, basketball and whiffleball. All-day activities include face painting, arts & crafts and waterslides. Hot dogs, burgers and refreshments will be served free of charge. Please park in the Department of Public Works lot at 124 Orchard St. Schedule of Events
10-10:50 a.m.: Soccer Game: (ages 7 and under)

Obstacle Course: (ages 8-10)

Baseball Game Bring Your Glove: (ages 11 and older)

Wet and Wild Waterslide: (all ages)

11 am-noon: Obstacle Course:(Ages 7 and under)

Dodgeball: (ages 8-10)

Softball Game Bring Your Glove: (ages 11 and older)

Wet and Wild Waterslide: (all ages)

12:30-1:30 p.m.: Parachute Game (ages 7 and under)

Obstacle Course: (ages 8-10)

Three-on-Three Basketball: (Ages 11 and older)

Wet and Wild Waterslide: (all ages)

1:30-2 p.m.: Water Balloon Toss: (all ages)

Group Games: (all ages)

Wiffleball Home Run Derby: (all ages)

Wet and Wild Waterslide: (all ages)
Cops & Rec Family Movie Nights
Watertown Elementary students can bring your friends and family for a night of fun and excitement during the movies hosted by the Watertown Police and Recreation Departments on Friday, July 15, and Friday, Aug.