Watertown Remembers the Chaos, Concern and Celebrations During the Shootout & Search for the Marathon Bomber

Police patrolled the streets of Watertown on April 19, 2013, searching for one of the Boston Marathon Bombers. Photo courtesy of Jade Burke. It seems like ages ago and at the same time just like yesterday that Watertown was rocked by gunfire and explosions, then went into lockdown as police scoured homes and yards for the Boston Marathon Bomber, before locating and capturing him in a boat parked on Franklin Street. On April 19, 2023, the 10th anniversary of the Watertown Shootout and Manhunt, Watertown News is sharing the memories of readers of that monumental day in our community. The area was already on edge.

Get a Massage And Help Survivors of the Earthquake in Turkey and Syria

Massage Aid will raise money for survivors of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The following announcement was provided by Massage Aid:

In 2019, local Massage Therapists and Reiki Practitioners came together and donated their timeand services to raise money to help the people of Yemen and Massage Aid For Yemen was born.All the proceeds were donated to Doctors Without Borders earmarked for Yemen. WatertownCitizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment co-sponsored the event and were instrumentalin getting the word out and provided refreshments. Now that the COVID Pandemic is better under control, Massage Aid is back and this time theirefforts are going to help provide much needed relief to the earthquake survivors of Turkey andSyria. The First Parish Church of Watertown has generously agreed to donate the space for freeagain and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders earmarked forTurkey and Syria.

Help Count the Herring Coming Up the Charles River in Watertown

Volunteers are wanted to help the with the First Charles River Herring Count in Watertown. The count runs through the month of May at the Watertown Dam, and is coordinated by the Charles River Watershed Association. The count count tracks the number of herring and other migratory fish head up the Charles River. The Watertown Dam, just east of the Galen Street Bridge, is a place where some fish are blocked or hindered in their upstream journey. The CRWA sent out the following information:

Help us monitor migratory fish passage!

Watertown’s Goose Dog is on the Job!

City of WatertownVee, Watertown’s goose control dog, has arrived in town! Vee, the dog brought to Watertown for geese control, has arrived in town and has already gotten down to work. The Watertown DPW’s Parks/Cemetery Supervisor Bob DiRicco and his wife picked Vee up at the training facility in Leesburg, Virginia, and drove her back to Watertown over the Patriots Day Weekend. On Tuesday Vee started work. City of WatertownVee and the DPW’s Bob DiRico visited City Manager George Proakis in City Hall Tuesday.

Historical Society Celebrating 250th Anniversary of the Fowle House

Charlie BreitroseThe Edmund Fowle House is 251 years old, and the Historical Society will celebrated. Here Bob Childs of the Historical Society of Watertown reads the Declaration of Independence from the same spot it was first read in 1776, the second floor of the house in 2016. The Historical Society of Watertown invites the public to join the celebration of the 250th anniversary of one of the City’s oldest homes and a century of the Society owning the house. The exhibit features antiquities never before seen by the public. The opening celebration for “FOWLE HOUSE – 250 YEARS OLD” takes place on Sunday, April 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Fowle House is located at 28 Marshall St., off Mt.

Watertown Trash and Recycling Delayed by Patriots Day

Watertown DPWResidents will soon be able to purchase a second recycling toter – the green one – for less than before. The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Please be aware that due to the Patriots Day holiday on Monday, April 17, 2023, trash and recycling pickup will be delayed one day. The pickup schedule is Tuesday, April 18 through Saturday, April 22, 2023. A holiday postpones Trash and Recycling collection by one day. Here are the next 2023 holidays:

Memorial Day May 29

Juneteenth June 19

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day September 4

Columbus Day October 9

Veterans Day November 11 – NO DELAY

Thanksgiving Day November 23

Christmas Day December 25

See the 2023 Collection Calendar for more information.

Helicopters Flying Over Watertown for Marathon & on Friday for Search for Kayaker

(UPDATED on April 16 at 8:10 a.m.)

Helicopters have been flying over the Watertown area this weekend, both in preparation for the Boston Marthon and in the search for a kayaker reported missing . Friday night a State Police helicopter patrolled over Watertown after a kayaker was reported missing. The man was later found safe at his home,.according tonl Watertown Police, who assisted with the search. The City of Watertown announced that helicopters will be flying over Watertown from in the days leading up to the Boston Marathon as well as Marathon Monday. The City sent out the following announcement:

Even though the Boston Marathon does not go through Watertown, if you see low flying helicopters in the sky, please be aware that they are conducting surveillance/safety checks along the Marathon route.