Around Town

Local Podcast Chats with Police Chief, the Library Director & a Dancer/Scientist; Also Hear the First Episode of Creative Chats

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Hear about the Watertown Police Chief’s unusual childhood, the library director’s career in books and libraries, and about a dancer/scientist in their conversations with Watertown podcast host Matt Hanna. In “Little Local Conversations,” discover the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Hanna has conversations with various businesses owners, community leaders, creatives, and other interesting folks in Watertown to learn about what they do and get to know a bit about the people behind the work. 

Justin Hanrahan

Meet Justin Hanrahan! He’s the Police Chief here in Watertown. In our conversation we get into his unconventional childhood and how the Watertown community was important in getting him through it, his early experiences in policing from protecting “boothies” to a career defining moment that instilled in him that policing is much more than just catching criminals, his rise through the ranks in Watertown and the shift in culture he’s been a part of, his impact in teaching and training departments all over the state, the changes he’s enacted in his time as chief and the programs and initiatives he’s looking forward to in the future.

Around Town

Watertown Woman Running First Marathon & Raising Money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

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Watertown-native Despina Najarian will be running the 2025 Boston Marathon for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. A Watertown resident who had not been a runner until two years ago will be running the 2025 Boston Marathon and will raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Despina Najarian said she has always dreamed of completing a marathon, but only recently began running. “I only started running 2 years ago at the age of 29. I joined Orangetheory Fitness Waltham in November of 2022,” she said.

Around Town

Volunteers Needed for 41st Run of the Charles Paddle Race

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The following information was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Boston, MA

The Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race is the biggest paddling race in New England, celebrating its 41st race anniversary and the Charles River Watershed Association’s 50+ years of improvements to the health, beauty and enjoyment of the Charles River and its tributaries. Over 500 paddlers throughout the U.S., ages 12 and up, compete in the 3-, 6-, 9-mile and 14-Mile Races. Races start in Newton and Brighton and finish at DCR’s Artesani Park on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton. The Finish Line Festival will offer a range of entertainment for spectators and participants of all ages, free of charge. Paddlers and spectators can enjoy live music, Mi Corazon Mexican food truck, company picnics, a beer garden featuring The Black Harp traveling Irish Pub as well as other vendors to keep spectators entertained while they wait for the races to finish.  

Visit https://www.crwa.org/events/runofthecharles for more information. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Boston, MA

Have a great day while helping the Charles River Watershed Association!

Around Town

Snow Emergency Declared in Watertown for Saturday’s Storm

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown has declared a Snow Emergency starting at 8:00 PM on Saturday, February 8, 2025. The Snow Emergency will remain in effect until further notice. On-street parking is banned, and vehicles left on the street can be towed. Please assist by clearing snow from fire hydrants and catch basins. Remember that you are required to shovel the sidewalk abutting your property within 24 hours after snow ends.

Weather

Weather Forecast: A Week of Ups & Downs with Snow Over Weekend

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Watertown residents should prepare for a classic February weather pattern with plenty of ups and downs. After a quiet end to the week, all eyes are on a winter storm set to arrive late Saturday night, bringing a good chance for plowable snowfall across the area. While trends are favoring mostly snow, there’s still a small chance for some sleet or freezing rain to mix in. Once that system moves out, we’ll dry out to start the new workweek before another potential winter storm moves in by midweek. This second system is still uncertain in its track, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

Around Town

Snow Storm Closes Schools, Some Facailities in Watertown Others Remain Open

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The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

Due to the expected snow and icy conditions, the following Watertown facilities and activities will be closed on February 6, 2025. • Public Schools• The Library• The Senior Center• All Recreation Programs

City Hall and Parker Annex will remain open. There is no emergency parking ban, but we strongly encourage residents to park in their driveways if possible. For your safety, please minimize travel during the storm and use caution due to anticipated icy conditions. We also ask that you pre-treat sidewalks with ice melt and check on your neighbors, especially those who may need assistance.