Fallen Firefighter

Fallen Firefighter’s Family Devastated; Remembers His Kindness, Talents

By |

The family of fallen Watertown firefighter Joseph Toscano remembered him as a loving father, a generous man and a master craftsman. 

The Toscano family released a statement Friday. The 21-year veteran of the Watertown Fire Department leaves behind his wife and five children, who were “the center of his life.” “Our family is devastated by the loss we suffered today as our loving husband and father was taken from us suddenly while responding to a fire. Joe took immense pride and joy in being a husband to Maureen, his wife of 25 years, and dad to Alyssa, Patrick, Mary Cate, William and Michael,” the statement reads. “This is an unthinkable loss for our family.

Police/Fire

Fallen Watertown Firefighter, Husband and Father of 5 Mourned by Friends

By |

Friday morning, Watertown lost a great father, a talented cook and an excellent firefighter when a 21-year veteran of the Watertown Fire Department collapsed at a fire and died later at the hospital. Joseph Toscano, 54, of Randolph, joined he Watertown Fire Department in September 1996, and leaves behind his wife Maureen and five children between the ages of 12 and 19 – three boys and two girls. Deputy Fire Chief Bob Quinn knew Toscano well, having chosen him to be his aide and driver 12 years ago when Quinn became a fire deputy. “I got to select my aide when I became deputy,” Quinn said. “I chose him because he was a good firefighter, and a smart guy.”

Fire

Firefighter Dies Fighting a 2 Alarm Fire in East Watertown

By |

A Watertown firefighter died after collapsing while fighting a two alarm fire on Merrrield Avenue Friday morning. Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn choked up as he told the media that a Watertown firefighter had lost his life. “Our officers in were able to evacuate two people from the home as well as some pets,” Lawn said at about noon. “During the course of the fire a firefighter collapsed. He was transported to Mt.

Eversource

Pickup Truck Knocks Down Utility Pole, Knocks Out Power to Hundreds

By |

A pickup truck swerved off a West Watertown road and struck a utility pole, knocking out power to nearly 200 in the area. 

The accident occurred around 6:40 a.m. Friday and reportedly involved a commercial van. The white full-sized pickup hit the pole on Philip Darch Road, about a block from Lexington Street. The pole broke a few feet from the bottom, fell, and took down power and other utility lines. No injuries were reported, according to Watertown Police. An Eversource official said that about 175 customers in the area lost power.

Charity

Ed Walsh Foundation Hosting Fundraiser to Put More Books in Schools

By |

The Ed Wash Foundation, in memory of the fallen Boston firefighter and Watertown native, will host a Spring Fundraiser on March 24 featuring music, food and raffles. 

The event will be held on March 24, 2017 from 7 p.m.-midnight at the American Legion Post 440, 295 California St., Newton. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 at door Purchase tickets at bit.ly/March32417

Entertainment for the evening will be provided by Boston rock band Fenian Sons. Proceeds from the event will be used for the Smile-On Grant program that provides grant money to teachers, coaches, parents and specialists who help children in school and sports, according to the organizers. “Please help us by bringing a book for our book drive. Imagine a school without a library, or a home with no books to read when you get home from school.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Caught in Drug Sting, Road Rage Incident and Counterfeit Bills

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
March 8, 11:27 a.m.: A Lawrence man was arrested in Watertown as part of a drug sting that also included busts in Dorchester and Brighton. The arrest came after a two-month investigation by the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force and the Boston Police Drug Control Unit. Police found fentanyl – a prescription opioid – and cash when they searched the home on Riverside Street. The man, identified as Carlos Alfredo German-Peguero, 25, of Lawrence, was arrested on charges of trafficking in fentanyl, giving a false name and on an immigration detainer.

Grand Jury

Man Who Phoned in Bomb Threat, 2 Who Broke into Gas Station Indicted

By |

A man who allegedly phoned in a bomb threat to his worksite was among the four suspects in crimes that occurred in Watertown who were indicted by a Middlesex County Grand Jury, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s Office announced. 

Lawrence Benjamin, 27, of Lowell, was charged with willfully communicating a bomb threat willful and malicious communication of false information to public safety answering points. The Assistant District Attorney is Jessica Noble. On Sept. 26, State Police received a 911 call from a person saying there was a bomb at a building on Bridge Street, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. Watertown Police were contacted and went to the address to evacuate the building, which is under renovation. Police linked the phone number where the call came from to Benjamin, O’Connor said, and the man gave police a false name and claimed his phone had been stolen.

Drug Bust

Drug Busts in Watertown, Boston Leads to Arrest of 2 Linked to Overdoses

By |

Three search warrants executed simultaneously in Watertown, Dorchester and Brighton netted large amounts of narcotics and money, and led to the arrest of two men connected to overdoses in the Boston Metro area. The Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force – which includes a Watertown Police detective – and the Boston Police Drug Control Unit made the raids on Thursday in which tens of thousands of dollars were confiscated along with an amount of fentanyl – a synthetic opioid – with the street value of about $10,000. “(Fentanyl) is very dangerous. We see that involved in a lot of overdoses,” said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “A lot of times it is cut with other agents, but the stuff we got was pure fentanyl.”