Eversource

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.”

Police/Fire

Police Log: Woman Punched in Road Rage Incident, Driver Won’t Stop for Police

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.: An office spotted a vehicle run a red light in Watertown Square, and continue on North Beacon Street toward Brighton. The driver was pulled over in front of the Volkswagen dealership, and when police checked the driver’s record they found he had a revoked license due to repeated traffic offenses. The 45-year-old Peabody man was arrested for driving with a suspended license – a subsequent offense – and a red light violation.

Police/Fire

Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Academy Accepting Applications

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Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced applications are now available for youngsters wishing to participate in the 2017 Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA). Now in its 18th year, YPSA provides a safe, educational, low-cost summer camp option for Middlesex County youth. For the first time, the camp will now be open to children ages 8-12, where in prior years those ages 9-11 were eligible. “Each year, YPSA is one of the best programs we are able to offer,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “Thanks to our incredible staff and all our partners in law enforcement and the fire services, YPSA is an exciting opportunity for youngsters to learn valuable public safety lessons in a fun-filled environment.”

YPSA is comprised of six, one-week camps beginning on July 10.

Around Town

Sign Up for the 4th Annual Watertown Police Finish Strong 5K

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The Watertown Police Department will host their fourth annual 5K road race and walk in April, and you can sign up now. The WPD put out the following announcement:

We cordially invite you to participate in the 4th annual Watertown Police Finish Strong 5K road race and walk. This event will support the Watertown Police Relief Committee and the Watertown Police Supervisors Association. The Watertown Police Relief Association was organized in 1936 and changed to the Watertown Police Relief Committee in 2008. Our membership is comprised of sworn personnel, regardless of rank, as well as all retired officers.