Around Town
Man Growing Beard to Raise Money for Martin Richard Foundation
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Joshua Vernon is growing a beard to be Watertown Strong and to raise money for a charity created in memory of one of the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing.
Bodywork Businesses Shutdown by City, One Had “Items of Sexual Nature”
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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
The Watertown Public Health Department, in collaboration with the Watertown Police Department, Zoning & Code Enforcement Team, Inspectional Services Division, and with assistance from the FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation — Human Trafficking Task Force, conducted inspections of bodywork establishments in Watertown on July 22, 2026, resulting in closure of multiple businesses due to violations of the City’s rules and regulations.
TREATY DAY 250: Pact Signed in Watertown in 1776 Remains Alive 250 Years Later
Members of the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet tribes traveled to take part in the celebration fo the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Watertown (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Hundreds packed a theater in Watertown on Saturday to celebrate an event that took place 250 years before. The town was the site of the signing of the United States’ first treaty with a foreign nation — the Treaty of Watertown. Descendants of the signers of the document from the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet tribes emphasized that the agreement that was forged as a wartime alliance also created friendships and provided rights and protections for the signers that are still important in 2026.
UPDATE: Vehicle Strikes Pole on Main Street, Knocks Out Power in Area – Repairs to Take Until After 9 p.m.
A pole struck by a vehicle lies on top of power lines on Main Street. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A vehicle struck a utility pole on Main Street, snapping it in half and cutting off power for several hundred customers on Monday around noon.
Watertown Tax Relief Legislation Approved by House, Moves to Senate
Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026, to discuss the City’s Home Rule Petition. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris.
The City of Watertown’s effort to prevent a tax hike for residential property owners, which could be as high as 18%, cleared a major hurdle when it was approved the the House of Representatives on Beacon Hill.
More Headlines
Water & Sewer Rates Increasing More Than Expected Due to Error in Calculations
Possible Purchase of Police Drone and Guidelines for Use Discussed by Council Committee
A Pair of World Cup Final Watch Parties in Watertown
Around Town
Watertown Baseball Team Dedicating Season to Fallen Firefighter
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Players of the Watertown High School baseball team wear special hats this season with the words “LT ED WALSH BFD” embroidered on them to honor a former Raider player.
Police/Fire
See How the Watertown Boy’s Lacrosse Team Paid Tribute to Lt. Ed Walsh
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Members of the Watertown High School boy’s lacrosse team took the field last week with a special honor for fallen Boston Firefighter and Watertown native Edward Walsh.
Government
Public Works Wins Award for Work When Bombing Suspects Came to Town
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Watertown’s Public Works Department may not get the same heralding as the Police and Fire departments for the work during the search for the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, but the workers will get a big accolade this summer.
Police/Fire
Watertown Police Officer Recalls Facing the Marathon Bombing Suspects
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Watertown Police Sgt. John MacLellan was the second officer to arrive at the intersection of Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street where police faced the armed and dangerous Boston Marathon Bombing suspects.
Police/Fire
See Which Watertown Police Officers are Running the Marathon
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A dozen Watertown Police officers, including Chief Edward Deveau, will be taking on the 26.2 miles of the Boston Marathon this year.
Around Town
Councilors Talk About Lowering Capital Budget to Help Fund Schools
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With a large budget request by the Watertown Public Schools, some Town Councilors asked if some of the increase for the schools could be found by cutting capital spending.
Charity
Finish Strong Road Race Heading Through Site of Watertown Shootout
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In the early hours of April 19, 2013, the intersection of Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street was the scene of chaos and danger as the Watertown Police confronted the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects. A year later the area will be part of a community celebration.