Watertown News | Page 370 | Your Source for Local News

Detailed Designs of Middle School Being Created to See if City Can Afford a New School

By Charlie Breitrose | 3 hours ago

A vision of what a new Watertown Middle School could look like created by Ai3 Architects and presented to the School Committee in June 2025.

Architects have started creating detailed designs for a new Watertown Middle School to determine how much a new school would cost, and that information will be used by the City to see whether Watertown’s budget can handle a project expected to cost significantly more than $100 million.

What New Industries Might be Attracted to Watertown, Changes to the Square Discussed by City Manager

City Manager George Proakis spoke at the Watertown Business Coalition’s City Update on March 5, 2026. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown became a magnet for life science companies in the last several years, and City Manager George Proakis said the building boom in that industry may be slowed, but other industries may be attracted to the same things: proximity to Boston and the universities in the area, easy access, and a nice place to be.

Several Owls Visit Mount Auburn Cemetery During Long-Running Program Hosted by Owl Enthusiasts & Rescuers

Marcia Wilson holds a Eurasian Eagle Owl during the Eyes on Owls event at Mount Auburn Cemetery. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Mount Auburn Cemetery recently welcomed a couple who have devoted their lives to observing and caring for owls. They have traveled around New England in search of the raptors, from Crane Beach in Ipswich to Rye, New Hampshire, to Nantucket, and have ventured as far as Alaska, Serbia and Nunavut in the north of Canada to catch a glimpse of owls.

School Committee Votes on Watertown Middle School Start Time for 2026-27

Watertown Middle School (Courtesy of Watertown Public Schools)

The debate over when to start the day for middle school students returned to the Watertown School Committee this week, focusing on what time the school day should begin for the 2026-27 school year. The discussion has been complicated by impact on after-school sports and the shortage of fields in town.

More Headlines

Boston Bruins Player Gets an Education About a Sport for the Blind at Perkins School

WHS Sports: Wrestler Reaches 100 Wins; Girls Basketball & Boys Hockey in Tourney Play

New Signage for Paintings in City Hall Provides a Historical Perspective

Schools

LETTER: Candidate Reflects on 2023 Campaign

By Guest Writer | November 5, 2023

When I decided to run for School Committee, I had no idea how transformative an experience it would be. Over the past several years, I have immersed myself in Watertown formally and informally, watching scores of meetings, attending countless events, and knocking on over 1000 doors. This has been so educational for me. I am amazed by the people of this four square mile community. It is tremendously gratifying that so many have supported my candidacy. Their belief in me helps me to believe in myself.

Around Town

Nine Homes in Watertown Were Sold This Week

By Charlie Breitrose | November 5, 2023

Three single families and a pair of two family houses were among this week’s Watertown home sales.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey Rolls in Tourney Win Over Marlborough

By Charlie Breitrose | November 4, 2023

Watertown teammates congratulate junior Nola MacKenzie after she scored against Marlborough in the Round of 32 State Tournament game. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Two Raiders got a pair of goals apiece before halftime to lead the Watertown High School field hockey team to a 7-0 win over Marlborough in the Round of 32 game at Victory Field Saturday morning.

Around Town

Our History: Mills Along the Charles River in Watertown

By Guest Writer | November 4, 2023

Aetna Mills

The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Paul Brennan, former President and former Vice President of the Historical Society for the October 1998 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier.” When Paul was President, he lived in the Fowle House for 5 years and in December 2000 was named the “Town Historian” by the Town Council.

AETNA MILLS

On September 27, 1995, Paul Brennan, President of the Historical Society, greeted the members of the Senior Center for the sixth time in about a year for yet another much anticipated historic tour of a long-forgotten treasure of our town, the Aetna Mills. After a question and answer period in the Senior Center, the group of thirty members boarded the shuttle and traveled down to the banks of the Charles River to view one of Watertown’s early industrial influences of the 18th and 19th century.

Entertainment

Small Saves Prepares for Hockey Stardom in This Week’s Cartoon

By Guest Writer | November 4, 2023

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net.

Around Town

Prices Will Change Soon for Watertown Electricity Choice Customers

By Guest Writer | November 3, 2023

The City of Watertown provided the following information:

Prices for Watertown Electricity Choice will move to market levels when the current contract with NextEra Energy Service ends and a new, 36-month contract with Direct Energy Services, LLC, takes effect in December.

Around Town

A Baker’s Dozen of Open Houses in Watertown This Week

By Charlie Breitrose | November 3, 2023

Check out all the properties hosting homebuyers over the weekend.

Police/Fire

Mother Struck by Car Outside Cunniff School, Taken to Hospital

By Charlie Breitrose | November 3, 2023

Photo by Alejandro Mejía Greene/JubiloHaku via Flickr Creative Commons

A woman was struck by a vehicle as she was putting her child into a car seat outside Cunniff Elementary School on Thursday afternoon, and was taken to hospital.