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City Council President Mark Sideris. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
After receiving questions about and requests to protect immigrants in Watertown in recent weeks, City Council President Mark Sideris emphasized the steps being taken by the City to provide safety and security, but said he does not favor the City Council passing a resolution or executive order regarding immigrants in Watertown.
The second annual Watertown Eco Fest will feature activities including electric bike test rides, vendors of sustainable products, activities for kids, and more. The event, hosted by the City of Watertown, will also include representatives from City departments and community organizations focused on sustainability.
Tutor Intelligence’s Data Factory 1, which has 100 AI robots performing tasks, is part of the company’s new headquarters at Riverworks in Watertown (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A building along the Charles River in Watertown where textiles were once made has a new tenant involved in manufacturing. Tutor Intelligence creates AI robots that are used by companies from coast to coast.
By Kendra FoleyChair, Watertown School Committee
The Watertown School Committee has been busy over the last two months tackling budget decisions, discussing policy changes, and reviewing educational data that affects our school community.
The Watertown Police will discuss the technology used by the WPD at the event on Jan. 21. Topics will include the cameras that can take pictures of license plates, body cameras, and more. See more info in the announcement from the Watertown Police, below.
More than a dozen open houses in Watertown this week.
Caspian Persian Cuisine opened Jan. 1, 2026, on Bigelow Avenue. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A new restaurant has joined the eating scene in East Watertown, with a familiar team behind it. Caspian Persian Cuisine opened at 72 Bigelow Ave. on Jan. 1, 2026 led by the former owners of Molana, the eatery that operated in Watertown Square for more than a quarter century.
The Girls Varsity Basketball Team is young, starting two freshman and a sophomore, and the first off the bench is a freshman. The season is young, as the Raiders have only five games under their belt, yet they are already 3-1 in Middlesex League play and in first place in the Freedom Division, heading into Tuesday night’s game versus Reading. And the year is young, as Tuesday night’s game was the first of nine games in January that will tell a lot about how this team manages growth and development in the competitive Middlesex League. The game was the girls’ first in seven days, but rust was not an issue as the Raiders came out humming to the tune of a 16-2 first quarter on the way to a 43-32 win, getting January off to a great start.
I have a diverse group of entertainments for you this weekend, with an emphasis on international culture, and including with a restaurant recommendation. Have you heard that a wonderful Ethiopian restaurant opened in Watertown Square last year? Start out your Friday exploring that delicious cuisine at Lalibela on Spring Street. On Saturday evening there is a music performance at Restaurant Chulo with Nepali singer Ram Krishna Dakhal. Sunday there is a play at the Mosesian called “The Miraculous Journey of Edward the Rabbit.” Take your young ones and enjoy the play, but there is one unique feature, it’s in Russian! Sunday morning there is a meetup for creatives called The Studio Social for photographers, videographers and content creatures to share ideas, discuss projects and collaborate. They would love to expand their group. Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Mount Auburn Cemetery has an exhibit of work by their current artist in residence, Juls Gabs. Go take in the art in the Bigelow Chapel and then stroll through the winter wonderland of the cemetery at this time of year.
John J. York
A Mass of Christian Burial for Retired Watertown Detective Sergeant John J. York will be celebrated on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Church of St. Patrick, 212 Main St., Watertown.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.
Watertown High School graduates Caroline Andrade and Taylor Lambo earned honors for their college teams.
Two former Watertown Raiders have gone on to excel at the next level. Field hockey player Caroline Andrade was named Rookie of the Year at Westfield State, and Hamilton College basketball player Taylor Lambo was named player of the week.