Sold Out Donohue’s Turkey Trot Draws More Than 1,500 Runners & Walkers

More than 1,500 people took part in the 20th Donohue’s Turkey Trot. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The 20th edition of the Donohue’s Turkey Trot drew the biggest crowd in the history of the Thanksgiving morning 5K run and walk. More than 1,500 people joined in the event, which raises money for the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. The Turkey Trot has become a Thanksgiving tradition in Watertown. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Competitors came from as far as New Zealand and England to take part in the Turkey Trot, said JD Donohue, owner of Donohue’s.

JIM’S VIEW: Watertown Beats Belmont in the 103rd Edition of the Thanksgiving Day Rivalry

Watertown’s defense celebrates after stopping Belmont on fourth down late in the Thanksgiving Day Game. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

On a beautifully sunny Thanksgiving morning, with a gusty wind making it feel a little cooler then it really was, the 3-7 Watertown Raiders welcomed the 0-9 Belmont Marauders to Victory Field for the 103rd meeting of these two schools that dates back to 1921. In a game that was close throughout, Watertown won its second straight Thanksgiving Day game, this time by the score of 21-12. There’s so much great that comes from sport. The practice and the training and the education and the challenge and the joy, and even the heartbreak. Football provides all of that and more, and it’s why the sport is so popular. It’s also so because there’s a comradery that is formed from battling it out on the football field, and winless or undefeated or somewhere in-between, there’s so much to value in the experience of being part of a football team. It was clear from the start that Belmont, despite a difficult season that had them scoring only 36 points in nine games and being shut out five times, was together as a team and ready to give it its all to win the rivalry game. The sideline was into it, the players on the field were into it, and it was a sign of good coaching that Belmont was showing no quit on this day. 

The Raiders block a Marauders punt on Thanksgiving.

City Will Buy Modular Classrooms to Give Time & Flexibility for Middle School Project

The City Council voted to purchase the modular classrooms currently being used as the temporary Watertown High School at Moxley Field. (Courtesy by City of Watertown)

City Councilors unanimously voted to purchase the modular classrooms set up on Moxley Field on Tuesday. The City will make up the cost by eliminating leasing costs, and by owning them there will no longer be a rush to start a project to renovate or rebuild Watertown Middle School and there are hopes of reducing the price tag for that project. In the latest meeting regarding the future of the Middle School, City Manager George Proakis said buying the modulars for $2.2 million makes sense. It gives School and City officials time to plan because the current lease of the modulars ends on April 30, 2026.

Rivals Square Off Thursday Morning at Victory Field With Pride & Bragging Rights on The Line

Watertown hopes to keep the Thanksgiving Gam trophy in 2025. Last year. the Raiders won the Thanksgiving Game at Belmont. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

On Thursday morning, Nov. 27th, better known as Thanksgiving, young men from Watertown and Belmont will suit up to play football for the chance to say “we beat them” in the 103rd edition of the Raiders versus Maurauders rivalry. And the beauty of it all is that it doesn’t matter what has transpired leading up to this game, either this season in terms of each schools overall record or past Thanksgiving Day games. It’s all about the day at hand and trying to put together 48 minutes of winning football.

Board of Health Revokes Licenses for 2 Bodywork Businesses, Details of Inspections Discussed

Two body works businesses in Watertown had their permits revoked by the Board of Health for violations of the City’s Bodywork Regulations and other local and state regulations. Inspections found evidence of sexual services and employees living at the business. On Nov. 12, six businesses were found to be in violation of regulations set by the Watertown Board of Health, the Building Department, and the Zoning Department, as well as the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure. They had a range of violations, and two — Sunflower Spa and Health Hall — appeared before the Board of Health due to the extent of the violations.

City Council Looking at Middle School Options; High School Project on Time, Receiving Solar Reimbursement

A new middle school could still be a possibility in the near future, as the City Council discusses the options on Nov. 25, 2026. Above is a vision of what a new Watertown Middle School could look like created by Ai3 Architects. Tuesday night, the future of the Watertown Middle School may be decided by the City Council. Councilors have discussed how to approach the rehabilitation of the school at 68 Waverley Ave.

ZBA Has Suggestions or Residential Project on Water Street, Gets Update on 104 Main St. Project

An illustration of the proposed residential project at 108 Water St. (Courtesy of Eaglebrook Capital). The Zoning Board of Appeals gave plenty of input on the proposed 52-unit residential project proposed for Water Street, but continued the hearing until December so that designers could make some adjustments to the plans. The board also granted a requested change for the project at 104 Main St., and got an update on the building going up across from the Watertown Library. 108 Water St.