Sports

Watertown Man Leaps into National Finals of NBC’s American Ninja Warrior

By |

Matt D’Amico (right) who grew up in Watertown, with American Ninja Warrior Coach and business partner Lucas Reale during the recent Eastern Regional Finals. (Photo by Scott Everett White/NBC)

Remember when you were 6 years old and got your first baseball mitt or hockey stick, in anticipation of playing games that would become the passion of a lifetime? Well, there’s a whole new generation of young athletes passing on team sports for the opportunity to attend Obstacle Training Facilities that offer Ninja Warrior classes. Matt D’amico represents one such example, a local boy turned young man, and his story of independence, effort, determination and maturity – ultimately leading to success in more ways than one. Matt D’amico, 25, lives in Billerica, but is born and bred in Watertown. Matt attended Watertown schools until eigth grade and then was home-schooled through the age of 16. At that point, he made a decision that has changed his life in only good ways- Matt began training to be an American Ninja Warrior. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 🇳🇬Akbar Gbajabiamila🇺🇸 (@akbar_gbaja)

For the uneducated, which included me prior to writing this story, “Ninja Warrior” is a highly demanding obstacle course competition and sport.

Real Estate

Record Breaking Home Sale in Watertown, Single Family Goes for $2.6+ Million

By |

The home that fetched a record-breaking figure in Watertown. (Courtesy of Compass)

A four-bedroom Colonial near Oakley Country Club sold for the highest price on record for a single-family home in Watertown. The home at 122 Garfield Street closed for $2.65 million on July 15, 2026. The seller’s agent was Sarah Shimoff of Compass. The home with four bedrooms, three full baths and one half bath was rebuilt and refinished in 2016-17, and has views of the Country Club.

Elections

State Rep. Candidate Debate to be Hosted by Watertown News, Watertown Cable

By |

In the first of two debates for races in the Sept. 1, 2026 State Primary, the candidates for 10th Middlesex State Representative will appear in a live televised debate on Watertown Cable Access Television. The debate is co-sponsored by Watertown News. State Rep. John Lawn and challenger Alison Leary, who is a Newton City Councilor, will be in the Watertown Cable studio for the debate on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026 at 7 p.m. The moderator will be Watertown Cable Anchor Jim Vershbow.

Development

City Council to Hold First Discussion of Watertown Square Project, Including a Parking Garage

By |

The proposed Demonstration Project in Watertown Square — which includes a parking garage, a residential building, retail space, and green open space — will be discussed by the City Council on Aug. 10 at the Watertown Library. See more information provided by the City of Watertown, below. The City Council, sitting as the Redevelopment Authority, is hosting a hybrid meeting to have an initial discussion regarding the Demonstration Project plan. We encourage you to join and participate in the meeting.

Government

Bodywork Businesses Shutdown by City, One Had “Items of Sexual Nature”

By |

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. These inspections were carried out in accordance with the City of Watertown’s rules and regulations governing bodywork with the goal of ensuring compliance to safeguard residents and businesses in Watertown, as well as protect against human trafficking. This joint operation was conducted at four establishments, resulting in all locations being shut down. One of the locations, Thai Body Spa (12 Belmont St.), was shut down due to items of sexual nature present, no Certificate of Occupancy, and no bodywork permit. The other three locations were closed down for failing to acquire appropriate certifications, including a Certificate of Occupancy and/or bodywork permit.

Around Town

TREATY DAY 250: Pact Signed in Watertown in 1776 Remains Alive 250 Years Later

By |

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. The City of Watertown joined with the Historical Society of Watertown, and members of Maliseet, Mi’kmaq tribes, as well as representatives of the Massachusett Tribe, whose territory includes Watertown, to plan a grand celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Watertown on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. Around 50 members of the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet tribes came down from Maine, and parts of Canada for the Treaty celebration.

Police/Fire

UPDATE: Vehicle Strikes Pole on Main Street, Knocks Out Power in Area – Repairs to Take Until After 9 p.m.

By |

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. The utility pole sits at the corner of Main Street and Pilgrim Road. The top half of the pole fell on top of nearby wires. “It’s an ongoing issue,” said Watertown Police Lt. Kevin McManus.