Police Log: Vehicles Broken Into, Small Fire at Business

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

None

Incidents

Watertown Police received one report of unemployment fraud for the week of Dec. 21-27. Dec. 21, 6:25 p.m.: An employee of a company on Pleasant Street was supposed to receive a Samsung Galaxy tablet, but did not get it.

Watertown Schools Starting 2021 Remotely, COVID-19 Testing Available for Students

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public School:

Due to our desire to kick-start our new year off well, we will be focusing on testing students and staff who may have traveled or spent extended time with people outside of their immediate household prior to the return to in-person learning. In order to accomplish this, we will start the year in our remote learning model, Monday, January 4 through Wednesday, January 6, with a return to in-person learning on Thursday, January 7. In addition to our protocols for social distancing, PPE, handwashing, and staying home when sick, student testing is one of the safety measures that has allowed us to remain open. To date, we have processed 3698 staff tests, with 5 positives, and 317 pools of up to 10 students in each pool withonly 3 positive pools. The indication from these tests is that less than .15% of our students and staff that are part of our testing program have tested positive.

Marijuana Dispensary Hosting Community Meeting to Discuss Potential Move

Natural Selections, Watertown’s first medical marijuana dispensary, will be opening soon. Watertown’s first marijuana dispensary, Natural Selections, seeks to move when the lease at its current location expires. A Community Meeting will be held to discuss the proposed new location on Jan. 6 at 5 p.m. It will be held remotely via Zoom. The dispensary opened in July for medical marijuana sales and in December started recreational sales.

Watertown Basketball, Hockey Teams Playing Reduced Schedule in 2021

The winter high school sports season will begin right after New Year’s, and in the condensed schedule Watertown will only play teams in the Middlesex Freedom Division. Due to COVID-19, the schedule had been reduced to 10 games this year. Only the WHS basketball and hockey teams will be participating in the winter season, and they will play the same team at home and away each week. No fans will be allowed at games, according to the Boston Globe. Home games will be broadcast on Watertown Cable (WCATV.org).

Town Offering Free COVID-19 Testing in January

The following information was provided by the Town of Watertown:

The Town of Watertown is offering, by appointment only, one – free COVID-19 Test for Watertown residents. Testing is free, does not require a medical referral and you do not need to have COVID-19 symptoms to get tested. Pre-registration is required to receive a test (preregistration details below) and we ask that you only sign up for one test to allow other residents access to testing.]

Testing will be held inside the Commander’s Mansion 440 Talcott Avenue on the following dates and times:

Tuesday January 5, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 6, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PMTuesday January 12, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 13, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PMTuesday January 19, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 20, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PMTuesday January 26, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 27, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

In order to obtain an appointment a Watertown resident must pre-register by clicking on the following link: https://proemscovidtesting.as.me/watertown

This is not a drive up test. Watertown residents who have an appointment will enter into the Commander’s Mansion and with the assistance of Pro Ambulance employees will conduct a self-administering nasal swab (PCR test). Test results: As a reminder, a negative test does not mean you cannot spread COVID-19, or get infected with COVID-19, at a later date.

COVID Vaccinations Coming Soon to Watertown Senior Living Community

People living at The Residence at Watertown Square senior living community will be among the first to get the COVID-19 vaccine. {Updated on Jan. 4, 2021 at 4 p.m. with new testing day}

The residents of a senior living community will be some of the first people in Watertown to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The first shots are expected to be given to residents and staff at The Residence at Watertown Square on Jan. 22, 2021, said Ted Doyle, a spokesperson for The Residence, which is part of LCB Senior Living.

Watertown Restaurants Cooking Something Up for New Year’s Celebrations

Several Watertown restaurants have special menus planned to ring in 2021. City Works & Pour House will host a Brew Year’s Eve event on Dec. 31, 2020 with a special menu, including filet medallions, short rib and Cajun linguine. See more details here. Branch Line will be cooking up special meals to take home to celebrate New Year’s Eve, including entrees of prime rib or lobster thermidor.