Around Town

TRASH STRIKE: Union Votes to Remain on Strike, Watertown Curbside Collection Continues But Other Services Not Open

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Trash and recycling bins on Main Street. (Photo by Dean Martino)

The strike by union members working for Republic Services will continue after Teamsters Local 25 voted to reject the latest proposal on Wednesday. The strike began more than two months ago on July 1. Union members, representing 400 workers, voted down the offer by more than 84 percent, according to an announcement from Teamsters Local 25. “This group is one of the strongest groups I’ve ever worked with in my more than three decades as a Teamster,” said Teamsters Local 25 President Tom Mari.

Police/Fire

Three Killed in Apparent Murder-Suicide Were a “Blended Family,” Leave Behind a Baby

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The house on Boyd Street shared by the three killed in an apparent murder-suicide discovered on Aug. 31. (Google Streetview Image)

The three people killed in an apparent murder-suicide in Watertown were part of a “blended family” in which the younger couple helped care for the elderly owners of the home on Boyd Street. The husband of the older couple passed away in early August; and the younger couple had a baby, for whom extended family is seeking a new home. On Tuesday, the Middlesex District Attorney’s office and the Watertown Police announced that the preliminary investigation suggests that Nadia Abrahamian, 80, and Karine Asatryan, 35, were shot and killed by David Minasvand, 31 inside their home.

Police/Fire

Three Deaths in Watertown Being Investigated as a Murder-Suicide Case, Couple Had a Baby

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The deaths by gunshot of three people on Boyd Street in Watertown are being investigated as a murder-suicide, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The three were identified, and the DA’s office said the couple had a young child, who was not there at the time of the shootings. The bodies were discovered on Aug. 31. WCVB Channel 5 reported that District Attorney Marian Ryan said, the older woman lived on one floor of the home, while the other two lived together with their newborn baby on the bottom floor in a separate living area of the same unit, and that the baby was not present during the time of the shooting.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Identify 2 Suspects for Recent Car Thefts & Break-ins

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An image of one of the suspects in a series of recent car thefts and break-ins around Watertown. (Courtesy of Watertown Police)

Two suspects in a string of motor vehicle thefts and car break-ins have been identified by the Watertown Police, who warn residents to lock their vehicles and be vigilant. On Monday, Sept. 1, Police said they made progress the case. “(Monday) we had a break in the case that resulted in two juvenile suspects being identified.

Police/Fire

Neighbors Heard Sister of Victim Screaming After Finding 3 Dead in Home; House Had Been in the Same Family for Years

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Neighbors of the home on Boyd Street where three people were found dead Sunday morning heard the sister of one of the victims screaming after she discovered the three bodies with gunshot wounds. They also said the home had been owned by the same family for many years. On Aug. 31, Watertown Police and the Middlesex District Attorney’s office said the three victims — an elderly woman and a couple — lived in one unit of the two-family home and knew each other. They added that there was no threat to the public.

Around Town

Snapping Turtle Found in Dead in Watertown from Rodent Poison

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The snapping turtle found dead from rodent poison. (Photo by Lauren Ulm)

A large snapping turtle was found dead near the bank of Charles River in Watertown, and the cause of death was determined to be from a rodent poison that prevents blood from clotting. The case is the first documented death of a snapping turtle by rodenticide in Massachusetts, according to a wildlife advocacy group. The turtle was found in July and the veterinarian who determined the cause of death, Amanda Leef from Heal Veterinary Clinic in East Watertown, said it is unusual to see a turtle die in that way. Leef has a wildlife rehabilitation license, and does work with Save Mass Wildlife to study sick and dead wildlife.