Around Town

Watertown Historian Backs Bill Exonerating People Accused of Witchcraft Prior to Salem Trials

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Marilynne Roach, center-right, and State Rep. Steve Owens, center-left, at the State House on the day that Roach spoke during a hearing about exonerating the victims of witch trials before the ones in Salem. (Photo by Caroline Enos / The Salem News)

Watertown historian and author Marilynne Roach who has researched the Salem Witch Trials recently testified at the State House for a bill that would exonerate the eight people, including two with ties to Watertown, found guilty of being alleged witches before the Salem 1692 panic. Roach has written multiple books about the Witch Trials in Massachusetts, and wanted to find a way to give those found guilty some justice. “A few months ago I spoke with Rep. Steven Owens at one of his regular visits to the Senior Center to ask about getting a bill to clear the names of the people found guilty of witchcraft before the well-known Salem outbreak,” Roach said. “Needless to say, the verdicts were based on faulty evidence.

Police/Fire

Two Killed in Multi-Vehicle Accident, Victims Were Returning to Church After a Funeral

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Two people died Tuesday during a multi-vehicle accident in East Watertown. The crash occurred after a funeral service in Watertown. First responders were called to Bigelow Avenue at around noon on Dec. 23 for a motor vehicle accident. “Upon arrival, it was determined that two individuals had succumbed to their injuries as a result of the collision,” police said in a statement to WBZ Channel 4.

Entertainment

Watertown Band, Dolata, Releasing First EP & Hosting Listening Party

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Dolata, from top left counter clockwise, Madi Donlan, Joe Froeber, Reilly Somach, and Amelia Allison. Dolata, a band out of Watertown featuring dual lead singers, recently released its debut single, and will soon host a listening party for its first EP. Co-lead singers, Madi Donlan, of Watertown, and Joe Froeber, a native of the North Shore, teamed up recently to form the the new band. In November, Dolata released its first song, “Friday Girl,” which Donlan wrote based on her own experiences. “When I first started writing it, it was about a best friend of mine, Jill, who passed away a few years back,” Donlan said.

Schools

Watertown Model UN Earns Honors at Boston Latin Conference

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Watertown High School’s Model United Nations club sent more than 40 students to the compeition at Boston Latin in November. (Contributed Photo)

A group of Watertown High School students showed their skills at diplomacy and negotiation and public speaking during the Model United Nations conference at Boston Latin School. Ten WHS students earned awards, including one who earned Best Delegate honors. The Model UN Club is an afterschool activity that has been growing in interest at the High School, said WHS social studies teacher David Mastro, who is the club advisor along with Bannon Beall. The Boston Latin Conference included at least 20 schools and around 300 students, Mastro said.

Business

Watertown Bids Farewell to China Rainbow, a Dining Destination for More than Half a Century

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China Rainbow, a Watertown dining institution since 1973, closed on Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Word spread fast after the announcement that one of Watertown’s dining institutions would be closing. Diners lined up to get a seat at opening time, and good luck finding a seat at dinner time. Fans of China Rainbow wanted to get one last tasty meal and a Mai Tai before owner Tammy Young retired after more than 50 years.

Sports

Three Watertown High Athletes Sign Letters of Intent to Play Sports at College Level

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Watertown High School seniors Ava Lamacchia, Gavin Foley, and Sophia Setouhi signed their letters of intent to play college sports. (Photo by Watertown Athletics)

A boys soccer player and a pair of field hockey players from Watertown High School will continue their careers in college. This week, Gavin Foley, Sophia Setouhi, and Ava Lamacchia signed their letters of intent to play at the next level. Gavin Foley poses with his family after signing his letter of intent to play soccer at Brandeis. (Photo by Watertown Athletics)

Foley, who helped the Raiders boys soccer team reach the Round of 16 in the 2025 MIAA Div.

Development

52-Unit Residential Building on Water Street Approved by Zoning Board

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A view of 108 Water St., the 52-unit residential project approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. (Eaglebrook Capital)

The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the planned 52-unit residential building at 108 Water Street on Wednesday night after designers made changes to exterior design of the building, along with some other alterations to the first plan presented in November. The condo building will have a mix of nine studios, 30 one bedrooms, 12 two bedrooms, and one three bedrooms. Eight of the units would meet the City’s affordable housing requirements. The building is five stories, with the fifth story stepped back seven feet as required in the Watertown Square 2 Zoning. One of the concerns raised by the board at the first meeting was the look of the ground floor that runs along Water Street and gets taller as the grade goes downhill.

Environment

City Council Sends Letter to MWRA Opposing Allowing Sewage Overflow in the Charles River

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Dave MartinA view down the Charles River from the Bridge on North Beacon Street. The City Council sent a letter to the MWRA opposing allowing sewage overflow from being released into the Charles River and returning to the days when the river was a “dumping ground for sewage.” The Council voted unanimously to support the letter at the Dec. 9 meeting. City Council President Mark Sideris said Watertown has invested in cleaning up the river.