Sports

2 Watertown Wrestlers Qualify for All-State Meet After Solid Div. 3 State Meet

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Watertown seniors Jimmy Shrestha, left, and Fahad Khan both finished fourth in their divisions at the MIAA Div. 3 State Wrestling Championships. (Courtesy of Watertown Athletics)

Watertown’s Jimmy Shrestha and Fahad Khan will compete with the top wrestlers from across Massachusetts after both placed fourth at the MIAA Div. 3 State Meet in Gloucester on Saturday. Both seniors placed among the highest finishes in the State Meet in Watertown history, said Watertown Wrestling Coach Kevin Russo.

Government

Watertown Calls Snow Emergency, See What’s Closed

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On-street parking will be prohibited during the Snow Emergency for the storm that could drop more 18 inches of snow on Watertown. Several City facilities will be closed Monday, and trash and recycling will be impacted by the storm. Watertown falls near the area where WCVB Channel 5 forecasts 18 inches of snow. The National Weather Service issued a Blizzard Warning from Sunday at 4 p.m. to Monday at 7 a.m. with sustained winds of 25 mph and gusts up to 54 mph. It will be the first blizzard in the area for four years, according to WCVB.

Development

City Starting Detailed Designs for Watertown Square Intersection, Revitalization of Commercial Area

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The future of Watertown Square will be designed in 2026 with plans for major changes to the intersection as well as the commercial district in and around the Square. (Photo by City of Watertown)

More than a year after the zoning for Watertown Square was approved, City officials are preparing to begin the creation of two detailed plans to revitalize the Watertown Square commercial area, and to redesign the intersection. The project includes changes gto the roadway and intersection, as well as building on the parking lots in the Square. Discussions about the future of Watertown’s major intersection began in November 2023 with the multi-day design charrette, and continued through 2024 with the approval of the new zoning in July 2024, known as the Watertown Square Area Plan (click here to see the approved plan). During 2025, the work has been internal within the City’s Department of Community Development and Planning, in conjuction with consultants, to come up with a Revitalization Plan and designs for the new intersection in the Square, according to the City’s announcement about the implementation of the Watertown Square Area Plan.

Around Town

In 2nd Year, Civics Academy Will Teach Residents Even More About How Watertown’s Government Works

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Watertown’s first Civics Academy drew such good reviews that in its second year it will be even longer so that participants can learn even more about how local government works and city departments function. In 2026, the City of Watertown’s Civics Academy will be seven weeks, said Tyler Cote, the City’s Community Engagement Specialist and one of the Civics Academy organizers. “Last year, we did six (weeks) and, to be honest, we ran over just about every single week on time,” Cote said. “Part of that was there’s so much to cover. Our students asked so many questions last year that we wanted to maybe give more space and time for questions, and then also allow more time for activities.”

Sports

Swimmer from Watertown Sets School Record at Bridgwater State

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Jirat Saengthong

Jirat Saengthong of Watertown set a new standard at Bridgewater State in the 200 freestyle during the Little East Conference Championships in Wellesley on Feb. 14. The junior finished second with a time of 1:45.80, eclipsing the previous BSU record of 1:46.39 set by Jameson Rose in 2017. He improved his personal best by 0.82 seconds, and the performance was one of three school records set by Bridgwater State swimmers that day. Saengthong also finished second in the 100 individual medley with a time of 54.71 on Sunday.