Around Town

Turkish Restaurant Serves Traditional Dishes in Longtime Watertown Dining Spot

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Halva Kebabs serves up a variety of grilled meats. (Courtesy of Halva Kebab)

A spot in town that has long been an eating destination is serving hungry diners once again. Halva Kebab opened in the former New Yorker Diner spot near Watertown Square, and is serving up a wide range of kebabs and other Turkish dishes. While the owners are new to the area, they have a long tradition of running restaurants, said co-owner Joseph Dagdelen. “We have another location in New Jersey,” he said.

Government

This Week: Short Term Rentals, Increase Tax Exemptions & Study of City Council Salaries

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The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on whether to allow short-term rentals in Watertown. A City Council committee will look at increasing the exemption allowed on personal property, which would reduce the burden on businesses. The full Council will meet Tuesday and discuss establishing a committee to examine Councilor salaries. Monday night at 6 p.m., the City Council’s Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight will discuss increasing the personal property tax exemption from $5,000 to $10,000. The Watertown Business Coalition supports the idea, saying it would give some tax relief to small businesses.

Police/Fire

Man Arrested on Charges of Assaulting a Woman Along the Charles River Path

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A Newton man was arrested in connection to an assault of a woman that took place on the path along the Charles River in Watertown. Sandeep Khandke, 69, of Newton, was arraigned on Friday in Waltham District Court on a charge of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, according to the Massachusetts State Police. The State Police received a report of an assault in Watertown on the Charles River Greenway, which is State property. Troopers from the Boston State Police Barracks responded. “The victim reported that a man with a cane had sat down next to her and while the two were talking, the man touched the victim’s leg and chest,” the State Police press release said.

Entertainment

Check Out This Week’s Small Saves Cartoon

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Sports

Watertown Girls Battles Tough Newburyport in Basketball Tourney

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Watertown senior Lily Lambo scored 14 for the Raiders against Newburyport in the State Tournament. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

WALTHAM — The State Tournament run for the Watertown girls basketball team ended Tuesday night after running into a team that had already beaten a higher seed in the MIAA Div. 3 Tournament. Newburyport, the 27th seed, made a second half run to defeat the 11th-seeded Raiders 56-48 in a game played at Waltham High School. Senior Emma Garapetian dribbles in the Sweet 16 tournament game against Newburyport.

Entertainment

Watertown Porchfest is Coming, Performers and Hosts Wanted

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Watertown will hold the first Porchfest on Saturday, May 18, and organizers seek both porches to host performances and bands to perform. The event will be on May 18, from 12-5 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, May 19). Registration has opened, and will continue through April 28. What is Porchfest? Porchfest is an afternoon of free music (and other performances) performed outside of people’s homes – on porches, patios, driveways, and lawns.