Obituaries

OBIT: John J. York, 85, Retired Watertown Police Detective

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John J. York

A Mass of Christian Burial for Retired Watertown Detective Sergeant John J. York will be celebrated on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Church of St. Patrick, 212 Main St., Watertown. John “Jack” York was born in Brighton to the late John Joseph York, a retired member of the Watertown Police Department, and Rita (Marion) York. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on January 6, 2026, at the age of 85. Jack is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Patricia (Ambrose) York.

Sports

Watertown Athletes Earn Accolades in College Field Hockey & Basketball

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Watertown High School graduates Caroline Andrade and Taylor Lambo earned honors for their college teams.

Two former Watertown Raiders have gone on to excel at the next level. Field hockey player Caroline Andrade was named Rookie of the Year at Westfield State, and Hamilton College basketball player Taylor Lambo was named player of the week. See details in the announcements provided by Westfield State Athletics and Hamilton College Athletics. Westfield State’s Caroline Andrade Named MASCAC Rookie of the Year

Westfield State’s Caroline Andrade was named MASCAC Rookie of the Year. (Courtesy of Westfield State Athletics)

Westfield State field hockey landed six players on the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference’s All-Conference team, including Rookie of the Year Caroline Andrade (Watertown, Mass.). Also, Owls’ coach Carden Brown was named the league’s coach of the year.

Around Town

Join the Community Read of Works by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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The Community Read: Works by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will take place on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 at the Watertown Free Public Library. See the announcement provided by the Unity Breakfast organizers. Please join us for a Community Read on Sunday, January 11 from 2:00-3:30 in the MasterangeloRoom of Watertown Public Library. Together we will be reading aloud a work by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and discussing its message and relevance for today.

Around Town

Watertown Library Invites Public to Join the Cook the Books Group

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The Watertown Free Public Library. (Courtesy of WFPL)

Cooking enthusiasts are wanted to join the Watertown Free Public Library’s cooking group. See details in the announcement from the Library, below. The 2025 Cook the Books group celebrated a delicious year of recipe swapping with a cookie exchange at the Watertown Free Public Library! 

Once a month, the Cook the Books Group meets in the Library café to share favorite cookbooks, recipes, and food. Members share cooking tips and tricks while bonding over great food and great company.

Letters

LETTER: A Constitutional Question for the 250th Anniversary

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As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the Constitution, we should confront a structuralquestion that receives far too little attention: What happens if a President refuses to comply witha ruling of the Supreme Court? Over decades, both Congress and the Court have contributed to a presidency with more concentrated power than the Framers intended. Congress has weakened itself through gridlock and partisan entrenchment. The Supreme Court, through decisions expanding presidential immunity and narrowing avenues for accountability, has further strengthened the office. The result is a modern presidency that holds the only practical enforcement authority in the federal system.

Entertainment

Watertown Musician Receives Iguana Music Grant from Passim

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Passim awarded Watertown artist Zachariah Hickman a grant which will enable him to fund his new recording project. See more information about the Iguana Music Grants from Passim, below. Passim has announced the 2025 recipients of its Iguana Music Fund, awarding $40,000 to 23 New England-based artists. Established in 2008, the Iguana Fund supports musicians at critical stages of their careers, providing resources for community and career building projects including recording, equipment purchases, and event creation. This year’s recipients represent a wide range of genres, cultural traditions, and artistic approaches, reflecting the depth and diversity of the region’s music ecosystem.

Around Town

See How to Dispose of Your Christmas Tree

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Watertown residents can put their Christmas trees out for pickup through Jan. 19. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. The Department of Public Works (DPW) will be picking up Christmas trees through the week of Monday, January 19, 2026. To ensure your tree is collected, remove all ornaments, lights, and decorations and place it on the curb on your designated trash and recycling day.