Around Town

Rodent Problem Growing Due to Trash Strike, Board of Health Rules on Tobacco Sale Violation

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The rodent problem in Watertown has been exacerbated by trash left on the street during the trash strike. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The Board of Health heard about the impact the trash strike is having on Watertown’s rodent problem during its July meeting. The board also discussed proposed changes to the City’s tobacco regulations, and discussed a reported violation at a business in town. Rodents

During the July 16 meeting, Watertown Public Health Director Abbey Myers provided updates on issues that have come before the Board of Health. The “biggest topic” brought up was the ongoing, multi-week trash strike which has overwhelmed sanitary services in Watertown, and has now led to a steadily rising rodent problem.

Around Town

Tickets on Sale for Dancing With the Watertown Stars 2025

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Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Dancing with the Watertown Stars. Presented by the Rotary Club of Watertown, the event will be hosted by State Sen. Will Brownsberger. This year’s event will be held Friday, Sept. 12 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts with a reception at 6 p.m. and the competition beginning at 7:15 p.m.

This year’s dancers are Jess Donato, Ed Megerdichian, Ryan Seward, Cindy St. Clair, Diane DiMascio Cinar, Cassidy Pirozzi, Harrison Ford, Jennifer Chiodo, Rob Scudder, and Cookie Ramos.

Obituaries

OBIT: Robert Kaprielian, 89, Devoted Father, Veteran, Star Athlete at WHS, Cable Show Host

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Robert Kaprielian of Watertown, passed away on July 25th with his loving family at his side. Beloved husband of the late Landyce (Torrance) Kaprielian. Devoted father of Rachel Kaprielian Feloney and her husband Paul and Myra Ovoian and her husband Bill, all of Watertown. Loving Papa to William Robert Gannon and Calvin and Drew Ovoian. Dear brother-in-law to Ilse Kaprielian of Belmont.

Around Town

Mt. Auburn St. Project: More Sidewalk Excavation & Drainage Work This Week

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Planned work on the Mt. Auburn Street Project will impact the East End of town during the week of July 28, including sidewalk excavation and drainage work. See the announcement from the City of Watertown below. Sidewalk Excavation Continues

Excavation of the westbound sidewalk on Mount Auburn Street between Belmont Street and Keenan Street will continue Monday, July 28, 2025 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn about travel and parking impacts below. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts

The westbound sidewalk will be closed for excavation starting Monday, July 28, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. A bypass sidewalk on the westbound side will be opened up while this work is being completed.Traffic on Mount Auburn Street will be narrowed and you can expect lane shifts, however traffic will be maintained in both directions. Entrances to driveways and parking lots will be maintained.

Around Town

State Rep. Lawn Plans to Run for Re-Election After Changing Plea in OUI Case

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State Rep. John Lawn

Watertown State Rep. John Lawn said he is planning to seek re-election the same week that he changed his plea in the driving under the influence of alcohol case, admitting in a Boston courtroom to sufficient facts on the charges. On July 19, during the St. Mary of Carmen Society’s 90th Italian-American Festival in Nonantum, Lawn said “I’m going to run again,” according to a report in the Fig City News. He represents the 10th Middlesex District, which includes parts of Watertown, Newton, and Waltham. Lawn presented a citation from the State Legislature during the festival in Newton, and said he was uplifted by the support he received from the attendees at the event, the report said.

Weather

Lightning Strikes in Watertown During Brief but Powerful Storm

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Lightning strikes in Watertown on July 25, 2025 are circled in yellow. Two other red dots mark strikes nearby in Belmont and Newton.(Map from LightningMaps.org)

A thunderstorm rolled through Watertown Friday afternoon, and two lightning bolts struck around town. The severe thunderstorm storm hit the City around 2:30 p.m. and lightning bolts struck in two spots, according to the map on LightningMaps.org, at:

• The Common Street Cemetery (near Watertown High School). • Near Orchard Street in the vicinity of Victory Field

The storm left damage, including a downed tree on Grant Avenue, Channel 7 reported. Wicked weather in Watertown on Grant St creating quite the mess…leaving this Tesla buried under downed trees when today’s summer scorcher turned into wild winds and drenching downpours without much warning #7News pic.twitter.com/bjZNzihc9n— Steve Cooper (@scooperon7) July 25, 2025

There were also strikes near Watertown:

• In Belmont off of Lexington Street (north of Belmont Street)

• In Newton, south of the Charles River near California Street, west of Bridge Street.

Around Town

Watertown Yard Waste Remains Uncollected, Report of Efforts to Slow Trash Collection in Town

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While trash and recycling collections have resumed during the strike, Watertown residents have not had yard waste pickup in about a month. The City of Watertown has opened a drop off site at 148 Waltham St. for trash and recycling, but yard waste cannot be left there. Tyler Cote, the City’s Community Engagement Specialist, confirmed that yard waste collection was cancelled during the week of July 21-25. The City has contacted Republic about this part of the waste collection service.

Weather

Weather Forecast: Temps in the 90s & Storms, Before Settling into the 80s

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A significant warmup peaks Friday with heat and humidity combining for oppressive conditions — possibly the last true high heat of the season. A cold front arrives late Friday, bringing storm chances and a modest cooldown for the weekend. Saturday and Sunday are seasonable, though humidity lingers and scattered showers may return late Sunday. Early next week offers a brief stretch of pleasant weather, but another warm and muggy surge arrives midweek with renewed storm chances. Long-range signals suggest the start of August could trend cooler than normal, perhaps our first real hint that summer is slowly beginning to wind down.