Real Estate
Plenty of Open Houses to Visit in Watertown Over the Weekend
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Homebuyers have a large selection of properties to visit in town this week.
Family-Run Company Has Created High Tech Medical Parts for Decades in Watertown
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Father and son, Paul (right) and Taylor Heanue, run High Tech Turning, which manufactures parts for medical device manufacturing. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
The Charles River has been a center of manufacturing for centuries, and the tradition continues today. A 40-year-old company that makes millions of parts each year in its facility that sits just a block from the river.
City May Explore Leasing DCR Pool, Park Along Charles River
The DCR’s Dealtry Pool in Watertown.
Watertown officials may seek to lease the Dealtry Pool and Cannalonga Park and increase the staffing and improve maintenance of the facilities along the Charles River.
New Public Art Opens in Area of Watertown Facing Years of Road Construction
“Transitions” by MASARY Studios, one of the new art installations in Coolidge Square. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Coolidge Square, the heart of East Watertown, will be a construction zone for the next few years, but the area has a pair of new public art pieces to bring a little joy to the area that will endure the chaos of road and sidewalk replacement.
Charles River Ferry Taking Shape — Wada Hoppah Will Soon Take to the Water
Drew Rollert, founder of Wada Hoppah, standing on the nearly completed Charles River ferry. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
CONCORD — Three years of dreams and a year-and-a-half of design and labor is coming together in the form of the first modern ferry built to navigate the Charles River.
More Headlines
City Council Passes Budget, Now Await Legislature’s Decision on Tax Relief
Gold Kings Hockey Will Face New Foes Next Season, League Gets New Name
Sacrifices of Veterans Remembered at Memorial Day Ceremony; Importance of Veterans Benefits Discussed
Letters
OP-ED: Tech is Not Always the Answer
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Something remarkable happened in 2025: about 18 states banned students’ access to smartphones and other personal electronic devices from the first to the last bell of the school day (bell-to-bell). More states followed in 2026. This shift reflects growing awareness that these devices are intentionally designed to steal our children’s attention – negatively affecting school environments and obstructing effective learning.
Around Town
THE DISH: Ritcey East’s Max Ritcey Talks About Fish Taco, Lending a Helping Hand & More
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Ritcey East owner Max Ritcey presents a fan favorite: fish tacos. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
The Dish is a new collaboration between Watertown News and the Little Local Conversations podcast which takes a deep dive into a favorite dish from a local restaurant and beyond.
Watertown’s Ritcey East has become a favorite place for people looking for comfort food, a cocktail, and enjoy it in a laid back, fun atmosphere. One of the most popular menu items, the fish tacos, also harkens back to owner Max Ritcey’s culinary roots, and has strong family ties.
Government
Rep. John Lawn: “I’m a Survivor of Child Sexual Abuse” — Calls for End of Statute of Limitations
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State Rep. John Lawn
Watertown State Rep. John Lawn revealed that he was sexually abused by adults when he was a child in an Op-Ed he wrote for the Boston Globe, in which he also called for the end of statute of limitations in Massachusetts for child sexual abuse cases.
Around Town
Town Wide Yard Sale Coming in June, See How to Participate
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The 2026 Town Wide Yard Sale is Saturday, June 13 and Sunday June 14, 2026! See details in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown, below.
Entertainment
WEEKEND FUN: New Beer Garden, Amelie Teen Edition, Devil Wears Prada 2, Half Off Sandwiches, Eco Fest
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Spring has definitely sprung, and with that warmer weather is coming a new biergarten at Gore Place, that will be open only on weekends from now until October. They will serve beer and hard seltzers, but also non-alcoholic drinks. So it will be a lovely place to gather outside at the end of a workweek. Watertown Children’s Theater is putting on a show of “Amelie.” This is their teen edition, so I encourage you to take in this fun romantic comedy. After hearing about the Met Gala and all the crazy outfits, how about going to see “The Devil Wears Prada 2” at the Majestic 7? Then head to the Eco Fest on Sunday to get some new clothes at the free clothing swap event. Also on Sunday, there is a half-price sandwich event at Joe’s Variety Deli, as they invite you to join them in celebrating small businesses. I want to join them in celebrating the many small businesses in Watertown. Don’t forget to frequent those in Coolidge Square that have suffered a reduction in business from all the street improvement work.
Obituaries
OBIT: Henrietta Parrott Light, Cared for Greenhouses at Lyman Estate, Helped Start Chemical-Free Garden Tours
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Henrietta Parrott Light
Henrietta Parrott Light of Watertown, MA, died peacefully at her home on May 2, 2026. Henrietta (Penny) was born in Dayton, Ohio on Oct. 8, 1930, to Robert Ferguson Light and Henrietta Clunet Light, who raised her with a lifelong love of gardening and the natural world, literature, music, and friendship.
Schools
WHS Seeing More Students from Diverse Backgrounds in Advanced Classes
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The sign for the temporary Watertown High School at PFC Richard Moxley Field. (Courtesy by City of Watertown)
The students taking Advanced Placement classes at Watertown High School have become more diverse, and more students come from low-income backgrounds. The total number of students in AP classes increased, too.