Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/13/)
China Rainbow, a Watertown dining institution since 1973, closed on Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Word spread fast after the announcement that one of Watertown’s dining institutions would be closing. Diners lined up to get a seat at opening time, and good luck finding a seat at dinner time. Fans of China Rainbow wanted to get one last tasty meal and a Mai Tai before owner Tammy Young retired after more than 50 years.
Watertown High School seniors Ava Lamacchia, Gavin Foley, and Sophia Setouhi signed their letters of intent to play college sports. (Photo by Watertown Athletics)
A boys soccer player and a pair of field hockey players from Watertown High School will continue their careers in college. This week, Gavin Foley, Sophia Setouhi, and Ava Lamacchia signed their letters of intent to play at the next level.
A view of 108 Water St., the 52-unit residential project approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. (Eaglebrook Capital)
The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the planned 52-unit residential building at 108 Water Street on Wednesday night after designers made changes to exterior design of the building, along with some other alterations to the first plan presented in November.
Dave MartinA view down the Charles River from the Bridge on North Beacon Street.
The City Council sent a letter to the MWRA opposing allowing sewage overflow from being released into the Charles River and returning to the days when the river was a “dumping ground for sewage.”
Watertown City Hall
Multiple City boards seek members, including the Board of Health, Community Preservation Committee, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Licensing Board, Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee, and the Council on Aging. See more information about the boards and how to apply in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below.
A new middle school could still be a possibility in the near future, as the City Council discusses the options on Nov. 25, 2026. Above is a vision of what a new Watertown Middle School could look like created by Ai3 Architects.
Tuesday night, the future of the Watertown Middle School may be decided by the City Council.
The Watertown Business Coalition encourages the community to shop, eat, and spend locally on Nov. 29 — Small Business Saturday. See more info in the announcement from the WBC, below.
The new Northeast Health Services clinic on Pleasant Street in Watertown. (Photo by Mario Joseph Forgione)
An outpatient mental health care clinic opened in Watertown on Pleasant Street, with another near town on Soldier Field Road in Brighton. Both are part of Northeast Health Services and offering a variety of services. See details in the announcement from Northeast Health Services, below.
From Nov. 24 to 26, drivers will see lane shifts and parking restrictions on two stretches of Mt. Auburn Street as crews raise man holes and install drainage. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below.
Drainage will be installed along Russell Street and Broadway for the Watertown High School project. There will be lane closures from Monday to Wednesday this week. See info provided by Vertex, Watertown’s project manager, below.
Watertown had three condos, two townhouses, and a two-family house sold this week.
Massachusetts State House (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A bill to strengthen protections for health care workers that was passed the Massachusetts House of Representatives with no opposition was spearheaded by Watertown State Rep. John Lawn. See information about bill H.4767 provided by Rep. Lawn’s office, below.