Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/25/)
City Manager George Proakis spoke at the Watertown Business Coalition’s City Update on March 5, 2026. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Watertown became a magnet for life science companies in the last several years, and City Manager George Proakis said the building boom in that industry may be slowed, but other industries may be attracted to the same things: proximity to Boston and the universities in the area, easy access, and a nice place to be.
Marcia Wilson holds a Eurasian Eagle Owl during the Eyes on Owls event at Mount Auburn Cemetery. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Mount Auburn Cemetery recently welcomed a couple who have devoted their lives to observing and caring for owls. They have traveled around New England in search of the raptors, from Crane Beach in Ipswich to Rye, New Hampshire, to Nantucket, and have ventured as far as Alaska, Serbia and Nunavut in the north of Canada to catch a glimpse of owls.
Watertown Middle School (Courtesy of Watertown Public Schools)
The debate over when to start the day for middle school students returned to the Watertown School Committee this week, focusing on what time the school day should begin for the 2026-27 school year. The discussion has been complicated by impact on after-school sports and the shortage of fields in town.
Boston Bruin Alex Steeves learns about goalball from two members of Perkins School for the Blind Towerhawks. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Boston Bruins center Alex Steeves has played in some tough environments — Montreal, Toronto, Madison Square Garden — but on Monday he entered the Perkins School for the Blind’s gym to try his hand at a new sport: one which requires him to play blindfolded.
Caspian Persian Cuisine opened Jan. 1, 2026, on Bigelow Avenue. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A new restaurant has joined the eating scene in East Watertown, with a familiar team behind it. Caspian Persian Cuisine opened at 72 Bigelow Ave. on Jan. 1, 2026 led by the former owners of Molana, the eatery that operated in Watertown Square for more than a quarter century.
The Girls Varsity Basketball Team is young, starting two freshman and a sophomore, and the first off the bench is a freshman. The season is young, as the Raiders have only five games under their belt, yet they are already 3-1 in Middlesex League play and in first place in the Freedom Division, heading into Tuesday night’s game versus Reading. And the year is young, as Tuesday night’s game was the first of nine games in January that will tell a lot about how this team manages growth and development in the competitive Middlesex League. The game was the girls’ first in seven days, but rust was not an issue as the Raiders came out humming to the tune of a 16-2 first quarter on the way to a 43-32 win, getting January off to a great start.
I have a diverse group of entertainments for you this weekend, with an emphasis on international culture, and including with a restaurant recommendation. Have you heard that a wonderful Ethiopian restaurant opened in Watertown Square last year? Start out your Friday exploring that delicious cuisine at Lalibela on Spring Street. On Saturday evening there is a music performance at Restaurant Chulo with Nepali singer Ram Krishna Dakhal. Sunday there is a play at the Mosesian called “The Miraculous Journey of Edward the Rabbit.” Take your young ones and enjoy the play, but there is one unique feature, it’s in Russian! Sunday morning there is a meetup for creatives called The Studio Social for photographers, videographers and content creatures to share ideas, discuss projects and collaborate. They would love to expand their group. Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Mount Auburn Cemetery has an exhibit of work by their current artist in residence, Juls Gabs. Go take in the art in the Bigelow Chapel and then stroll through the winter wonderland of the cemetery at this time of year.
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.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.
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.
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.
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.