Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/39/)
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.
The following announcement was provided by Light of Palestine:
On Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m., a star-studded ensemble will perform in Watertown’s second annual Light of Palestine concert. Proceeds will support Anera, a U.S.-based nonprofit with no political or religious affiliations. Anera provides humanitarian aid to families in Gaza.
The Rotary Club and the Watertown Business Coalition will host the fourth annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive on Dec. 9. See details provided by the WBC, below.
A new light show is featured on Bigelow Chapel for SOLSTICE in 2025. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
SOLSTICE returns to Mount Auburn Cemetery beginning Friday, Dec. 5 with some new features and a different theme in 2025.
Watertown’s Mosesian Center for the Arts is hosting the New England Watercolor Society 2025 Regional Juried Show, and the opening reception and awards ceremony will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, from 2-4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. See more details in the announcement from the MCA, below.
An MBTA Bus at the Watertown Yard.
By Mark Pickering
MBTA service in Watertown has been in decline for years – even as neighboring communities have seen theirs maintained or even improved. Watertown has the worst MBTA service of any community bordering it and all of Boston’s neighborhoods.
Dear Editor,
As a resident of Watertown, I am hopeful that Congresswoman Clark will join Senators Markey and Warren and Congressmen Jim McGovern, Stephen Lynch and Richie Neal in cosponsoring an important resolution to the U.S. Congress that addresses the incredibly dangerous situation in the world right now: the threat of nuclear war.
This is a packed Watertown weekend with winter and holiday events. On Saturday afternoon there will be an art sale at the Mosesian Center for the Arts with a wide variety of arts including ceramics, paintings, ornaments and jewelry. It’s great for shopping locally and supporting our artists. Saturday evening at Gore Place there will be a dramatic reading by Johnny Kinsman of A Christmas Carol including musical accompaniment by Justin Ouellet and Ann Moss, both local musicians. On Sunday there is a hands-on intergenerational Lego building activity at the Jewish Community Day School, it’s a challenge to build the world’s tallest Chanukiah! Later Sunday afternoon at the library, you can go relax after all the holiday activities with a winter concert given by the Vivace Music School Faculty. No need to leave Watertown this weekend to find some holiday cheer!
Raccoon
A resident reported being attacked by a raccoon on Arsenal Street, Watertown Animal Control warns. See more information, below.