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Watertown Police Could Get Drone; Department is Nearly Fully Staffed; Officer’s Will Get AI App

By Charlie Breitrose | 3 hours ago

A drone will likely be the latest high-tech addition to the Watertown Police Department, but the City Council had questions about where data collected will be stored and who will have access.

Third Watertown Porchfest is Bigger Than Ever With 200+ Performances

Porchfest returns to Watertown for the third year on May 16. (Photo from Watertown Porchfest)

The third year of Watertown Porchfest is the biggest yet, with in excess of 200 performances at more than 80 locations around the City on Saturday, May 16 from noon to 6 p.m.

Space for Existing Chinese Restaurant & New Retailer Included in Plans for Watertown Mall

A rendering of National Development’s plans to renovate part of the Watertown Mall. The green sign is where Joyful Garden will move, and the red sign is a new retailer.

The new owners of the Watertown Mall showed plans to revamp part of the mall, which include creating a new space for a popular restaurant and creating space for a new retailer.

Watertown Has a New Beer Garden, Restaurant Moving to Bigger Digs, Another Makes Globe

Mighty Squirrel Brewing opened its new biergarten at Gore Place. (Photo from Mighty Squirrel)

There’s plenty going on in Watertown’s food and drink scene, with a new beer garden, a restaurant headed to a bigger space, and a newish restaurant getting the attention of regional media.

More Headlines

Police Log: Online Loan Scam, Construction Vehicle Missing, Small Fire

Governor Stops by Watertown High School to Give a Teacher Appreciation Week Gift

THE DISH: Ritcey East’s Max Ritcey Talks About Fish Taco, Lending a Helping Hand & More

Environment

Watertown Swap Shop Returns, Eco Fest & Composting

By Guest Writer | April 29, 2026

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Solid Waste and Recycling Committee:

The Watertown Swap Shop re-opens for its second season this Saturday, May 2. The Swap Shop is located at the Recycling Center, 76 Stanley Ave., Watertown. The Swap Shop will be open on the first Saturday of each month, May to November, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., except July when it will be open on the second Saturday. Bring your no-longer needed small items in good condition to the Swap Shop and/or take up to eight items home with you. No clothing or textiles.

Around Town

Watertown Eco Fest will Feature Sustainable Vendors, Demonstrations & Activities for All Ages

By Charlie Breitrose | April 28, 2026

The second annual Watertown Eco Fest will feature activities including electric bike test rides, vendors of sustainable products, activities for kids, and more. The event, hosted by the City of Watertown, will also include representatives from City departments and community organizations focused on sustainability.

Entertainment

Gore Place Tour, Pattern & Place: Wallpapers of the Mansion 1806-Present

By Guest Writer | April 28, 2026

Gore Place..

Gore Place will host a set of special tours focused on the wallpapers in the mansion that dates back to the early 19th century. See more information in the announcement from Gore Place, below.

Obituaries

OBIT: Michael Donovan, 38, Advocate for Children with Autism & Other Challenges, Devoted to Family & Friends

By Guest Writer | April 28, 2026

Michael Donovan

The Donovan, Lazarus, Zinsmeyer, and Eurich families are devastated to share that Michael Maurice Donovan passed away on March 20th, 2026, from complications related to Marfan Syndrome. At only 38 years of age, this loving husband, son, brother, cousin, uncle and friend left us much too soon, but he will stay with us in rich memories.

Business

Robotics Company Builds on Watertown’s History of Manufacturing in Former Mill Building

By Charlie Breitrose | April 27, 2026

Tutor Intelligence’s Data Factory 1, which has 100 AI robots performing tasks, is part of the company’s new headquarters at Riverworks in Watertown (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A building along the Charles River in Watertown where textiles were once made has a new tenant involved in manufacturing. Tutor Intelligence creates AI robots that are used by companies from coast to coast.

Government

Detailed Plans for Watertown Square Project to be Presented at Open House

By Guest Writer | April 27, 2026

Save the date for the Open House on Watertown Square Implementation on May 20, 2026, from 3-8 p.m. at 9 Galen St. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below.

Around Town

Watertown Historical Society Event Focuses on True Crime Story from Colonial Times

By Guest Writer | April 27, 2026

The Historical Society of Watertown will host a talk about a historical true crime, and host its annual meeting on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 2 p.m. at the Watertown Library. See more information provided by the Historical Society, below.

Around Town

Group from Watertown Joining the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace

By Guest Writer | April 27, 2026

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Walks for Peace:

Join the Watertown Walks for Peace Team on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10th, and support the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester. This year is the 12th consecutive year that the Watertown team will participate in the 5K Walk for Peace. For those who would like to walk with us, there will be a bus leaving Watertown at 7:30 a.m. and returning to Watertown by noon. Sign up here to walk, donate, or take the bus to Dorchester.