Around Town

Watertown Added Communities at High Risk for West Nile Virus

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The following announcement came from the Mass. Department of Public Health:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced Tuesday two additional human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in Massachusetts this year, bringing the total number of human cases to four. Both people are males in their 60s. One was exposed in Suffolk County in an area known to be at increased risk. The other was exposed in Norfolk County.

Schools

Unlike Other Districts, Watertown Prepares to Open School With Nearly Full Staff

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Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston was interviewed by WBZ Channel 4 about hiring teachers. (Screenshot from WBZ)

On Monday, Superintendent Dede Galdston welcomed 42 teachers who are new to the district during the orientation at Hosmer Elementary School. When school opens on Sept. 3, Watertown will be in a position that is enviable to other communities. According to WBZ Channel 4, there are nearly 4,800 open teaching positions in Massachusetts, and the TV station approached the Watertown Schools while doing the story, Galdston said.

Around Town

Police Log: Moped Stolen, Driver Busted on Warrant

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Aug. 17, 2 a.m.: An officer on Main Street ran the plates of a vehicle stopped at a red light and found out that the registered owner had a warrant for her arrest. The vehicle was pulled over and Police confirmed that the owner was driving. Aparecida Vicente, 49, of Watertown, was arrested on the warrant from Roxbury District Court for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Around Town

Watertown Using AARP Grant to Start Senior Housing Stabilization Program

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Department of Senior Services is proud to launch their Senior Housing Stabilization Program thanks to a 2024 AARP Community Challenge Grant they received. This compassionate initiative is dedicated to providing crucial support and education to seniors and their families facing housing instability in Watertown, MA. Their mission is to ensure that older adults aged 60 years or older can age in place with dignity and security, fostering intergenerational, livable communities where residents of all ages and backgrounds thrive together. This program will run out of the City of Watertown’s MA Department of Senior Services. The Department will provide financial assistance and education on this program and other housing support services eligible to Watertown seniors.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Buy Family New Refrigerator After Officer Discovers They Were Facing Desperate Situation

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Watertown Police Officer Frank Forde. (Courtesy of Watertown Police)

A Watertown Police officer bought a family a new refrigerator after learning that a family was in a difficult situation and could not afford to replace their broken one. Officer Frank Forde learned that the family’s refrigerator stopped working, and that the father has a serious medical condition and he could not work, Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan in a post on the WPD Facebook account. “Officer Forde started a collection around the police station with numerous department members contributing and quickly raised money to purchase a new refrigerator for the family,” Hanrahan said. “This is just one example of the amazing work being done by the officers of the Watertown Police Department everyday.”

Government

Hear from the Hopefuls for Governor’s Council in Their Candidate Q&As

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The candidates for District 3 Governor’s Council: Marilyn Petitto Devaney, left, and Mara Dolan. Democrats will have a contested race that includes a local candidate to vote on during the Sept. 3 State Primary, the District 3 Governor’s Councilor, or “Councilor” as it appears on the ballot. Watertown resident and incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney is challenged by Concord’s Mara Dolan, who lived in Watertown for a time. The same two candidates faced each other in 2022, and Petitto Devaney won after receiving nearly 51 percent of the votes.

Government

Council President & City Manager to Present Annual State of the City Address in September

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Watertown’s annual State of the City address will take place on Sept. 4, 2024. The first one was held last August. The event is required to be held annually with the changes to the City Charter were approved by voters in 2021. The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The Watertown State of the City address will be broadcasted live from WCA-TV’s studio on September 4, 2024 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. City Council President Mark Sideris and City Manager George Proakis will deliver the State of the City together, before transitioning to Q+A and answering resident-submitted questions. 

Watch live online, or on Comcast 22 and RCN 13.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Allegedly Strangled Domino’s Employee, Phone Hacked and $20K in Bitcoin Stolen

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Aug. 8, 10:43 p.m.: An officer at Church and Main streets saw a Toyota SUV go through a red light. The driver was pulled over and when the officer spoke with the driver it was discovered the man had a warrant for his arrest. Hufeyin Alaskan, 21, of Waltham, was arrested for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.