Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Arrested for Unarmed Robbery, Multiple Checks Stolen Out of Mail

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. May 15, 3 p.m.: A woman mailed her electric bill to Eversource in April, putting it in a mailbox at School Street and Putnam Street. On May 15, she received a message from Rockland Trust saying her account was overdrawn. She saw that a check had been altered and made out to Khamarin Wizard and for $19,700. Police and the bank are investigating.

Around Town

Descendants of Soldier Killed in Italy During World War II Gather for Dedication of Hero Square

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A hero square in memory of Pvt. Vincent Ranucci, who was killed in World War II, was dedicated down the street from the home on Nichols Avenue where he grew up. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Dozens of descendants of a decorated World War II veteran gathered Monday on the East Watertown street where his childhood home is located to remember him and dedicate a hero square in his name. Vincent Ranucci grew up in a three-family home at 7 Nichols Ave. as the oldest of nine children.

Police/Fire

Watertown Man Arrested for Inviting a 14 Year Old to His Home to Have Sex

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A 47-year-old Watertown man faces a charge of enticement a child under 16 after he invited what he thought was a 14-year-old to his home to have sex, Watertown Police said. On May 16 at 10:20 p.m., Watertown Police responded to a home on Arthur Terrace after receiving a call from a group called Predator Poachers of Massachusetts that had been corresponding online with the man while posing as a teenage boy. The suspect was identified by Police as Brian Lally, 47, of Watertown, said Watertown Police Sgt. Ken Swift. “(The group) had been texting back and forth with a 47 year old named Brian Lally,” Swift said.

Around Town

Artists Talk About Their Works on the Watertown Community Sculpture Walk

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Residents and artists take a stroll along the Watertown Community Sculpture Walk, led by the Tuba Guy. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

An enthusiastic group of art lovers took a stroll on a warm spring afternoon to hear about the newest additions to the Watertown Community Sculpture Walk from the artists themselves. Four new pieces joined the first four sculptures installed in 2023. The works were selected by the Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee from the artists applying to be a part of the exhibition. Committee Chair Roberta Miller thanked everyone who came out, including the Tuba Guy, Zachariah Hickman, who led the procession along the path between Whites Avenue and Waverley Avenue, across Main Street, and down to Howard Street.

Government

Watertown Budget Hearings Begin This Week, See When Departments Will Speak to Council

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The City Council will hold the first of three hearings on the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget on May 21. The dates of the meetings, and the departments which will be on the agenda are listed in the information provided by the City of Watertown, below. The annual City Budget is the single most important policy decision made each year by the City Council. All citizens of the City are invited and encouraged to participate in these meetings to express the opinions of this budget and the priorities it establishes. A copy of the proposed budget is available for examination at the City Clerk’s Office and available on the City’s website: https://portal.laserfiche.com/Portal/Browse.aspx?id=44491&repo=r-5ece5628.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Seek Information About Missing Woman

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Bogalech Gedore

The Watertown Police Department announced it is seeking information from the public on the whereabouts of 34 year-old Bogalech Gedore. Bogalech came from the United Arab Emirates eight months ago to serve as a nanny for a family in Watertown. She was last seen by the family on the evening of Friday, May 10th. Bogalech does not speak English well and she is not known to have friends or family in the area. If you have any information that could be helpful, please contact the Watertown Police Department at 617-972-6500.

Around Town

Square to be Dedicated to Veteran Killed in WWII as Part of Watertown’s Memorial Day Week

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Along with the traditional Memorial Day Parade, Watertown will have some special events in 2024, including the dedication of a Hero Square and the celebration of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1105’s 100th anniversary. Hero Square

On Monday, May 20 at 2 p.m., the intersection of Bigelow and Nichols avenues will be dedicated to Vincent Ranucci, who was Killed in Action during World War II. Ranucci attended the Watertown schools and joined the U.S. Army in June of 1942. He was deployed in the European Theatre. On February 2, 1944 he was awarded the Purple Heart for the wounds received in action resulting in his death.

Around Town

What to Expect at Next Watertown Square Meeting, Manager Will Also Discuss Zoning on Prior Day

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The redesign of Watertown Square will be discussed on June 12. (Photo by City of Watertown)

(NOTE, May 24, 2024: They day and location of the Watertown Square meeting has changed and has been updated in this article)

The draft of the Watertown Square Area Plan will be discussed at a meeting on June 12, but prior to that City Manager George Proakis will delve into the topic of zoning during a live and interactive show on Watertown Cable. Watertown Square Meeting

The meeting focused on Watertown Square will take place on Thursday, June 13 beginning at 6 p.m. It will take place at the Watertown Middle School Auditorium. Present at the meeting will be both the City Council and the Planning Board, said City Council President Mark Sideris. He said it may be the first of multiple meetings on the Watertown Square Area Plan, which includes not only the redesign of the main intersection, but also where the City will allow housing to be built by right to meet the requirements of the MTBA Communities Law, as well as form-based zoning which will determine how future developments will look.