Around Town

Project Saves Receives $500K in Gifts as Photo Archive Celebrates 50th Anniversary

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Nigol Bezjian, center, filming in NYC, 1981. (Photo by Berg Zobian)

The following announcement was provided by Project Save:

Project Save Photographic Archive, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving the global Armenian experience through photography, has secured $500,000 in new financial gifts along with significant archival donations, marking major milestones for the organization’s 50th anniversary. “These transformational investments in Project Save’s future affirm the urgency and impact of our mission,” said Executive Director Arto Vaun. “They help ensure the continued preservation of Armenian social history and culture for generations to come.”

An anonymous donor has pledged $400,000 to Project Save. In addition, New York-based philanthropist Sabine Hrechdakian has made a $50,000 gift.

Around Town

Free Activities, Movie & Food at Event Hosted by Watertown Police & Recreation Departments

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The Watertown Police and Recreation departments will host a family event with activities, music, food, followed by a movie on Tuesday, Aug. 5. National Night Out will take place on Aug. 5 from 5-8 p.m. at the park behind the Police Station 552 Main St., said Watertown Police Lt. Kevin McManus. “The Recreation Department has done a movie night with us, hosted out back (behind the station),” McManus said.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Exposes Himself in Movie Theater, Multiple Illegal Dumpings

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. July 18: A woman entered Target and took $117.46 in clothing and other merchandise. She walked past the registers without paying and left. July 18: A couple was watching a movie at the Majestic 7 cinemas around 4 p.m. when a man in their row stood up and his shorts fell to the ground. He stood facing the rear corner of the theater.

Around Town

Rodent Problem Growing Due to Trash Strike, Board of Health Rules on Tobacco Sale Violation

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The rodent problem in Watertown has been exacerbated by trash left on the street during the trash strike. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The Board of Health heard about the impact the trash strike is having on Watertown’s rodent problem during its July meeting. The board also discussed proposed changes to the City’s tobacco regulations, and discussed a reported violation at a business in town. Rodents

During the July 16 meeting, Watertown Public Health Director Abbey Myers provided updates on issues that have come before the Board of Health. The “biggest topic” brought up was the ongoing, multi-week trash strike which has overwhelmed sanitary services in Watertown, and has now led to a steadily rising rodent problem.

Schools

Watertown Schools Settle Lawsuit Filed by Families of Students Allegedly Mistreated by Preschool Teacher

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The Watertown Public Schools settled a lawsuit brought by the families of four students in the district’s preschool program after alleged verbal and physical treatment by a teacher in the Early Steps Preschool Program. The name of the teacher was not released. The district removed the teacher from the class immediately and the person no longer works for the Watertown Public Schools. KCS Attorneys announced the settlement in a statement on July 9, 2025. “After months of negotiations and a lengthy mediation, the parties reached a $300,000 settlement to be distributed among the plaintiffs and their families,” the announcement said.

Around Town

State Rep. Lawn Plans to Run for Re-Election After Changing Plea in OUI Case

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State Rep. John Lawn

Watertown State Rep. John Lawn said he is planning to seek re-election the same week that he changed his plea in the driving under the influence of alcohol case, admitting in a Boston courtroom to sufficient facts on the charges. On July 19, during the St. Mary of Carmen Society’s 90th Italian-American Festival in Nonantum, Lawn said “I’m going to run again,” according to a report in the Fig City News. He represents the 10th Middlesex District, which includes parts of Watertown, Newton, and Waltham. Lawn presented a citation from the State Legislature during the festival in Newton, and said he was uplifted by the support he received from the attendees at the event, the report said.

Weather

Lightning Strikes in Watertown During Brief but Powerful Storm

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Lightning strikes in Watertown on July 25, 2025 are circled in yellow. Two other red dots mark strikes nearby in Belmont and Newton.(Map from LightningMaps.org)

A thunderstorm rolled through Watertown Friday afternoon, and two lightning bolts struck around town. The severe thunderstorm storm hit the City around 2:30 p.m. and lightning bolts struck in two spots, according to the map on LightningMaps.org, at:

• The Common Street Cemetery (near Watertown High School). • Near Orchard Street in the vicinity of Victory Field

The storm left damage, including a downed tree on Grant Avenue, Channel 7 reported. Wicked weather in Watertown on Grant St creating quite the mess…leaving this Tesla buried under downed trees when today’s summer scorcher turned into wild winds and drenching downpours without much warning #7News pic.twitter.com/bjZNzihc9n— Steve Cooper (@scooperon7) July 25, 2025

There were also strikes near Watertown:

• In Belmont off of Lexington Street (north of Belmont Street)

• In Newton, south of the Charles River near California Street, west of Bridge Street.

Government

Council President to Republic: Trash Strike “Needs to Come to an End”

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Overflowing trash and recycling bins on Main Street during the trash strike. (Photo by Dean Martino)

City Council President Mark Sideris read a letter to the City Council Thursday night in which he calls on Republic Services to end of the trash strike, which began on July 1. The City Council voted to approve sending the letter. Sideris’ letter follows two letter sent by City Manager George Proakis and other municipal leaders to Republic. The last one was sent on July 10.