Around Town

Plans for Victory Field Track Renovation Presented, Some Call for Artificial Turf Field

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The Victory Field Phase II project includes renovation of the track, courts, and the driveway in the complex. Six years after a committee issued recommendations for the renovation of the track and courts at Victory Field, the project will be moving forward. However, some at the meeting on Wednesday where the plans were presented called for making the field inside the oval artificial turf to allow for more use by high school and youth sports teams.

Another area of concern raised at the meeting held at Lowell Elementary School, was that the project does not solve the lack of a changing area for female athletes at Victory Field. The 75 Percent plans for Victory Field Phase II are based on the recommendations of the Victory Field Ad Hoc Committee, which issued a report in June 2018. In 2019, designers from CDM Smith presented the 25 percent plan, and underground testing was conducted.

Around Town

Food Assistance Benefits Will be Cut in December, Groups Calling for State to Restore Funds

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Recipients of food assistance in Massachusetts will see their benefits that can be used to buy fresh produce cut beginning in December, but there are efforts to ask the Governor and Legislature to restore the funding the in the State Budget. Stephanie Venizelos, the City of Watertown’s Community Wellness Program Manager, said that the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) will be reduced to $20 per household. The program is available to recipients of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). “Recently, DTA and MDAR announced the following changes to the HIP program beginning on December 1, 2024, due to insufficient funding in the MA state budget. The HIP benefit structure will be reduced to $20 each month, and the maximum HIP benefits a household can earn will be $20 a month for all households, regardless of size.

Government

See How Watertown Voted for President, Senate & on Ballot Questions in 2024

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Charlie Breitrose

Watertown voters came out to vote in large numbers, both on election day and during the early voting and mail-in period. Two-thirds of Watertown’s 26,418 voters cast their ballots in the 2024 State Election, according to the unofficial Watertown Election results sent out by the Watertown City Clerk’s Office. Nearly 60 percent of the 17,542 votes in the election were cast during the early voting period or sent in mail-in ballots, said City Clerk Noelle Gilligan. About 200 to 300 people voted each of the day during the 14 day early voting period. A total of 3,250 residents came to City Hall to vote during the early voting period, Gilligan said, while 7,203 mail-in ballots were sent in.

Business

Preserving Tradition: Watertown Woman Turned Her Family’s Passion for Jams Into a Business

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Hanna Opdahl sells her homemade jams and preserves at the Watertown Farmers Market, at other markets, and online. (Contributed Photo)

Jams and jellies run in the family. Or at least, they do for Hanna Opdahl, Watertown resident and owner of Berry Mari and Belle. 

What began as a hobby shared by Hanna and her mother, Marianne, is now a small business that crafts and sells small batch novelty jams, jellies, and marmalades. 

“I grew up jamming, canning, and gardening with my parents and I loved it,” said Hanna. “My mom is an incredible cook and is always coming up with fun experimental recipes and flavors.”  

Originally from Oregon, Hanna relocated to Watertown a little over three years ago after accepting a job offer in Boston. “It was a little bit of a scary jump, but I was very excited to come out here.

Police/Fire

Second Suspect Arrested in Connection to Stabbing of a Man in Watertown

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A second man was arrested for being involved in the alleged stabbing that took place in Watertown on Oct. 22, the Watertown Police and Middlesex District Attorney’s Office announced. See details from the press release below. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Watertown Chief of Police Justin Hanrahan have confirmed that Omari Cassell, 18, of Newton, has been charged following the alleged stabbing that occurred in the area of Mt. Auburn and Boylston Streets in Watertown.

Around Town

Local Brewery Opening Taproom & Kitchen at Arsenal Yards

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Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co.Mighty Squirrel Brewing will be serving its creations at the new biergarten at Arsenal Yards. Beer lovers will soon have a new option when Might Squirrel, which started in Waltham, opens a new location in Watertown. See more information in the announcement provided by Arsenal Yards, below. Arsenal Yards is thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. taproom and kitchen at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, MA.

Sports

UPDATED: Undefeated Watertown Field Hockey Team Given Second Seed in 2024 State Tournament

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The Raiders seek to lift the MIAA Field Hockey State Championship trophy for the fourth straight year in 2o24. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The Watertown High School field hockey team enters the 2024 Div. 3 MIAA State Tournament in the unusual position of being second seeded, despite finishing the regular season undefeated. Watertown will host a Round of 32 game at Victory Field on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 11:30 a.m against.