Wild Turkey Attacks, Christopher Kimball Departure, Body Pulled from Pond: Top Brookline News of 2015

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline in 2015 saw wild turkey attacks, the departure of a well-known local food host, and a body pulled from a local pond.

These and more were among the 10 most-viewed local stories on Brookline Patch this year.

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• Most-viewed Brookline story this week: ‘Staggering’ $3M Cocaine Shipment from Boston Seized

Without further ado:

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10. Brookline Cockatoo Captured After Terrorizing Neighborhood

“Dino”—named for his frightening, dinosaur-like shrieking that spooked a Naples Road neighborhood—was captured after three months of freedom. Over the summer, he escaped his owner’s Pearl Street home; the pair was reunited.

9. For $4M, You Can Be Tom Brady’s Neighbor

A Brookline mansion went on sale this week—and it’s just a few doors down from Tom Brady’s nearly completed compound. Brady and wife Gisele Bundchen are building a home on a 5.2-acre property in the area of 400 Heath St.:

8. Shots Fired Near Boston University

A knife-wielding suspect was killed by a police officer in a shooting near Boston University Friday afternoon. State Police said the incident happened on the Silber Footbridge over Storrow Drive near Back Street.

7. Brookline Police Looking for Missing BC Student

Stephen Ziska, 20, a Boston College student and Brookline resident, was last seen May 11, at around 11:30 a.m. If you’ve seen him or know where he is, call police at 617-730-2222.

6. Suspect Killed in Shooting

State Police Superintendent Tim Alben said the suspect had a warrant out for his arrest for harassing a woman in the Roxbury area. A police officer walked by the suspect and engaged him in conversation—at which point the suspect pulled out a knife, Alben said. The suspect ignored demands to drop the knife and was shot by one police officer.

5. Rapist Who Targeted BU Students Caught: Police

An Allston man who sexually assaulted at least five women in and around the Boston University campus over the last year has been arrested, police said.

4. Brookline Teacher Disciplined After Allegedly Cursing in Front of Students

The decision has upset scores of students at the Driscoll Middle School who started a petition to reinstate social studies teacher Larry Chen. On Tuesday, students even walked out of class and marched around the school with shirts and signs supporting Chen.

3. Dead Man Pulled from Jamaica Pond

A dead man was pulled Jamaica Pond Friday morning, police confirmed. The body was reportedly found floating on the north side of the pond around 10:30 a.m.

2. America’s Test Kitchen Host Christopher Kimball Leaving Show

Producers announced Monday Kimball is leaving the Brookline-based show due to a contract dispute.

1. More Wild Turkey Attacks in Brookline

“There was like six or seven of them, and as I went around the mailbox they went around and they started chasing me into the street and I screamed for help,” Marilyn Carmona told WHDH. “It was very scary.”