Foxborough Year In Review: Top Stories Of 2017

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The year is almost in the books and needless to say, 2017 had some notable stories.

If you were looking for something to talk about, there was not a lack of topics and issues. From the MBTA moving forward with a commuter rail pilot program, two major retirements at the Foxborough Public Schools, and a shocking closure, there were plenty of headlines around town.

Below are the top 10 Foxborough stories of 2017:

10. Forbes Crossing Comes Together

The first parts of the renovated Foxfield Plaza started to take shape by the end of the year. With many of the tenants of the old plaza still operating, they will be joined by Moe's Southwest Grill, Fit Factory, and Starbucks.

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• New Moe's Opening At Forbes Crossing
• When Is The Foxborough Starbucks Opening

9. Foxborough Tough Mudder Planned, Then Canceled

One of the, no pun intended, toughest races around was on it's way to Foxborough, along with a minor controversy. Race organizers planned on using Gillette Stadium and portions of the Lane Property off of North Street, but members of the Lane Family said they would take legal action if the race used their family's former home. The race, however, was called off after race and Gillette Stadium officials were unable to agree on a date for the planned 2018 race. A 2019 race remains possible.

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• Selectmen OK Foxborough Tough Mudder; Lane Family Threatens Legal Action
• Tough Mudder Passes On Foxborough For 2018

8. Foxborough Man Dies From Angry Swarm Attack

In September, resident Eric Dahl was stung while blowing leaves in his backyard. He died at Norwood Hospital from a heart attack. His wife, Alison, told reporters that although she didn't actually see the incident, her husband had said he was stung by bees. But many experts say that the stings likely came from wasps or yellow jackets. Whatever the cause, the early death brought more sadness to his family and a community that had experienced multiple shocking deaths over a short period.

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• Foxborough Man Dies After Swarm Of Bees Attacks
• Experts Say Wasps, Not Bees Could Be Cause Of Foxborough Man's Death

7. North Street Family Arrested In Early Morning Drug Raid

Four family members at 109 North St. were taken into custody following an early morning raid in June. The investigation into the North Street property began after police received several complaints of suspicious activity and drug sales, according to a police report. The incident led to a proposed Town Meeting warrant article which would allow the town to impose fines and other punishments for people maintaining a public nuisance that includes underage drinking, public consumption of alcohol, drug activities, fighting, disturbing the peace, and illegal parking. The article is expected on a future warrant.

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• Family Arrested In Foxborough Early Morning Drug Raid

6. Feeney Wins State Senate Seat

For the first time in about a decade, a Foxborough official was elected to a seat at the State House. Democrat Paul Feeney defeated Republican Jacob Ventura and Independent Joe Shortsleeve in October's special election. He succeeded Walpole's Jim Timilty, who left the seat earlier this year to become the treasurer of Norfolk County.

Feeney has been a member of the Foxborough Board of Selectmen, the legislative director of IBEW Local 2222, and a state director for the Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign.

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• Feeney Beats Ventura, Shortsleeve In State Senate Race

5. Big Retirements At The Schools

The Foxborough Public Schools said goodbye to their iconic music leader and popular superintendent. In March, Foxborough Music Director Stephen Massey announced his retirement and Superintendent Debra Spinelli called it a career over the summer.

Massey, who oversaw one of the most respected music programs in the area, was left speechless at May's Pops show when Jazz legend Wynton Marsalis made a surprise appearance to give his appreciation.

Spinelli was honored by the school committee in December, with committee Chairman Bruce Gardner telling the outgoing school head that she turned a good school district into a great one. Her final official day at the helm is Dec. 31.

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• Jazz Legend Wynton Marsalis Surprises Steve Massey at Foxborough HS Pops
• 'At Peace' Spinelli Set To Leave Foxborough Superintendent Post

4. MBTA Moving Forward With Pilot Program

The train platform at Gillette Stadium will have more activity in 2019 when the MBTA moves forward with a commuter rail pilot program. Despite drawing the ire of residents in Walpole and on the Fairmont Line, the test will have up to six round trips from Foxborough to Boston, with a determination for permanent service to be made after 11 months.

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• Selectmen Back Foxborough Commuter Rail Pilot Program
• Town Officials Make Pitch To MBTA Board For Foxborough Commuter Rail Pilot
• MBTA Board Approves Foxborough Commuter Rail Pilot

3. Chic2Chic Suddenly Closes

The sign outside the store and the message on their website was simple. "Chic 2 Chic is now permanently closed. We will post more information here as it becomes available," the message read. But for those with merchandise in the store, there were questions about whether they will get their items and money back.

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• Chic 2 Chic Consignment Shop Suddenly Closes
• Chic 2 Chic Declares Bankruptcy
• Police Investigating Chic 2 Chic Closure

2. Father Kills Son, Then Himself

Residents were shocked to learn on a Friday morning in September that William Scaccia Jr. not only killed himself, but killed his 6-year-old son Anthony Scaccia and tried to burn down the house where his son lived as well. The chilling details of the murder-suicide and William Scaccia Jr.'s life came out in the days that followed while the town held a vigil for the young life lost.

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• Father, Son Identified In Foxborough Murder-Suicide
• 'You Have Not Seen How Evil I Can Be' Father In Murder-Suicide Told Son's Mom
• WATCH: Foxborough Mourns The Loss Of Anthony Scaccia

1. Foxborough Celebrates Another Patriots Super Bowl

For a fifth time, Foxborough is home to the best football team on the planet. So much has been written about the New England Patriots historic comeback in the Super Bowl against the Atlanta Falcons that to write about it again would only be repeating what we already know. In addition to the pregame rally at the Common, the win meant a surprise tour of the Foxborough Public Schools by Super Bowl hero James White and Brandon Boldon and an appearance by the Vince Lombardi trophy at Founders Day.

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• Foxborough Gets Ready for For Another Patriots Super Bowl
• Foxborough Has One More Super Bowl Rally for New England Patriots
• WATCH: Patriots James White and Brandon Bolden Surprise Foxborough Students
• PHOTOS: Foxborough Celebrates Founders Day 2017