Top Framingham Stories Of The Year: 2020 In Review

FRAMINGHAM, MA — 2020 was a year so crowded by major events, from the death of Kobe Bryant to the ongoing pandemic, it may be hard to look back and remember the smaller things that happened this year.

We reviewed a year of local news stories to see which ones were the most-read in each month of 2020. Although many local stories reflected larger events affecting the entire state (and nation ... and Earth), many were specific to Framingham.

Here's a month-by-month look back at the year that was:

January

Father, Son Killed In Framingham Shooting

James "Manny" Wade, 45, and James Wade, 24, were shot near downtown Framingham on Jan. 10. Aneudy Delgado Torres, 39, was later arrested and charged in the killings.

February

Before She Died, Adella Page Wanted Framingham Baking Co. Pizza

Adella Page raised her family on this unique Framingham pizza. In her last months, she was sustained by the memories it brought.

March

Framingham Resident Dies Of Coronavirus, Cases Up To 36

The first person to die in Framingham of COVID-19 was a man in his 80s.

April

MCI Framingham Emerges As Coronavirus Hotspot, City Officials Say

The women's prison saw a large number of cases along with senior living facilities as the pandemic emerged.

May

Whole Foods May Leave Framingham Without Redevelopment: Docs

The redevelopment of the Whole Foods shopping plaza — and the adjacent former Nissan dealership — has since been given the green light.

June

Jack's Abby Reopening In Framingham With 150-Seat Beer Garden

A ray of sunshine after months of pandemic lockdown. Jack's Abby and Exhibit 'A' both kept their beer gardens open into late fall.

July

Bobcat Saunters Through MetroWest Neighborhood

Photos of the big cat in an Ashland backyard stunned many, although bobcats do live across the MetroWest area.

August

Framingham 'High Risk' For Coronavirus; 2 New Deaths Reported

Cases dropped a lot over the summer, but the pandemic never went away. Cases roared back in August, and have been on an upward trajectory ever since.

September

BJ's Liquor License Bid In Framingham Sparks Opposition

There was a bit of business drama this fall when a small liquor store fought (and won) to stop a liquor license transfer to BJ's.

October

Framingham Men Arrested For Sex Trafficking At Brothels: Healey

The two brothels in Framingham were connected to a sex-trafficking ring based in New York City, according to the state AG.

November

Iconic Framingham Sheraton Hotel Headed To Auction

Framingham's own castle hit the auction block in December and was purchased by the bank that holds the hotel's mortgage.

December

Framingham School Committee Member Karen Dempsey Dies

2020 ended sadly with the Christmas Eve death of Karen Foran Dempsey, an enormous figure in Framingham politics, and one of the state's biggest advocates for people with disabilities.