Top Natick Stories Of The Year: 2020 In Review

NATICK, 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 Natick.

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

January

Ashland Woman Behind Serial Pooping In Natick: Police

She was arrested early one morning in January when she was caught defecating near the Natick Outdoor Store. People had been finding feces in the area for weeks.

February

Natick Dog Park Opening Soon — Here's How To Prepare

The pandemic unfortunately delayed the park's opening until September.

March

2 Natick High School Students Positive For Coronavirus

Coronavirus first appeared in Natick on March 8 at the high school. A little over a week later, the state would be completely shut down.

April

8 Coronavirus Deaths At Natick's MaryAnn Morse Senior Home

Early in the pandemic, a Natick nursing home was the site of a high number of deaths — something that was unfortunately seen at many other senior living facilities across the state and nation.

May

Natick To Discuss Cuts Including School Closure, Ending Programs

2020 was a tough budget year for Natick, and it concluded with a fight over how to spend free cash, and the resignation of Town Administrator Melissa Malone.

June

Natick Mall May Get Large, Immersive Gaming Center

The Level 99 gaming center plans to open in 2021 with a new brew pub in the space Sears once occupied.

July

Natick Stop & Shop Shopper: Man Launched Racist Tirade

A man told her she needed to go back to her own country; the woman said she's from Puerto Rico, which is a U.S. territory.

August

Natick Firefighter Dies In 'Active Duty Death'

Jake John Francis Feeney IV joined the Natick Fire Department in February.

September

Teen Arrested In Natick Hit-And-Run: DA

The court case against teen, who has never been identified, concluded in November. Kimberly Gunner, 51, and Andy Colbert, 39, were walking along a sidewalk when a pickup truck jumped the curb and hit them in August.

October

Leonard Morse ER Closure Date Set For October's End

A major change in service at the MetroWest Medical Center began when the Natick hospital's ER closed at the end of October.

November

Natick Family Must Pay $13,000 Water Bill, Selectmen Decide

Pumpkin Pine Road resident Enzo Raggiani had no idea why his bill was so high. It was at least the second five-figure bill in town in 2020.

December

Khloé Kardashian Visited Natick's Lookout Farm

The youngest of the original three Kardashian sisters is dating a Boston Celtics player.