Needham Year In Review: Top Stories Of 2017

NEEDHAM, 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. Below are the top 10 Needham stories of 2017:

10. Needham Boy Gets Wish of Joining Boston Celtics

A Needham boy who dreamed of playing for the Boston Celtics got his wish.

Through the Make-a-Wish Foundation, 11-year-old Stephen Register, who suffers from intractable epilepsy, was able to sign a 1-day contract with the team and take part in a shootaround at TD Garden with Amir Johnson and Kelly Olynyk

As part of the honorary contract, Register received his own jersey and took questions from the media in a press conference with Johnson, Olynyk, and team president Rich Gotham.

9. Needham Eatery Named Among Boston's Best New Restaurants

A Needham eatery has been making waves in the Greater Boston area after opening last fall.

In a list published earlier this year, the Boston Globe rated RFK Kitchen among the area's 47 best new restaurants. The only Needham location on the list opened their doors in October 2016.

8. Gunshot Reported At TripAdvisor's Needham Office

No one was injured when a bullet went through a window at the office of a major company in Needham near the Newton line.

On an October morning, an employee at TripAdvisor on 1st Avenue called police to report that a coworker heard gunshots. An officer at the scene confirmed that at least one bullet went through a window on the fourth floor of the TripAdvisor building. Police say the bullet came from outside the building and was recovered at the scene.

7. Needham Man Killed While Assisting Son on Icy Road

A Needham man was trying to help his son when he was struck and killed by a vehicle on an icy road by a vehicle was most tragic of a winter morning full of accidents around the state.

At about 7 a.m., Needham police and fire responded to a report of a vehicle that struck a person near Brookline Street and Greendale Avenue.

Police say the victim, 63-year-old Joseph Flynn, was assisting his son, whose car was involved in a crash on Brookline Street. Flynn was struck when another vehicle on the road, operated by a 40-year-old Needham man, slid on the ice and was unable to stop before striking the victim and pinning him between the two vehicles.

6. NBCUniversal Moving To Needham

NBCUniversal is moving forwards with plans to set up shop at the old General Dynamics building in the Needham Crossing office park. The move will put NBC Boston, NECN, Telemundo and NBC Sports Boston (Formerly Comcast Sportsnet New England) all under one roof. Currently, NBC Boston, NECN, and Telemundo are in Newton while the NBC Sports Boston crew operates out of Burlington.

The move is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2019.

5. New Hillside Elementary Becomes Sunita Williams Elementary

In June, The school committee voted to name the school informally known as the new Hillside School, the Sunita L. Williams Elementary School. Williams, a Needham High School graduate, has spent over 321 days in space and has made seven spacewalks. That background as a Naval officer, astronaut, and a member of SpaceX made committee members lean towards her.

The new school will be located at 585 Central Ave., on the former site of Owen's Poultry Farm. Work on the 90,700-square-foot school is expected to be completed in time for the 2019-20 school year.

4. Fine Save: Woman Rescues Dog From Frozen Pond, Gets Cited Afterward

In January, woman was able to save her dog after it fell into an icy pond in Needham, but had to pay a fine.

At 3:44 p.m., Needham Fire responded to a report of a woman and dog who fell through the ice and into the water at Cutler Park. The woman was able to get out of the freezing water with her dog, Needham Fire said.

The woman and dog were alright, but the woman was given a $25 fine for having an off-leash dog.

3. Needham HS Students Walk Out Over Racist, Homophobic Graffiti

Following a week where school officials revealed the discovery of racist and homophobic graffiti, hundreds of Needham High School students walked out of school as part of an hour-long protest.

According to Needham High School Principal Aaron Sicotte, between 250 and 300 students took part in the walkout, which occurred during the lunch block. While protesting, students heard from a range of speakers who discussed the need for equality. At the end of the walkout, students walked towards the Memorial Field parking lot and around the baseball field while chanting. Students returned to class afterward and discussed the walkout, the recent graffiti, school climate, and ways to improve the high school.

2. Gymnast Aly Raisman Accuses Disgraced U.S. Team Doctor Of Sexual Abuse

Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman is the latest athlete to come forward with abuse allegations against former U.S. national gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. The Needham native told her story in a 60 Minutes interview, joining over 130 women who have accused Nassar of assault. She also discusses the experience in her upcoming book, "Fierce."

Raisman, 23, was 15 when she was first treated by Nassar, who worked with athletes at USA Gymastics for 30 years. He is now in jail in Michigan awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography and will also be tried on separate criminal sexual conduct charges. He has been sued by more than 125 women alleging abuse.

Nasser was recently sentenced to 60 years in prison on child porn charges, essentially a life sentence for the 54-year-old man.

Read More

• Raisman Speaks Out On Sex Abuse; Says She Didn't Know The Signs
• Aly Raisman On Sexual Abuse: 'I Am Not A Victim. I Am A Survivor'

1. Needham Shocked By Elderly Murder

On May 31, 81-year-old Laurie Shifrina was found dead in her home, located at an elderly housing department on Linden Street. The investigation led police to Tammie Galloway of Needham, who remains held without bail on charges of murder, armed robbery, home invasion, and motor vehicle larceny.