Friendly's Shuttered, Man Killed in Triathlon, Ball Coach Controversy: Top Stories in 2015 on Sudbury Patch

SUDBURY, MA - -In June, Lincoln-Sudbury High School’s baseball coach, Kirk Fredericks, was let go after 14 seasons. Athletic Director Peter Elenbaas told the coach, who has a record of 269-68 with the team, that he would not be returning. In an analysis by Dan Ventura, he said that a “small circle of parents did not approve of Fredericks’ coaching style” in a Herald report.

It was among the top stories that had Sudbury residents talking, and debating, this year on Patch.

Court cases, deaths, restaurants opening and closing, survey rankings and more. In Sudbury this year, readers clicked on stories about Friendly’s closing, Whole Foods coming to town, a man who allegedly stabbed his parents to death and a renowned doc who allegedly groped a woman.

Here are the top 10 stories on Sudbury Patch in 2015:

1. Man Killed In Morning Bike Crash in Sudbury Identified: A man died after being struck by a truck while he participated in a triathlon in Sudbury. In May, a man died after injuries he sustained after being hit by a truck while riding a bicycle. Saadin Solah, 53, collided with a GMC pickup truck while participating in a triathlon.
2. Sudbury Friendly’s Closes ‘Without Warning’; Employees Transferred
   Sudbury Friendly’s employees were informed at 5 p.m. that the location would close that same day. In July, Sudbury Friendly’s employees received a call from headquarters at 5 p.m. on a Sunday that their location would close permanently that same day, at 6 p.m.
3. Narcan Administered At Edgell Road Crash; Sudbury Driver To Be Charged: A Sudbury man, 31, was to be charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of heroin. Framingham woman was other driver.
4. Activists ‘Elated’ but Skeptical on Ringling Bros. Decision to Remove Elephants: Public concern leads the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ to take elephants out of the ring, but activists are asking more questions. The circus made its announcement in March, bringing a mixed reaction.
5. Cyclist Killed After Being Struck By Truck During Triathlon:
   The cyclist was hit by a truck during a triathlon in Sudbury. Saadin Solah, 53, collided with a GMC pickup truck while participating in a triathlon.
6. Conrad’s to Open Early 2015 in Sudbury: The popular restaurant known for its steak tips is opening a third location.
7. Whole Foods is Coming to Sudbury: Whole Foods has plans to open a location in Sudbury. The store will be approximately 40,000 square feet and employ approximately 225 locally hired, full and part time team members.
8. Renowned Doctor on ADHD Charged With Groping Woman: In May,
   this noted doctor faced charges of indecent assault. Dr. Edward M. Hallowell, who is known for his work in attention deficit disorder, was charged with indecent assault, and accused of squeezing the buttocks of a makeup artist.
9. L-S High Baseball Coach Let Go: ‘There Have Been Complaints’: A winning coach was asked not to return for a 15th season after “complaints about his coaching style.”
10. ‘Red Flags’ Showed for Sudbury Man Accused of Stabbing Parents to Death: Mikhail Young had a history of arrests, violence, alcohol abuse and mental illness, say reports. He allegedly threatened to kill his parents. Young, 24, is facing double homicide charges, with investigators saying he stabbed both of his parents to death while on vacation, fled the scene, and returned to his home in Sudbury.

What was the most important story for you this year in Sudbury? Share in our comments section.