Woman Shares Heroin Battle, Rape Charges, Man Dies Swimming on Vacation, More: Top 10 2015 Stories on Wayland Patch

WAYLAND, MA - This summer, allegations surfaced surrounding Wayland’s athletic department, with school officials seeking outside assistance to investigate those allegations. Stephen Cass, the school’s athletic director, argued that the department had problems that included discrimination against girls.

The issue escalated, with a call for “outside help.” Cass was then told his contract would not be renewed, and answered with a letter detailing “many disturbing practices.”

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

Court cases, deaths, restaurants opening and closing, survey rankings and more. In Wayland this year, readers clicked on stories about a missing teen, Whole Foods leaving town, a church closings, a man who died in a tragic accident while on vacation, and a Wayland woman who shared her battle with heroin.

What Wayland story this year resonated with you? Share in our comments section below.

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

1. That’s right. The top story views by Wayland Patch readers this year was an announcement by McDonald’s that it was cutting a handful of items from its menu. Wayland readers must have been nervous that the Filet O’ Fish or Big Mac was getting the slice, because the story received nearly 45,000 views.
2. Dale Calverley of Wayland Passed Away on Vacation: Well-known local reportedly passed away while on vacation with his family. Calverley reportedly died as the result of a swimming accident in the Adirondack Mountains.
3. Wayland Woman On Chronicle’s “Opioid Crisis”: A Wayland woman shared her battle and ultimate triumph over heroin addiction as a teen in this WCVB feature on the opioid crisis. In the series, Becka Riley from Wayland, who Chronicle describes as a “21-year-old girl from a well-to-do Boston suburb whose high school drinking progressed to prescription drug use and then heroin” is featured.
4. Missing Wayland Teenager Found: the Wayland Police Department issued an alert asking for assistance in finding Nia McKay, a 14-year-old girl, who has been missing since Saturday evening.McKay had gone out for a walk from her Commonwealth Road home, and her family hadn’t heard from her.
   
5. Whole Foods in Wayland Moving to Sudbury: The new store will be bigger, and employ more people. Whole Foods Market has announced that the store newly being developed in Sudbury will serve as a relocation of the current Whole Foods Market store in Wayland.
6. Wayland DPW Employee Arraigned on Child Rape Charges: A Wayland town employee is facing rape and assault charges in an “extremely disturbing” case.
7. Episcopal Church to Closed Due to Declining Membership: In a trend happening across the country, a church in Wayland is closing because “we can no longer provide the services and programs ...” Rev. Frederick Moser announced that members have voted to close the Episcopal church “because we can no longer provide the services and programs that we would like to offer to Wayland and the surrounding area.”
8. JJ McKays Closes Its Doors: The established bar and restaurant, along with the Beyond Beans bakery inside, closed down after close to 40 years in business.
9. Wayland’s Bruce Schwoegler Among 12 To Be Inducted into Broadcasters Hall of Fame: Wayland’s Bruce Schwoegler is among 12 TV/Radio luminaries to be inducted into Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
10. Superintendent Responds to Allegations Surrounding Athletics Department: “The recent dialogue about allegations regarding our athletic program has understandably created questions and concerns.” Earlier this summer, allegations started to surface surrounding Wayland’s athletic department, with school officials seeking outside assistance to investigate those allegations.