Community Corner
Top Worcester Stories Of The Year: 2020 In Review
See the most-read story on Worcester Patch for each month in 2020.
WORCESTER, 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 Worcester.
Here's a month-by-month look back at the year that was:
January
Holy Cross Crash Report, 911 Calls Released By Vero Beach Police
2020 began with a tragic crash in Florida involving the Holy Cross women's rowing team. A police report said that the team's coach, Patrick Diggins, may have caused the crash by making an illegal turn.
February
WAAF Sold, Will Become Christian Contemporary Station
Quite an outcome for a radio station whose Worcester roots were in hard rock and shock jocks like Opie and Anthony.
March
A COVID-19 Virus 'Roadmap' Made In Massachusetts
A Worcester Polytechnic Institute professor completed a map of the novel coronavirus about a month before cases began showing up in the state.
April
At War With Coronavirus: Saint Vincent Nurse Details Struggle
Inside Worcester's Saint Vincent Hospital with a nurse on the front lines of fight against coronavirus.
May
Traci Swan, Killed In Worcester, Was Mom Who Worked With Teens
Swan was the first homicide victim in Worcester in 2020. She died during a domestic incident in late May.
June
'Amplify Black Voices' Is Rallying Cry At Worcester Protest
Worcester saw multiple protests over race and policing over the summer. But the June 1 demonstration was a turning point after protesters clashed with police late that night, creating the Defund WPD movement.
July
Fight Over Restaurant Bill Leads To Deadly Worcester Shooting: DA
This July 4 homicide was the third in Worcester within one week, and the second over the Independence Day weekend.
August
Tenet Healthcare owns Worcester's Saint Vincent Hospital and the MetroWest Medical Center hospitals in Framingham and Natick.
September
Worcester's Lone Billionaire Is 359th Richest Man In U.S.
Valentin Gapontsev appeared on the Forbes 400 list of the richest people in the U.S. for the first time in 2020.
October
Girl, 11, Abducted Off Worcester Street, Fights Off Kidnappers
A possible tragedy was averted in Worcester when a girl fought off a Hudson man who tried to abduct her, police said.
November
Dick's Sued Over Worcester Store's Missed Rent Payments
A shopping center giant is suing Dick's over payments missed during the pandemic at stores in Worcester, Michigan and Washington state.
December
Worcester Moves To Remove Deadly Coes Reservoir Beach
Worcester plans to build a boardwalk across the beach, which is already closed to swimmers. An outdoor classroom could replace Hillside Beach if the project goes through, according to the parks department.
