Top Marlborough Stories Of The Year: 2020 In Review

MARLBOROUGH, 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 looked back on 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 Marlborough.

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

January

14-Vehicle Crash On I-495 Stops Traffic

Thankfully no one was seriously hurt in this Friday night crash, which was actually two separate incidents that took place on either side of the highway.

February

Brewery Shakeup In Marlborough: Tackle Box, Strange Brew Close

Some good news to report: Tackle Box Brewing reopened this fall in a space at 416 Boston Post Road in Marlborough.

March

Coronavirus In Marlborough: City Identifies Presumed Case

The moment the pandemic hit Marlborough: city officials announced the first presumed case on March 11.

April

New England Patriots Plane Delivering Nearly 2 Million Face Masks

With a shortage of N95 masks in the state, the Patriots picked up a trove of the K95 version. They were stored at a military facility in Marlborough.

May

Marlborough Plans 'Safe, Controlled' High School Graduation

This was perhaps the first glimmer of hope after several long months of a pandemic lockdown.

June

Solomon Pond Mall Reopens After Coronavirus Closure

The reopening marked the state's general reopening in the summer, a period when the virus slipped out of view and gave way to unrest over policing and racism, including in Marlborough.

July

Hudson Gymnastics Coach Charged With Raping Teen: DA

Many were shocked by the news that the owner of a Stow gymnastics facility had been charged with sexual abuse.

August

Free Coronavirus Testing In Marlborough Extended Into September

And then the pandemic began to slowly return, and Marlborough was one of the first communities in the state to see a notable rise. Marlborough's last Stop the Spread site is set to close on Jan. 15.

September

Site Identified For New Marlborough Fire Station

Later in October, the City Council approved purchasing land for the station, a longtime goal for Mayor Arthur Vigeant.

October

Marlborough's Philip Raymond Indicted On Child Porn Charges: Feds

Raymond, a cryptocurrency specialist, had already been arrested several times before he was charged in October, according to prosecutors.

November

Choking Man Caused 4-Car Collision Along I-495 In Marlborough

No one was seriously injured in this crash, but it certainly underscored the new distracted driving law that went into effect in Massachusetts in 2020.

December

Coronavirus Testing Sites Will Shrink In Marlborough, Framingham

And on Dec. 30, Framingham will be down a city-run testing site, leaving fewer options in the area as health officials expect a sharp rise in cases following Christmas.