Looking Back on 2011: Newsworthy Police/Fire Stories in Newton
We recap the ten most read police/fire stories from the last year.
Photos
Throughout this week, we'll be looking back at some of the most read stories from the year gone-by. Yesterday, we reviewed the top five Newton business stories and today we take a look at the police and fire stories that had you, the readers, visiting our site.
If you're new to Newton Patch, these recaps will be a way to familiarize yourself with what Patch has been up to during 2011. If you're a longtime reader, this is your chance to reminisce. The stories below are presented in no particular order.
1. Newton searches for missing New York man (March 5-8)
An abandoned car in Chestnut Hill set off a local search for a missing diabetic man from New York, whose car was found outside the Brimmer & May school. The parents of David Mark traveled to Newton to plea for the public's help in finding their son. Sadly, Mark's body was found a few days later on the shoreline of East Boston.
2. Waverley Avenue fire (Feb. 21)
In the early-morning hours of February 21, a blaze tore through a home on Waverley Avenue in Newton Corner, taking the life of award-winning producer and educator Beth Deare. A few months later, her close friend and roommate spoke with Newton Patch to tell Deare's story and thank the public for its support after the fire.
3. Auburndale Avenue fire (March 30)
On the evening of March 30, Newton Firefighters battled a three-alarm blaze at a triple-decker home in West Newton. Everyone made it out safe, thanks to the heroic efforts of off-duty firefighter Nick McGrath, who rushed into the burning building to alert a young family. A local police officer was also honored for his efforts in the rescue.
4. Chestnut Hill tower evacuated (Feb. 18)
Although there was not a large blaze, Newton struck three alarms on February 18 for area departments to assist as they evacuated hundreds of residents from one of the buildings at the Towers at Chestnut Hill. An electrical fire knocked out power, forcing residents to stay with friends or at a local hotel.
5. Conviction stands for Newton man charged with assault (Aug. 15)
The Massachusetts Appeals Court upheld the conviction of a Newton man who was charged with assaulting and injuring two female Jehovah's Witnesses in 2008.
6. Woman dies in Memorial Day weekend blaze (May 30)
An elderly woman died in an early-morning blaze that tore through a Newton Centre home on Cottonwood Road.
7. Watertown Street shooting (March 17)
A St. Patrick's Day shooting shocked Nonantum earlier this year. The reported shooter allegedly fired shots through a door at Cristofori Jewelers on Watertown Street. No one was seriously injured during the shooting. Later this year, the incident was linked to another arrest in Watertown and a separate incident involving a former Watertown police officer.
8. Reported Crystal Lake drowning (Aug. 19)
Newton Police and Fire crews spent five hours searching Crystal Lake on August 19 after a woman reported seeing a swimmer go under and not return to the surface. After calling in support from a Salem, MA dive team, the search came up negative.
9. Man dies after fall from radio tower (Oct. 12)
A 30-year-old man from Iowa died in October after he fell from a radio tower locatedoff Chestnut Street in Newton Upper Falls. The man was doing maintenance on the side of the tower when he fell.
10. Newton man connected with Waltham drug bust (Oct. 20)
Eric Falzon, 43, of Newton was arrested in October after police uncovered a large marijuana growing and trafficking operation in Waltham, which involves a former Watertown town councilor. The case has since been moved to Federal Court.
