Top Stories of 2015 in Andover

ANDOVER, MA - 2015 zipped by for most people in town, until time seemed to stand still as the long-awaited trial of Philip Chism began this Fall.

Chism, is the Danvers teen and former Danvers High School student, who was found guilty of raping and murdering his math teacher, Colleen Ritzer of Andover, in 2013.

From the time the trial of the 16-year-old began, the town held its collective breath as the community followed the murder trial.

Just as one might expect, the trial stories dominated the top stories of the year.

• Philip Chism Found Guilty of First Degree Murder
• Ritzer Family and Community Members React to Jury’s Verdict
• Philip Chism Back in Court Day After Guilty Verdict

Another story that captured the community’s attention at the end of the year was when authorities released new information in Andover’s double murder cold case. And in November, sexting photos were allegedly passed around at high school.

A story that is always popular with readers, was the local sex offender list. People in town want to know where Level 3 sex offenders live and work. The Level 3 designation is reserved for the most severe offenders, according to the state’s Sex Offender Registry Board. These types of sex offenders pose a ”high risk” to reoffend. There were no registered Level 3 sex offenders in town this fall, but there were some Level 2 sex offenders registered in Andover.

Do you remember this story?

An Andover man was among Teamsters accused of extorting ‘Top Chef’ crew.

Longtime Andover Police dispatcher Trish Ward’s last shift after 32 years as a dispatcher for the town was in October.

In September, local firefighters were among dozens of firefighters who battled the massive Haverhill mil fire. And a former Merrimack Professor pleads guilty to child porn charges.

This summer, a couple of top Massachusetts stories were also big in Andover when the FBI released never-before-seen Gardner Museum Art Heist video, and when four Massachusetts residents were found dead in a Maine cabin.

There are very few people who will ever forget the story of Baby Doe.

Here are a few other top stories of 2015:

• Phillips Grad From Hong Kong Charged in Party Bust
• Black Hawk Helicopters May Be Visible in Eastern Massachusetts as Part of a Disaster Training Drill
• 5-Year-Old Drowns in Methuen Pool
• Andover Reserve Officer Saves Heroin Overdose Victim
• Andover Lawyer Charged in Superseding Indictment With $1 Million Tax Refund Check Scam

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