Medford's Most-Read Stories: 2020 Year In Review

MEDFORD, MA — It was a year unlike any other, and many people will be glad it's over.

While the coronavirus pandemic undoubtedly dominated the headlines this year, other stories caught our readers' attention, including one about a million-dollar lottery winner and another about a popular restaurant closing.

These were the most read stories of 2020 in Medford:

Medford Resident Tests Positive For Coronavirus

On March 10, Medford had its first "presumptive positive" case of COVID-19 as the pandemic reached Massachusetts. Days later, the state would shut down for the first time.

2 People Tied Up, Robbed In Medford Home Invasion: Police

In early March, a man tied up and robbed two people during a home invasion in the Fellsway West area. He had what appeared to be a gun and forced a woman to tie up another person inside the home and open a safe.

Complaints Mount Against Boston Sports Clubs During Shutdown

Gym-goers said Boston Sports Clubs, which continues to close more of its locations after filing for bankruptcy, did not provide them with a clear path for canceling their membership during the shutdown. Members ultimately sued BSC's parent company, Town Sports International.

Child Rapist Wayne Chapman Now Living In Medford

A notorious sex offender lived at a Medford nursing home before being moved out of state. Wayne Chapman was released from MCI-Shirley in 2019 after 40 years in prison. He was "run out" of Medford to another facility in Connecticut, his attorney later told Boston 25.

Medford Public Schools To Close For 2 Weeks

The Medford Public Schools joined other nearby districts in shutting down in mid-March. Schools would not reopen until the fall.

Medford Woman Wins $1M Mass. Lottery

Medford resident Madeline Russell won the Massachusetts State Lottery's "$10,000,000 Bankroll" instant game in February, becoming the third million-dollar prizewinner.

Driver Seriously Injured In Medford Crash

One person was seriously injured when a car crashed into a tree at Fellsway West and Elm Street in mid-January.

2 Medford Educators Self-Isolate For Coronavirus

Two Medford Public Schools employees self-isolated in their homes in early March after traveling to an area with ongoing "community spread" of the coronavirus. The risk of the contracting the virus in Medford was low at the time.

Medford Chicken & Rice Guys Closes After 'Severe' Flooding

The Chicken & Rice Guys closed its Medford restaurant in January after the space sustained extensive flood damage the previous month.

DA Deems Medford Officers In Payroll Scandal Untrustworthy

The 27 officers disciplined following an investigation into abuses of the Medford Police Department's overtime pay system were added to the Middlesex District Attorney's "Brady List," which consists of officers with credibility issues whose testimony could be considered unreliable.