In local news, 2014 was a year of storms, tears and remembrance, and the Boston Marathon bombing was still fresh on everyone’s minds one year later.
Winter Storms
It started with two big storms dumping more than two feet of snow on some towns in January with blizzard conditions.
Coastal flooding was a major concern while MassDOT unveiled new plows to help keep the roads clear.
Revere Tornado
The bad weather continued in July when a tornado touched down in Revere and caused millions of dollars’ worth of damage, but no injuries.
Boston Marathon Bombing Anniversary
The state and runners everywhere paused for reflection on April 15 to mark the one year anniversary of the Marathon bombing.
Families of the four people killed marked the anniversary by laying wreaths on Boylston Street at the finish line.
On Marathon Monday, the finish line was the scene of Boston Strong celebrations that were felt far and wide.
The federal attorney’s office in Massachusetts scored three convictions for friends of accused bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. In December, Tsarnaev was taken to federal court for a hearing and his trial is scheduled to begin in January.
Back Bay Firefighter Tragedy
The city of Boston mourned the loss of two firefighters who were killed fighting a large blaze in the Back Bay.
Michael Kennedy and Ed Walsh were remembered when other firefighters from across the country came to the city for their funerals.
Aaron Hernandez Charged With More Murders
More criminal charges were filed against former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez.
In addition to charges for the murder of Odin Lloyd, a grand jury returned indictments for two additional murder charges in the deaths of two men in Boston’s South End in 2012.
N.H. Girl Missing for 9 Months Returns Home
Nine months after her disappearance, a 14-year-old girl returned home to her parents in New Hampshire.
Police charged her alleged captor Nathaniel Kibby with more than 200 counts of indecency and sexual assault that occurred after her kidnapping.
Blackstone House of Horrors
The town of Blackstone became the center of a horrific story after the remains of three babies were found inside a home.
The mother of the infants was charged with murder after the bodies were removed from what was described as a house full of filth.
Four other children were found alive and taken into state custody. The woman’s boyfriend was also charged with assault and battery, among other indictments.
Afghani Officers Flee Cape Cod Base
Three Afghani military officers disappeared from Cape Cod in September. Their disappearance caused concerns, but the men were eventually caught at the Canadian border trying to get political asylum.
14 Arrested for NECC Meningitis Outbreak
Fourteen people were arrested in connection with 64 deaths and hundreds of injuries, all stemming from tainted drugs made at New England Compounding Center in Framingham.
Market Basket Workers Rally for Artie T.
It was a long, hot summer for Market Basket after the board of directors fired Arthur T. Demoulas, a co-owner who was backed by company workers. Employees picketed, shelves went bare and shoppers boycotted until an eleventh-hour buyout from Artie T. put him back on top.
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Goes Viral
2014 was the year of the ice bucket challenge for ALS and it was started by Boston College baseball star Pete Frates right here in Massachusetts. The challenge went viral, right up to the White House.