As one decade ends and another begins, let’s take a look back at the top stories over the past 10 years! The year 2019 marked NorthEndWaterfront.com’s 10th Anniversary and we are so grateful to all our readers, patrons and sponsors who have contributed to our community news project. Without further ado, let’s go back to 2009 and work our way to 2019!
2009 Top Stories
North End’s Aaron Michlewitz Wins Election
The North End’s Aaron Michlewitz pulled out the win in a hard-fought Democratic primary race for State Representative of the 3rd Suffolk District. Michlewitz has been the dominant political force in the community over the past decade and the subject of over 200 posts here on the site leading to his latest promotion to the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee. Read our recent interview with Rep. Aaron Michlewitz.
Fresh Cheese To Close on Endicott Street
The cheese shop, Fresh Cheese, a long-time fixture on Endicott Street closed its doors after its proprietor, Carmen “The Cheesman” DiNunzio, plead guilty to state extortion, gaming and bribery charges involving the Big Dig. The Cheese Shop survived a bit more on Fleet St. which is another story.
Runner-up posts from 2009 include complaints from Charlestown residents about cannon fire, Salem Street murals and The Town movie filming in the North End.
2010 Top Stories
Missing Since February From Marriott Long Wharf, Body of Eugene Losik Identified
Missing person Eugene Losik was identified in Boston Harbor near Rowes Wharf and recovered from Fort Point Channel. Losik had been missing after being last seen at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel.
Freedom Trail Map Unveiling on Cross Street in North End
A Freedom Trail Map was unveiled on Cross Street in the North End at the location of the former Martignetti’s Liquors.
“What’s Your Number?” Movie Filming in North End
Anna Faris’ character, Ally, “lives” at 14 Cooper St. which was renovated for filming. Watch the trailer.
Here are a couple more from 2010:
- Welcome to the Historic North End; Sorry, No Public Restrooms
- Community leader, Bobby DeCristoforo, Dies in Cancun
- Street Corner Society – Video of William Foote Whyte & North End Interviews
2011 Top Stories
Burned Car of Andover Murder Victims Found On North End’s Prince Street
The burning 2008 black Lexus was found in the area of 126 Prince Street,
Menino Plays Godfather in Parody Video About Harbor Garage Dispute With Chiofaro
The future of the Harbor Garage has been a frequent topic on the site. In this parody video, the late Mayor made his stance clear. Recently, City and State officials have been more supportive of the Chiofaro Company’s tower plan.
Drug Trafficking Scheme Indictments Come Down on North Ender and Associates
Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office indicted three North Enders in a drug trafficking scheme along with several defendants from Revere and elsewhere. Authorities seized approximately 500 grams of cocaine along with marijuana, money and vehicles.
Fire Destroys Building at Commercial Wharf
Boston Fire responded to 95 Commercial Wharf where a 2 story law office built on the water was destroyed by fire.
A few more from 2011:
- North End Address at Endicott & Thacher Streets Named in Rhode Island Mafia Indictment
- North End Population Totals 10,131 Per 2010 Census
- YMCA Withdraws from Plans to Build on Greenway
2012 Top Stories
New Pedestrian Bridge Makes for Easy Walk or Bike to Cambridge
A new bridge connects Paul Revere Park in Charlestown to North Point Park in Cambridge
Son of Winter Hill Gang “Executioner” Identified as Salem Street Robber
Vincent Martorano, son of Winter Hill gang hitman, John “The Executioner” Martorano, was identified as a suspect in a Salem Street drive-by robbery.
Dramatic Part 1 “Kitchen Nightmares” Episode Features North End’s La Galleria 33 Restaurant
Chef Gordon Ramsay comes to Boston’s North End to pay a visit to La Galleria 33, opened in 2006 by sisters Rita and Lisa.
Tony DeMarco Statue Unveiled at Historic Ceremony in North End
The pride of the North End, Tony DeMarco, “The Flame and Fury of Fleet Street,” the former undisputed Welterweight Champion of the World, was on hand to see his statue unveiled at the corner of Hanover Street and Cross Street at the gateway to the North End.
2013 Top Stories
Remembering Salem Street in the 1950’s
Boschetto’s Bakery Closing on Salem Street After 110 Years in North End
Boschetto’s Bakery dates back to the late 1800’s when Italian immigrant Andrew Boschetto started making bread in the North End. From the 1950’s, the Bruno family was the face of Boschetto’s for decades on Salem Street.
Marty Walsh Is Boston’s New Mayor
In a 52%-48% victory over John Connolly, Walsh was elected to be the next Mayor in the City of Boston.
North End Flashback: 1970’s Teen Documentary [Video]
Highlights of a 1970’s documentary of the North End produced by the North End Teen Collaborative.
Ida’s Italian Cuisine, Since 1951, Closes Its Doors
The losing of Ida’s Italian Cuisine on Mechanic Street.
Waterfront Property Owners Will Need Flood Insurance Under New FEMA Maps
The new flood line for the Boston’s North End / Waterfront goes much further inland than the previous risk assessment.
2014 Top Stories
Expanding the Eliot School Campus and Renovating the Former N. Bennet St. School
Boston Public Schools presented its expansion plan for the Eliot K-8 Innovation School including a renovation of the former North Bennet Street School as well as 585 Commercial Street. Combined with the existing property at 16 Charter Street, the new Eliot Campus will consist of three North End / Waterfront properties serving over 700 children.
Battery Wharf Hotel Losing Fairmont Brand After Property Sale
Westmont Hospitality Group has been named as the new manager of the hotel.
Body Found in Harbor at Long Wharf Identified as North End Resident
Authorities have identified the deceased body found in the harbor at Long Wharf as a 24-year-old North End resident, Eric Munsell.
Nor’Easter Brings Rising Tides and Flooding
The nor’easter snowstorm started off the year with not only 14 inches of snow to the North End waterfront, but a record high tide from Boston Harbor.
2015 Top Stories
Lewis Wharf Developer Launches New Plan for Two Building Hotel
A 300-room hotel project was proposed at Lewis Wharf on Boston’s North End waterfront. Along with significant opposition, the project was sidelined by a State ruling preventing building over submerged pilings.
Boston Garden Project Gets Go Ahead for First Phase, Including Supermarket
At a total estimated cost of nearly $1 billion, the North Station “Hub on Causeway” project will eventually include three towers (hotel, residential & office).
Anthony Petruccelli Resigns State Senate Seat
After a 16 year career in the Massachusetts Legislature, State Senator Anthony Petruccelli announced that he was resigning his Senate seat. In 2016, Joe Boncore would win a special election to represent the district.
High Speed Car Rollover on Commercial Street Leaves Two Dead
Two people were killed and another injured in a high speed car rollover crash on Commercial Street, where it takes a sharp curve by the Steriti skating rink.
“King Tide” Brings Record Sea Level Rise to Boston’s Waterfront
Boston’s waterfront saw its highest tide, known as “King Tide.”
2016 Top Stories
Joe Boncore Wins State Senate Race
The Winthrop resident won the First Suffolk and Middlesex district seat including Boston’s North End / Waterfront, Beacon Hill, East Boston as well as Revere, Winthrop and parts of Cambridge.
New Paul Revere House Education & Visitor Center Opens
The opening of the new Education and Visitor Center at Lathrop Place marks the culmination of a transformational project and multi-year construction effort at the Paul Revere House historic site.
Street Light Wireless Antennas Coming to Boston
The new antenna systems extend out on the sidewalk from street light poles and on top of traffic and pedestrian walk signal posts.
Development Proposed at Cross and Hanover Streets
A new North End commercial development was presented for Cross Street between Hanover and Salem by property owner Charter Realty.
A couple more from 2016:
- Heart of Saint Padre Pio Greeted by Thousands
- Look Inside Frank DePasquale’s Reimagined and Expanded Trattoria il Panino
2017 Top Stories
Sal LaMattina Will Not Seek Reelection as District 1 City Councilor
The decision came after 29 years of public service to the City of Boston, including 11 years on the City Council.
Fire Kills Two Residents on Hanover Street
One man died in the building while a second jumped and succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
Lydia Edwards Wins Election for District 1 City Council Seat
In a hard-fought race for the District 1 City Council seat, East Boston resident Lydia Edwards took the win over Stephen Passacantilli. Edwards filled the seat vacated by Sal LaMattina.
Renovated Saint Leonard Church Reopens
Hundreds packed into Saint Leonard Church as Cardinal Sean O’Malley joined the Franciscan Friars to reopen the iconic church and perform the consecration of the new altar.
A few more from 2017:
- Indecent Assault on Hanover Street
- Talking With Paul Deuterio From Galleria Umberto (No, It’s Not Closing)
- Maurizio’s Ristorante Italiano Closing Its Doors
- North End Dog Park Opens at DeFilippo (Gassy) Park Flights
2018 Top Stories
Proposed North End Starbucks Strongly Opposed at Public Meeting
Opponents of a proposed North End Starbucks made a powerful showing at a nearly three hour public meeting. The issue at hand was a license request by the coffee company 198 Hanover Street, part of the Charter Realty development along Cross Street.
Storm Surge Brings Record Flooding to Waterfront
Record flooding was seen in the North End and the downtown Boston waterfront as a 3 foot storm surge came in with a 12 foot high tide on the harbor. Flood waters reached the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a first in Boston, and the highest levels since the Blizzard of ’78.
A few more from 2018:
- Bracing for Summer Start of Charlestown Bridge Work
- Topping-Off For ‘The Hub on Causeway’ Development Project at North Station
- First Feast of San Gennaro in Boston’s North End
2019 Top Stories
Maria’s Pastry Shop Closes 
100th St. Anthony’s Feast 
Green Cross Pharmacy Closes
2019 was marked by the closing of two longtime family businesses in the North End:
- Maria Merola is Closing her Pastry Shop After 50 Years
- Green Cross Pharmacy is Closing After 55 Years
Metal Falls from Commercial Wharf Roof Hitting Woman
Metal debris, possibly a railing, fell from the roof of Commercial Wharf and hit a woman in the head, sending her to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
A few more top reads from 2019:
- Saint Anthony’s Feast 100th Anniversary Spectacle
- Star Market Supermarket at North Station Opens
- Residents Evacuated from 454-464 Hanover Street
- The Living Room is Closing
- Treasure Hunt Leads to North End Baseball Field
- Patriots Fans Fight on Salem Street
- Workers Strike at Battery Wharf Hotel
That is a wrap on the 2010’s decade! We have published over 15,000 posts that now make up our huge 10-year archive. Sure, we have had our share of scoops, but also learned the value of everyday stories and putting out community news on a consistent, daily basis.
If you’re not already receiving our free email newsletter, you can sign up here. And, if you get your news via social media, be sure to join our Facebook page and Twitter feed.
On behalf of the NorthEndWaterfront.com family, thank you for a decade’s worth of support! We very much appreciate those who have contributed to our content and/or provide funding. We especially call out our loyal patrons and sponsors who have helped take the site to the next level.
Of course, we have an eye on the future and how NorthEndWaterfront.com should evolve in the next decade. As always, feel free to comment below or share your feedback directly on our contact form.
Here’s to uplifting community news in 2020’s!
Matt Conti, Founder
Matt: Great compilation done for us at year’s end.
A little too much focus on organized crime stories & figures. Just my opinion.
You mean the politicians?
T, yeah I would include the former Speaker of the house who left a stain on all Italians & the neighborhood.
For the record, these were the most viewed posts (i.e., most popular). I did not select them.
Thank you Matt! A trip down memory lane for sure…..
I enjoyed reading all the news every single day on here around 4:00. You always do a great job along with the workers and of course always with the camera during the feasts and etc. Until 2020! Keep up the great work Matt!