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Hacker's sentence is likely to be 17 to 25 years

Albert Gonzalez, a 28-year-old computer hacker accused in the biggest credit card theft in US history, would face between 17 and 25 years in prison under a plea agreement filed Monday in federal court in Boston. It would run concurrently with a similar term for his guilty plea in involving raids on the computer systems at TJX Cos. of Framingham and BJs Wholesale Club of Natick. Boston Globe, 12/22/09

Mass. Pike reports drop in drivers, revenue

The number of motorists using the Massachusetts Turnpike has dropped this year and that is pushing down toll revenue, a double dip that has not occurred since the 1974 energy crisis, according to state officials. Boston Globe, 12/20/09

Firefighters honored for pond rescue last winter

Fire Department Lieutenant Mike Aries and Firefighter Brian Linton received medals of valor -- their profession's highest honor -- during a recent statewide awards ceremony, where they were singled out for their roles in rescuing two teens who had fallen into an icy pond last December. Boston Globe, 12/16/09

High school football coach to step down

Natick High football coach and athletic director Tom Lamb told his team Monday afternoon what many had suspected for weeks: that this would be his final year leading the Red and Blue.

Local foundation distributes $160k in grants

A Natick-based philanthropic agency, the Foundation for MetroWest, has distributed $160,000 in grants to 22 area nonprofit organizations, with the funds focused on boosting arts and culture, family support, and the environment. Boston Globe, 12/14/09
Hollis and Waverly Streets in Framingham is also on the list. (Joanne Rathe/Globe Staff) Hollis and Waverly Streets in Framingham is also on the list.

Natick makes state list of dangerous intersections

Intersections in Brookline, Wellesley, Natick, Westborough, and Shrewsbury made the state's list of dangerous intersections, several on Route 9's stretch through the region. Boston Globe, 12/14/09

Registry to improve branch access

Registry of Motor Vehicles officials said they’ll start working on a list of road and sign improvements to the access road serving Natick’s Mass. Pike service area that houses the four-month-old Registry express branch. Boston Globe, 12/14/09

School takes on gay-themed play

Peter Atlas always thought Concord-Carlisle Regional High School was open to diversity, but when he put out his casting call for the musical “Falsettos’’ he had doubts about the turnout. How many teenagers would audition for a show about two homosexual couples, a straight couple, and a 12-year-old boy? Dozens, he learned. Boston Globe, 12/7/09

Voters choose Coakley and Brown

Framingham voted for Martha Coakley and Scott Brown.

Scary kidnapping ends in arrest

The 911 call Tuesday night was frantic, a young woman who said she had been kidnapped. But she had almost no identifying information to give the State Police dispatcher. The caller could say only that she was riding in a dark sedan, driven by a man she had met online. She finally found a chance to escape and the man was arrested. Boston Globe, 12/10/09

Forum on proposed new high school

A representative from the architectural firm designing the proposed new high school answered questions at a public forum Monday night. Boston Globe, 12/1/09

Man pleads guilty in pot case

A 20-year-old man who was arrested in August on multiple drug charges, pleaded guilty Tuesday. Boston Globe, 12/4/09

Former police chief gets third OUI

A Natick resident and former Weston police chief has been charged with his third drunken driving offense in connection with a car accident earlier this month. Boston Globe, 12/1/09

Framingham man chased, arrested in Natick office building

A Framingham man was arrested today after the car he was driving struck a police cruiser during a chase in which he ran into a Natick office building where he locked himself in a vacant room. Boston Globe, 12/2/09
Dr. Donald Baim, 60, interventional cardiology pioneer

Dr. Donald Baim, 60, interventional cardiology pioneer

Dr. Donald Baim, a renowned cardiologist and medical device executive, died yesterday following surgery to treat a form of cancer, his family said in a statement. He was 60. Dr. Baim most recently served as chief medical officer for Boston Scientific Corp., a leading manufacturer of pacemakers, defibrillators, and other implants. Boston Globe, 11/12/09
Auction is his ticket out of game (Bill Greene/Globe Staff)Developer Bob Rinaldi and his Natick luxury condo complex at 20 South Ave.

Auction is his ticket out of game

Bob Rinaldi is convinced that his 24-unit luxury condominium complex in Natick would have been a smashing success if only his timing had been right. Boston Globe, 11/9/09
Transportation talks focus on commuter rail, Route 9

Transportation talks focus on commuter rail, Route 9

As the state works to close a $100-million agreement to purchase control of the Boston to Worcester commuter line – a process that will take several years to complete – state officials hope to take steps in the meantime to improve the railway's less-than-reliable service, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray said Thursday following a conference in Natick on regional transportation issues. Boston Globe, 11/6/09

An effort to clean up Charles River

Federal and state environmental authorities are trying to clean up the Charles River’s infamous “dirty water’’ by drastically lowering its levels of phosphorus. Boston Globe, 11/5/09

Spiga Trattoria Italiana

Tucked away in what can only be described as an industrial park is an oasis-a small little piece of Italy found in the suburbs of Boston.

Organic farm ending community gardens program

Natick Community Organic Farm gardeners received bad news recently when they learned their community garden plots would be taken over by the farm to produce more organic crops for sale to the public. Boston Globe, 11/2/09

Calling all employers

A program started by the Natick public schools to support young adults with intellectual abilities is asking employers west of Boston to help it grow. Boston Globe, 10/25/09
Holly Lombardo created this diptych, called 'Winter Lines.' Holly Lombardo created this diptych, called "Winter Lines."

Getting into the art of blogging

Natick has a number of artists who regularly blog about what they and the community are up to, art-wise. Check out their postings.

Boston Scientific shares plunge

Boston Scientific Corp. dropped the most in 11 months in New York trading after the Natick heart-device maker said full-year sales and profit won’t meet its previous projections. Bloomberg News, 10/20/09

Showcasing Mass. and the military

Massachusetts' strength in military research and development, conducted at places such as the US Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick, is on full display at Milcom 2009, the largest international conference on military communications. Boston Globe, 10/19/09

State opens season on coyote hunting

It's open season on coyotes now, but experienced coyote hunters in Natick, Ashland and Framingham said hunting coyotes is difficult because the animals are smart and state laws prohibit hunting within 500 feet of homes or 150 feet of roadways. BostonChannel.com, 10/19/09
Blog

Third-quarter housing results

Natick picked up a little momentum for this period with a 6.95 percent increase in sales of single-family homes, but it appears supply of homes for sale is not keeping up with demand. Boston Kayak Guy, 10/19/09
Boston Real Estate Now

Mixed signs in the market

One of five metro areas in the country has emerged from the recession, according to the Moody's Adversity Index. The Cambridge/Metro is one of those lucky few. I live in Natick, so I am ready to really celebrate here! Boston Globe, 10/16/09
Brazilian immigrants at an English class at Framingham's New Life Church. (Joanne Rathe/Globe Staff) Brazilian immigrants at an English class at Framingham's New Life Church.

Immigrant study sheds new light

A new comparison of two of the region's largest immigrant groups suggests that Brazilians are more likely to be uninsured and to suffer high levels of stress than immigrants from the Dominican Republic. Boston Globe, 10/15/09
Public works director retires

Public works director retires

After 20 years leading the town’s Department of Public Works, Charles Sisitsky retired Tuesday. Don’t expect to spot him sipping margaritas, though. Boston Globe, 10/14/09
An exterior view of Beth Israel Deaconess-Needham's of the hospital's new $30 million addition and a treatment bay in its new emergency care department.

At area hospitals, nice view after the surgery

Free wireless Internet service, live plants, reclining chairs, European showers, flat-screen TVs, and pleasant views more often describe plush hotel accommodations than sterile hospital rooms. Boston Globe, 10/8/09

Family has cornered market since '38

Not many small, family-owned grocery stores have survived the onslaught of 24-hour convenience chains, mega-supermarkets, and warehouse clubs. Tilly & Salvy's Bacon Street Farm, in a residential neighborhood here, is a holdout from another era. Boston Globe, 10/6/09