Year in review: The top 10 stories from 2022 in the Brockton area

BROCKTON − Like every other year, the last 12 months were filled with many significant storylines in the Brockton area.

The Brockton Fair, a city staple since 1874, wasn't just canceled for the third year in a row. It's not coming back.

"I would say the fair is probably done for good," said Chris Carney, whose family owns the 45-acre West Side fairgrounds.

Following the Cardinal Spellman High football team’s loss to Bishop Fenwick, head coach Kahn Chace resigned from his position citing "parent harassment and disrespect."

Did you know that the Italian Kitchen was sold to familiar Brockton faces?

In case you missed it, here are 10 stories from the past year throughout the Brockton area that resonated with our readers.

3 Stoughton cops had 'inappropriate relations' with woman who killed herself, chief says

Police Chief Donna McNamara said that three now-former Stoughton police officers had "inappropriate relations" with Sandra Birchmore, a young woman who looked up to police and hoped to become a cop. She was pregnant when she killed herself in February 2021 in a Canton apartment, according to the Norfolk County district attorney's office. She was 23. "What I am here to talk about today is her life and how she was failed by, manipulated by and used by people of authority that she admired and trusted right up until her final days," McNamara said at a press conference held at police headquarters.

'Inappropraite relations':3 Stoughton cops had 'inappropriate relations' with woman who killed herself, chief says

2 Brockton men receive murder commutations, Gov. Baker's first

Gov. Charlie Baker commuted the first-degree murder sentences of two Brockton men in 2022, making both immediately eligible for parole. Baker approved the commutation requests of William Allen and Thomas Koonce to second-degree murder. The commutations, which were previously recommended by the Massachusetts Parole Board, were later approved by the Governor's Council. Commutations are rare in Massachusetts, with Gov. Deval Patrick issuing the last one in 2014, granting early release to then-49-year-old Deanne Hamilton, of Brockton, who was convicted of cocaine distribution.

More:Commutation votes move Brockton's William Allen, Thomas Koonce closer to freedom

Brockton Fair, a beloved 148-year-old tradition, won't return – here's why

The Brockton Fair, a city staple since 1874, wasn't just canceled for the third year in a row. It's not coming back. "I would say the fair is probably done for good," said Chris Carney, whose family owns the 45-acre West Side fairgrounds. Pandemic concerns led the Carneys to cancel the 2020 and 2021 fairs. The family announced on the Fair's website that the 2022 edition was also canceled.

Death of a tradition:Brockton Fair, a beloved 148-year-old tradition, won't return – here's why

COVID cancels Brockton Fair:COVID cancels Brockton Fair, city tradition since 1874, for second straight year

Reminisce with historic fair photos:Missing the Brockton Fair this year? Reminisce with these historic photos

Cardinal Spellman High football coach resigns mid-season citing harassment from parents

Following the Cardinal Spellman High football team’s loss to Bishop Fenwick on Oct. 6, 2022, head coach Kahn Chace resigned from his position citing "parent harassment and disrespect." “I’ve had friends and family come to games and have to leave because of the things being said about me in the stands,” said Chace. “I don’t even have my wife and kids go the game anymore because I don’t need them to hear that about me.”

Coach resigns mid-season:Cardinal Spellman High football coach resigns mid-season citing harassment from parents

Brockton's ex-police chief Emanuel Gomes charged criminally in crash

Former Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes will have to defend himself from a criminal charge of negligent operation in connection with a crash that resulted in injuries. Clerk-Magistrate Michelle Kelley ruled that Sean Sheridan, a private citizen and non-lawyer with no connection to the crash, proved "probable cause" in a grueling six-hour appearance in Wrentham District Court. A judge later refused to throw out the charge. Attorneys for Gomes argued for dismissal based on a state law intended to keep cops from "fixing" tickets. Judge Steven D. Power agreed with prosecutor Dannon Stacer, a Worcester County assistant district attorney, that the "no fix" law did not apply because the charge resulted from a private citizen's complaint instead of from police. The case is pending in court.

More:Judge refuses to throw out ex-Brockton police chief's crash charge

More:Ex-Brockton police chief arraigned in crash case. Here's what happened in court.

Italian Kitchen changed hands after 60 years of family ownership

Vinnie Zibelli sat in a wooden booth seat next to the front window of the Italian Kitchen of Brockton restaurant, sipping black coffee from a thick white mug. "I'm starting to get a bit misty-eyed," he said. It was the morning of the first day that his family didn't own Brockton's iconic Italian restaurant. The afternoon before, the Tosches family sold their business to Jeremy and Jonathan Jamoulis, the two brothers who own Cape Cod Café. "It's the first time in my life that I've been unemployed," said Zibelli, 76.

"It just continues the legacy':'It just continues the legacy': Italian Kitchen has been sold – to familiar Brockton faces

Raynham's Paul Monti remembered as amazing teacher, loving father, muse of country music.

Niccole Monti never remembers feeling her father's absence despite how busy he was juggling being a dad, his school work as a teacher and extracurriculars. “There is a saying, ‘Any man can become a father, but it takes a man to be a dad’ and my dad took on that role with such ease,” Niccole said at the funeral of her father, Paul Monti, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Raynham on Sept. 1, 2022. Dozens of state troopers lined up outside St. Ann as the wooden seats filled with friends, family and former students of Paul Monti, a Gold Star father from Raynham who died Aug. 26 at the age of 76 at Baypointe Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Brockton.

Tributes pour in for Paul Monti:Tributes pour in for Raynham's Paul Monti, whose fierce love for his son inspired so many

Raynham's Paul Monti remembered:Raynham's Paul Monti remembered as amazing teacher, loving father, muse of country music.

Paul Monti laid to rest:Gold Star father Paul Monti of Raynham laid to rest

Family and friends pay respects:Family and friends pay respects to Raynham's Gold Star father Paul Monti

Gold Star father inspired a president:Raynham's Gold Star father inspired a song and a president

West Bridgewater's 'Soupman' sidelined, at risk of homelessness amid embezzlement probe

Peter Kelleher, known as The Soupman for his nationally recognized work feeding the homeless, has been accused of embezzling from the nonprofit he founded. The charity booted him as CEO and his landlords could evict him. "I didn't steal any [expletive] money," Kelleher said in an interview outside the mothballed warehouse full of clothes, backpacks and other items waiting to be distributed to those in need. "I deposited one check. I put the wrong check in the wrong account." Kelleher, 62, started what became Support the Soupman after his son, Travis, died of a drug overdose while homeless.

West Bridgewater's 'Soupman' sidelined:West Bridgewater's 'Soupman' sidelined, at risk of homelessness amid embezzlement probe

Here's what's happening amid probe:Here's what's happening with Soupman donations amid embezzlement probe

'Why are we fixating on a broken man?:'Why are we fixating on a broken man?': Soupman may be liquidated amid family drama

Kelleher speaks amid investigation:Removed as Support the Soupman CEO, Peter Kelleher speaks amid embezzlement investigation

Brenda Perez breaks glass ceiling, color line as Brockton's next police chief

Mayor Robert Sullivan tapped city native Lt. Brenda Perez to be the next chief of Brockton Police. Perez is the first woman to lead the city's police force, and first person of color to do so. "Having lived in Brockton my entire life and served as a Brockton Police Officer for 22 years, I am honored to have been selected by Mayor Sullivan to be the Chief," Perez said in an email to The Enterprise. "I look forward to working with him, the rest of the city government, and the community to build a better Brockton for all in the city."

Brenda Perez set to break glass ceiling:Brenda Perez set to break glass ceiling, color line as Brockton's next police chief

"Historic moment':'Historic moment' — Brockton police names its first female lieutenant

Brockton firefighter Matt Flaherty remembered as 'incredible person and genuinely loved'

Brockton firefighter Matthew Flaherty was remembered as "an incredible person and genuinely loved," the kind of person who made everyone "around him smile and laugh." “Matt was a 10-year veteran of the Brockton Fire Department, who was loved and respected by all and will be greatly missed by all members of the Brockton Fire Department,” Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli said. Flaherty, a Marine veteran, was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on April 11, 2022 on South Main Street in West Bridgewater.

'Incredible person and genuinely loved':Brockton firefighter Matt Flaherty remembered as 'incredible person and genuinely loved'

'How lucky were we to have known you': 'How lucky were we to have known you': Brockton firefighter laid to rest with full honors

Solemn walk-through pays tribute:Solemn walk-through pays tribute to Brockton firefighter Matthew Flaherty

Outpouring of greif:Outpouring of grief as Brockton Firefighter Matthew Flaherty is brought home

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: The top 10 stories from 2022 throughout the Brockton area