Community Corner

Top 10 Most Popular Stories of the Year

Here are the biggest stories that had you buzzing in 2011

Getting ready to ring in the New Year? Before you break out the streamers and noise-makers to celebrate 2012, join Riverhead Patch as we look back on the biggest news stories of the past year. Today, Patch counts down the top 10 most popular stories from 2011 based on views and comments.

A pair of suspensions led to a national media frenzy after two Riverhead High School students were suspended in December after "Tebowing" (striking a kneeling pose to imitate Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow) in the school hallway. Nearly 500 people comments on the story, which was picked up by ESPN, network news, and other local outlets. Tebow himself later warned the students to obey authority, but said he respected their decision to "Tebow."

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The tragic story of Keri and Jason Trinca, a Manorville mother and her 7-year-old son who were killed in an October car crash, gripped the Riverhead community this fall. Keri and her family were regulars at the Riverhead Raceway, where Jason was an award-winning go-kart racer. Two other children in the car were treated for serious injuries. One of the children,

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The downtown Riverhead community suffered a major blow on Dec. 15, when Long Island Aquarium Co-Owner Jim Bissett, of Mattituck, was found dead in his car at a Mattituck park. Bissett, who was heavily involved in the business of rebuilding downtown, was praised by his colleagues and friends following his unexpected passing. Police said Bissett was not a victim of foul play.

Two dozen horses were rescued in late April from a Calverton farm after being neglected - some, to the point of near death - by their owners. The horses were treated by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The owner of the horses was later

Just before Cody's BBQ and Grill opened on Main Street, owner Richard Gherardi spoke with Patch about the inspiration behind the popular steakhouse.

A dining hall burned to the ground at a Boy Scout Reservation in Wading River this November. No one was hurt in the blaze, Former Scouts also shared their thoughts on the old dining hall.

A Riverhead woman who was born during Hurricane Gloria in 1985 gave birth to a healthy baby girl as Hurricane Irene barreled through Long Island. Hailey Elizabeth Witt was 8 pounds when she was delivered by c-section after emergency generators kicked in during the storm.

Despite weakening to a tropical storm, Irene still battered the East End this August with high winds and driving rain. Damage was not as bad as experts anticipated, though power was knocked out for tens of thousands of residents for days after the storm.

Police busted an East End drug ring in February, leading to nearly two dozens arrests, including five admitted gang members from the Riverhead and Flanders area.

As proposals from Lowe's, Costco and Wal-Mart flooded into Town Hall, the Town Board discussed getting help in the review process.


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