Top 12 in 2012 Features 38 Minors Charged With Possession in Reading, School Building Project in North Reading

As 2012 comes to a close, let's reminisce and take a look at some of the top stories from the last year. In no particular order, here are the stories that were most widely read in 2012:

1. 38 Minors Charged With Possession of Alcohol in Reading. This story had both towns talking. On Sept. 2, according to Reading Police, officers reported to a house party were over 40 youths were present without adult supervision. As a result of the party, 38 minors are being charged with possession of alcohol and one youth is being charged with furnishing alcohol to minors, police said. The town implemented a zero tolerance policy when it comes to drinking, and Patch sat down with Chief Cormier to hear his thoughts on the subject.

2. Joe Fish May Be Moving into Old Piccadilly Pub Location. North Reading Residents were happy to hear about the Joe Fish opening on Main Street where the old Piccadilly Pub used to be. The restaurant is now open.

3. . The three remaining suspects in last February’s Archstone Circle home invasion pled guilty to multiple charges in Woburn Superior Court and, as a result, did not receive jail time.

4. Bunratty Tavern Coming to Reading. Reading residents cannot wait for the Bunratty Tavern to open in town. The tavern will be located in the historic M.F. Charles building and is currently under construction. The liquor license hearing for the tavern will be held in January.

5. North Reading Remembers Kristen Pulisciano. North Reading was both saddened and in shock when they heard about the death of Kristen Pulisciano, a North Reading native and 1991 North Reading High School graduate. She was stabbed to death at her home in Burlington in May. 

6. RMHS Athletic Director Leaving in June. Reading Memorial High School Athletic Director Phil Vaccaro had been athletic director since 1994, but according to Superintendent John Doherty, Vaccaro submitted a letter of intent to retire in April.

7. Reading Victim in Child Sex Crime Linked to Wakefield Day Care Business. A Wakefield husband and wife are facing numerous charges in connection with an illegal day care service that subjected at least 13 children - one of them just days old - to horrific sexual abuse that was recorded on video.  

8. Mrs. Felix's Cupcakes to Open Store in North Reading. Lindsay Felix grew up in North Reading and still lives in town with her husband and three children. For the last 10 years, she had been making cupcakes from scratch for the community free of charge. After an overwhelming amount of orders, Felix decided to start her own cupcake business online this past May and now is ready to open a store. North Reading is still awaiting the arrival of the Mrs. Felix’s Cupcakes storefront, but you can still order the delicious treats online or pick them up at Heav'nly Donuts or the Hornet's Nest.

9. North Reading Brought Back the Fourth. North Reading celebrated the Fourth of July for the first time in years this past July. The Bring Back the Fourth Committee was formed in September of 2011 to fundraise and plan for Fourth of July activities in North Reading. Chairman Fred Chalmers was joined by about 10 members who worked with various town departments to ensure that a celebration took place on Independence Day.

10. North Reading School Building Project Approved. No one will forget when the school building project was approved. The project passed at the Special Election in March, 3,075 to 802, and soon North Reading will have a new middle school and high school with shared core facilities.

11. Sheedy Will Not Return as Girls Soccer Coach. After 11 years patrolling the touchline as girls soccer coach at Reading Memorial High School, Mike Sheedy did not return this past fall. Sheedy offered his resignation about a week before Christmas in 2011, but did not do so entirely of his own volition, he said.

12. Three Arrested for Drugs in North Reading. This police log lists some of the calls handled by the North Reading Police Department and three drug arrests made on Aug. 3.