Mayan 'Doomsday,' Dangerous Neighborhoods Make Top 5 Stories of 2012

Although Northcenter-Roscoe Village Patch only launched in September, it's clear readers in the neighborhood were craving local news. 

Between the Mayan "doomsday" being a flop to two 15-year-old girls getting hit by an SUV outside Lane Tech, this is a list of the top five most-read articles on your local Patch in 2012.

1. Apocalypse Fail: Why the World Didn't End

In another attempt to debunk widespread belief that the world is coming to an end on Dec. 21, 2012, NASA has released a video intended to be aired on Dec. — confirming that life on Earth continues on.

The four-minute video titled "Why the World Didn't End Yesterday," labels the Dec. 21 Mayan apocalypse as a hoax and explains how the rumors began. Watch it on Patch.

2. Peanut Butter Recall Now Affecting Man’s Best Friend

Patch urged dog owners to keep an eye on their pooches, because the list of salmonella-infected nut butters in October included a popular dog treat.

The voluntary recall of salmonella-tainted peanut and almond butter now extends beyond Trader Joe’s stores to include more than 70 products sold nationwide, including a popular doggie peanut butter treat called Dogsbutter. Read more here.

3. Most Dangerous Neighborhoods: See Where North Center Rank

Murders and gang activity may have graced headlines in Chicago more often in 2012, but what areas of Chicago are the most dangerous?

Patch broke down all 77 Chicago communities to see where the most and least amount of reported criminal activity happened in the last year. Everything from murders to thefts was tallied in the count, and some of the results may surprise you. Read more here.

4.

Two 15-year-old girls were hit by an SUV outside Lane Tech High School in North Center in October, causing both to be rushed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital, the Chicago Tribune reports.

At the time of admission, one was listed in critical condition, and the other in fair condition, Police told WGN Radio. Read more here.

5. Craft Beer Store ‘Bottles and Cans’ Opens on Lincoln Avenue

After getting married last year, North Center residents Carly and Joe Katz are taking the next step in their relationship: opening a business.

The two picked a spot on North Center’s main corridor, and after a year and a half of hard work, they’re proud owners of Bottles and Cans, a new craft beer and high-end liquor store opening at 4109 N. Lincoln Avenue in October. Read more here.