Top 10 Stories of 2012: 14 Horses Die in Barn Fire

Bedford Patch launched in June of 2011, making 2012 the first complete year of full-time hyper-local online community coverage in Bedford.

In the last 12 months, readers have been treated with some uplifting and positive stories and accomplishments. At other times, Patch has been forced to cover local and national tragedies that make us all take pause and remember who and what is most important to us.

We thought it only fitting that, as we approach 2013, we look back at some of the most interesting and newsworthy local stories of the last year. After all, where else are you going to get a list that's entirely dedicated to Bedford?

#3: 14 Horses Die in Barn Fire

In early September, a Bedford family suffered a great loss – emotionally, monetarily and physically – when their farm's horse barn burned down killing 14 of its four-legged occupants.

"It was our income, and we have no income any more. Everything is gone. Everything is burned to the ground," Perry Hill Farm-owner Harriet Finks told WMUR.

Since, the community has rallied around the farm. Many have looked for and found ways to help, including 9-year-old Maeve Jackson, who took riding lessons at the farm. She joined forced with Bedford Carrabba's managing partner Danny Somaru, and together they helped raise $4,000 through donations at local football games and at the restaurant.

One of the family's cherished cats, who was burned and injured in the blaze, was also returned home after weeks of treatment.

Top 10 Newsworthy Stories of 2012

#10: Bedford hires a new town manager

#9: Frank Szabo's abortion remarks spark outrage

#8: Bedford All-Stars fall one win short of Little League World Series

#7: Bedford plays large role in Romney's primary victory

#6: Sandy knocks out power to thousands in Bedford

#5: Plenty of Fireworks in District 9 Senate Race

#4: Sparks fly in Bedford Town Moderator Race

#3: 14 Horses Die in Barn Fire

#2: Monday, Dec. 31, 6 a.m.

#1: Monday, Dec. 31, 4 p.m.

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