Ten Most Read Stories of 2011

As New Milford Patch closes out its first full year we decided to take a look back at some of the most read stories over the last 12 months. Here's a rundown of those stories that attracted the most traffic. They may not necessarily represent the most newsworthy or most interesting local stories of 2011, but rather those most read by people.

It may come as no surprise that anything "flood" captured the attention of New Milford readers. And since a picture paints a thousand words, it was the photo galleries of the floods that were most viewed.

Here's our top ten list: 

Number 10:

The Palm Sunday flood took everyone by surprise and provided little breathing room from the March flood. The New Milford and Oradell fire departments came out to evacuate residents from the flooded areas.

Number 9:

Until all 185 absentee ballots were counted, the race in New Milford was too close to call, but when all the votes were tallied, the Democratic slate swept to victory, changing the face of New Milford's council.

Number 8:

It wasn't until Irene blew out of town at the end of August that the water started rising, wreaking havoc to homes and fields in the low-lying areas. 

Number 7:

In early March, rain left the Hackensack River well above flood stage and many low-lying parts of town were hit hard by what was to be the first flood of 2011.

Number 6:

A look at the areas hit hardest by Irene through the eyes of a lens. Flooded fields, power outages, fallen tree limbs and flooded roads -- Patch takes readers on a pictoral journey to the places in town under water.

Number 5:  

A motorist called 911 upon seeing two males with firearms in the driveway of a New Bridge Road home. After heavily armed police officers performed a thorough check of the perimeter of the house and questioned the resident, it was determined that it was three juveniles with paint guns. 

Number 4:

Police Chief Frank Papapietro told Patch that approximately 200 New Milford residents were rescued from their homes as Irene flood waters rose to historic highs. 

Number 3:

Residents in flood prone areas of town were hit hard on Palm Sunday as water filled their homes and forced them to evacuate to higher ground. Homeowners on Columbia and Harvard Streets were affected as well as residents of Pine and Lenox Avenues across town.

Number 2:

New Milford Police arrested Jason Gaines, 33, of Ramsey, on charges in connection with the Sept. 29 robbery of four borough teens in which he had posed as a police officer when he stopped their vehicle.  

Number 1:

Residents filled the auditorium at NMHS to hear the presentation by the S. Hekemian Group regarding the United Water property development.