Ridgewood's Most Read Stories of 2011

Patch readers clicked on stories about crime, politics, schools and local events this year. From details of the Valley Hospital showdown, intense storm coverage and the tragic loss of a child, these are the ten most read stories of 2011.

• "I'm very concerned that a council friendly to Valley comes back and in the future resurrects it. I think that's a risk we want to protect against." – Concerned Residents of Ridgewood Chairman Pete McKenna

It was nowhere near the most popular story of the year, but it may be the most important in terms of lasting impact in Ridgewood. The decision rendered on Nov. 29 could become the current council's legacy. Only time will tell if it's the right one.

At the last second of a nearly five year process, . The appeal fell on deaf ears and the council voted unanimously to kill an ordinance that would have allowed for a massive expansion.

– who said construction issues, safety concerns, impacts and problems would result should 'Renewal' go through – rejoiced and sang the praises of the council.

Hospital expansion in today's competitive healthcare climate. If it can't modernize it could soon resemble former competitors, facilities that have closed in the last decade.

what will happen next in the process. Valley may come back to the drawing board with another proposal, one the council says needs to be scaled down. But the hospital could also initiate a legal fight against the decision. Whatever the case, while Valley's renewal efforts remain dormant for now, don't expect that to remain for long.

• "It was real loud. It didn't even sound like a car crash. It sounded like an explosion." – Witness Andrew Basso said of the September accident

 in her vehicle when she struck a minivan full of children waiting at the light of E. Ridgewood Ave. and S. Pleasant Ave. 

Six occupants of the minivan – which included four children – were taken to Hackensack University Medical Center with injuries ranging from head and chest trauma, to bloody noses and headaches. Two of the children were unhurt, the police report stated.

All occupants of the minivan were able to remove themselves from the vehicle, though the driver and passenger needed to be extricated by emergency personnel.

• "There's a lot of power out, probably 95 percent. Public Service is telling people [it will be restored] Monday." – Ridgewood Mayor Keith Killion. Power came on about a week after initially projected, infuriating many residents

Ridgewood was  that officials called the worst in a century. The damage ripped out hundreds of trees, closed numerous streets, wiped out power to 95 percent of the village and hampered leaf collection efforts that extend into the new year.

The village also suffered from a communications breakdown, which led to heated  over who exactly is in charge. Commenters gathered everything but the pitchfork, complaining for weeks about the village's cleanup effort and what they felt was a lack of accountability from the village manager.

• "He had marks all over his back but he was conscious, though dazed." – Witness who saw 17-year-old boy get hit on Grove St.

A Ridgewood man  on Grove St. in which a teenage boy was struck with such force that his shoes were found 40 feet away. Police arrested Matthew Cermack, 21, in the pedestrian strike. Witnesses said the driver hit the 17-year-old and sped off toward Paramus in a Mazda.

The teen, who was believed to be wearing headphones while jogging, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

• “The abuse of these substances crosses a diverse group of kids at all levels of the socioeconomic spectrum. The problem is so prevalent that any parent [who] does not attend puts their child at risk.” – RHS Principal Jack Lorenz

The RHS principal was a big news generator in 2011. Lorenz created village-wide conversation when he outright said Ridgewood has a lot of work it needs to do in getting a handle on substance abuse and drinking among students.

A forum was held a few days after the exclusive interview with Patch, and panelists said they need to be more involved and nosy to prevent dangerous behavior.

Parents and concerned residents took to the digital and physical forums, debating the age-old question: "is something wrong with our kids?" or "kids will be kids; this happens everywhere."

• "...A pattern of degradation and belittlement that is not at all appropriate in light of the exemplary manner in which Mr. Lorenz has led the Ridgewood High School as principal."  – Douglas Ortelere, attorney for Jack Lorenz

We broke the story in early September that RHS Principal , citing serious philosophical and personal differences with Ridgewood's top administrators.

Lorenz claimed in a letter penned by his attorney that Cottage Place had professionally damaged Lorenz with inaccurate and harsh performance reviews and cited a grievance relating to a family member involved in a civil suit brought by a former student that .

The principal ; the two  on an interim basis. 

• "Actions have consequences. We hope (after going through the program) Ms. Wei will become a better person and show kindness to people." – Clementi family

Tyler Clementi's suicide . His dormmate Molly Wei took a plea deal to , the man accused of  and cyber bullying that many speculate led to Clementi's suicide.

 and could face up to a decade of prison or even deportation to India. Clementi's family recently spoke to national media, with mother Jane Clementi admitting  when he revealed he was gay.

near the Ho-Ho-Kus border certainly grabbed readers' attention. Kamila Chase, 36, of Flemington, NJ was arrested for allegedly soliciting prostitution. The business – purporting to provide 'massages' and 'tattoo removal' – was closed. Others were eyed but never charged in the October takedown.

Neighbors of the "parlor" complained clientele came by at strange hours and the parking lot was often mysteriously full on Sunday evenings. After a lenghty investigation conducted by the RPD and Bergen County Prosecutor's office, authorities descended on Oct. 11.

• "What helped us a lot was the past experience with Floyd. We were prepared this time. Whatever we could stop, we stopped." – Mayor Keith Killion

 and left a devastating impact in late August with Irene. Twenty-five residents had to be evacuated from rising water by the fire department, , people swam in sewage water, power was out and businesses ran out of water.

 around $1.5 million, officials say. The village has needed to,  and is working to . Irene proves a constant reminder for the dangers of living in flood zones. Our fourth, fifth and sixth most read stories were all Hurricane Irene-related, but they've been consolidated here into one item.

• “It’s a tragic loss for this community. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this terrible loss.” – Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward

The death of six-year-old Kelly Cregan, who was killed when an au pair crossed a driveway and fatally struck her in November, was unquestionably the saddest story we reported in 2011. The driver of the vehicle,  in what police say was simply a tragic accident.

The  mourned the loss of Cregan, a bright young girl who loved to dance and play soccer. Fundraisers were set up to help the family in their time of grief.

The original story breaking the tragic death was the most read article in 2011 and the two additional follow-ups were the second and third most widely read stories published on Ridgewood Patch this year.