Top Stories of 2013

With 2013 nearly in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take a look back at the year’s top stories.

Here’s Patch’s list of some of the big stories that took place in Forest Hills this year. If you believe that we’ve missed a major one, please let us know in the comment section.

1. Two firms are selected to lead a design and feasibility study for QueensWay, a 55-acre project that involves transforming 3.5 miles of abandoned railroad in Forest Hills into a park, where there will be space for biking, walking and jogging, but also public art, food events and recreational activities, such as yoga.

2. A number of businesses open, such as VapeNY and Twist and Smash'd, while many others close, including Laytner's and Garcia's Mexican Cafe, in the community. The Midway Theater's building is purchased for $20.5 million. And one new health care center opens in Rego Park, while another known as ProHealth is expected to debut in the new year on Austin Street.

3. Anthony Weiner, former U.S. Rep. for Forest Hills, attempts a comeback and, for a while, performs well in the mayoral election polls. But it is revealed that he continued to have an online relationship under the name "Carlos Danger" with a woman following his resignation in 2012 amid a sexting scandal. Bill de Blasio goes on to defeat Joe Lhota in the general election. And Melinda Katz, former councilwoman and state assemblywoman for Forest Hills, wins the Queens borough president's race.

4. Police arrest several Queens legislators, including Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, and state Sen. Malcolm Smith, D-Jamaica, for their alleged role in a bribery scheme to rig the mayoral election by getting Smith on the GOP ballot.

5. The Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, which once hosted concerts by Bob Dylan and The Beatles, announces that it will hold its first concert in 15 years. In August, Mumford & Sons plays the venue. The stadium will also hold another 18 shows over a period of two years.