From tragedies to unforgettable storms, 2012 was a momentous year in Farmington and while residents faced some huge challenges, at the end of each one were heroes, first responders and average residents doing what they could to help each other.
Here are the top 10 stories of 2012:
1. A Look at the Mormon Temple Plans, Mormons Plan Temple in Farmington, Mormon Official: Temple Would be a 'Place for Families', Mormon Temple Approved Discussion around the approval of the Mormon Temple, scheduled to break ground in the spring of 2013, was the biggest story of 2012.
2. [Update] Farmington Man Dies in One-Car Crash A one-car accident that took the life of a local man.
3. Pedestrian Hit on Route 4 is Farmington Teen [Update], Another sad story when it became clear that the teen killed getting off a bus on Route 4 was beloved FHS student Mateusz Maciulewski. Mateusz’ coach and friends gave us a glimpse into the life of the young man.
4. Police: Man Sexually Assaulted Girls at Winding Trails Farmington residents were shocked to learn a Devonwood man approached some teenage girls in the bathroom area and made inappropriate advances.
5. Farmington parents worried and a teen got arrested after he shot at a Winding Trails bus full of campers.
6. Potential solutions to the problems of Unionville Traffic dominated conversation in Farmington for months and brought many residents out to take a stand – including the powerful Save the Ville group.
7. Locals were relieved to learn the Griffin family would stay on as managers in the Ryan Pharmacy/Walgreens merger in Unionville.
8. Mountain Lion Sighted Near UConn Health Center - Or Not Do mountain lions roam Farmington? The animal control officer, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and other officials say no. But some residents believe they do.
9. It was a scary time for Farmington when the helicopter carrying well-known local and State Rep. Bill Wadsworth and fiancée Irene Van crashed. Thankfully, they’re recovering.
10. Cafeteria Services to be Outsourced The Board of Education’s decision to hire an outside vendor to run the school district’s cafeterias was controversial and many are still undecided on whether it was the right choice.
