From storms to earthquakes, police chases to political disputes, here are some of the many stories covered by Patch in Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes in 2011:

January

The year began with Wyckoff's annual reorganization meeting, where Kevin Rooney was named mayor, Mike Rose was chosen as the Fire Department's new chief and other officials were appointed to their positions on the township's various boards.

The Wyckoff Zoning Board has been hearing testimony about the Christian Health Care Center's proposed 258-unit Vista expansion at their meetings throughout the year.

Meanwhile, the Planning Board has been hearing Inserra Supermarkets' application to replace the old A&P and strip mall on Wyckoff and Greenwood Avenues with a new ShopRite.

The Ramapo boys fencing team won their district championship in January.

February

Data released from the 2010 census revealed that the Hispanic or Latino population had doubled over the past 10 years to 4.4 percent of the township's approximately 17,000 residents.

A Bergen County Superior Court jury found an Ogdensburg man guilty of one count of attempting to disarm a firearm from a law enforcement officer, and also guilty of aggravated assault upon a police officer for trying to disarm Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox in a scuffle after the man had a car accident in 2008.

RIH officials decided to discontinue three of the district's University Programs—Communications, Theater and Information Technology—due to a lack of interest.

The Ramapo boys fencing team went on to win the state championship in February.

The Wyckoff Library closed for renovations at the end of the month and opened its current temporary location at the Wyckoff Shopping Center in March.

March

Interim Superintendent Richard Kuder accepted the permanent superintendent position for Wyckoff's schools. Kuder is the former principal of Eisenhower Middle School.

The Wyckoff Environmental Commission started its "Green Team" this month, with the goal of promoting responsible environmental practices in the township.

April

The Wyckoff Township Committee gave approval for the Parks and Recreation Foundation's plan to raise money for the renovation of Memorial and Pulis Fields despite protests from a neighboring condominium association.

A Wyckoff man won bought a Powerball ticket at the Quik Mart and won $1 million.

Four men robbed Hartgers Jewelers of more than $1 million worth of merchandise and led area police on a high speed chase, according to Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox. The chase ended when the men crashed into a Hawthorne Police car.

The Wyckoff Township Committee approved a $17,071,809 budget for 2011, which raised taxes by $65.24 for the average township homeowner.

FLOW area voters approved a $49 million budget for the Ramapo-Indian Hills district. Franklin Lakes voters also approved a $27.6 million budget for their K-8 district and Wyckoff approved a 35.9 million budget for theirs.

May

Officials warned Eisenhower Middle School parents that some of the school's students had been "sexting" inappropriate images. Wyckoff Police gave the students a deadline to delete the photos and no students were punished.

After two members of the Franklin Lakes Planning Board recused themselves from an application, objecting attorney Harold Cook sued the board on behalf of his client for allegedly violating the state's Open Public Meeting Act.

Cook, who was also the Wyckoff Zoning Board's attorney, was accused of judicial misconduct for issues unrelated to the Franklin Lakes suit. He later stepped down from his position on the Zoning Board.

Both Franklin Lakes and Wyckoff celebrated Memorial Day in May.

June

The Department of Environmental Protection issued Ridgewood Water a violation for unacceptable levels of arsenic, though Ridgewood Water officials said there was no health concern.

Franklin Lakes dedicated its 147-acre nature preserve around the former Haledon Reservoir.

Ramapo and Indian Hills students graduated and Patch ran a gallery of some of the best photos.

Franklin Lakes residents complained that bears were passing through their yards and eating neighbors' trash.

July

The Ramapo-Indian Hills and Wyckoff school districts both settled on new contracts with their teachers.

Ramapo student Jonathan Carcione was voted the state boys tennis player of the year.

A call to Wyckoff Police from a man claiming to have killed four people turned out to be a hoax. Police surrounded a house for hours before they found it was unoccupied. The home's owner is an Internet security expert who has been the target of pranks before.

August

Franklin Lakes and Wyckoff residents felt tremors from an earthquake that hit Virginia and then Hurricane Irene hit just days later.

President Barack Obama declared New Jersey a major disaster area after the storm.

September

Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes residents remembered their lost family and friends on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded St. Elizabeth School with a Blue Ribbon, a prize given to schools with a narrowing achievement gap.

Residents who live near Wyckoff's Rambaut Lake disputed a claim from the township that they were responsible for a dam which holds the lake.

The Wyckoff Library hired a new director after a search that lasted almost a year.

October

A bad case of head lice swept through local schools this fall.

An early snowstorm damaged trees and powerlines around the area. Thousands of residents lost power and heat. Roads were blocked and schools were closed for days. Franklin Lakes postponed Halloween and Wyckoff canceled the holiday.

November

Celebrity judge Heidi Klum chose a Wyckoff boy as the winner of Patch's Halloween costume contest out of competitors from around the country.

Wyckoff voters elect Doug Christie and reelect Brian Scanlan to the Wyckoff Township Committee.

Former State Senator Henry McNamara objected to Aldo Cascio's plan to move Aldo's Italian Restaurant to the former location of the Wyckoff Bakery. Cascio's application is currently being heard by the Wyckoff Planning Board.

Kids Stuff announced it would be closing after 31 years in Wyckoff. The store's owners plan to open a new store in the same location.

December

A pair of masked gunmen robbed the Franklin Lakes GameStop of about $900 and several video game systems. The men bound the store's employees with duct tape and escaped with the goods.

The Wyckoff Township Committee honored the local Raiders football team for winning their league Super Bowl.

Wyckoff Police arrested a Hoboken man for firing a gun in a wooded area between Russell Avenue and Lydia Lane. The man's brother was filming him firing the gun at trees.