The 10 Most Read Stories of 2012

Here is a look at the most read local stories of the year:

10 — 

Nov. 4 — In Wyckoff, where it had been estimated that more than 3,000 families were still without power a week after Hurricane Sandy tore through the Tri-State area, the township's mayor voiced his lingering frustration with the response of utility companies.

"This is outrageous," Wyckoff Mayor Chris DePhillips said. "You can't not have crews here when people are freezing in their homes."

9 — 

July 27 — A Wyckoff woman was arrested on charges she allegedly lured an ex-boyfriend to a vacant schoolyard where a group of men beat him bloody with a bat and a pipe before robbing him, Wyckoff Police said.

Margaux Tocci was charged with robbery and theft by being armed with deadly weapons, by aiding suspects and luring the victim to the scene of the crime, and providing transportation from the scene for the suspects.

Wyckoff Police quickly arrested three men in connection with this case, which received national news coverage.

8 — 'Housewives' Spoilers Ahead: Guess Who Aren't Speaking Since Filming Wrapped

Aug. 29 — The widespread popularity of New Jersey's infamous hosuewives led geographically diverse audience to the pages of Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes Patch. Consequently, a number of Real Housewives of New Jersey-related articles made it into the long list of the year's most read stories.

Behind the scenes familial drama story piqued readers' interest in this particular RHoNJ story.

7 — 

Dec. 11 — Vandals defaced the Wyckoff home of a former committee candidate and local teacher, as well as the cars of a pair of township residents during a party one early December night night.

Eileen Avia, a Voorhis Avenue resident, was hosting a get together for about 20 supporters of her erstwhile campaign, she said, when someone spray painted her garage door and the vinyl siding on two sides of her home with cruel slurs.

6 — Men Charged After Police Chase

May 31 — Two men led Wyckoff Police on a brief high-speed chase through town one morning before pulling into the driveway of a Crescent Avenue home and trying to lock officers out of the house, authorities said.

The car, which was traveling at 76 mph in a 35 mph zone, failed to stop for cops and a chase continued onto Crescent Avenue, where the vehicle pulled into a driveway. The driver then ran into the house, cops said, ignoring the commands of township police.

The men were charged with multiple offenses, including DWI, reckless driving.

5 — 'Real Housewives' Salon Expands to Swank New Franklin Lakes Location

Jan. 26 — Given a significant visibility boost by the Real Housewives brand, Victor Castro's Franklin Lakes salon stood out among a crowded field of hair salons in the Northwest Bergen County-area. 

4 — Teen Charged after Party Gone Wild

Sept. 20 — An underage drinking party that got out of hand one Saturday in September led to charges against one Wyckoff teen, according to township police.

3 — 

Jan. 3 — A 14-year-old Wyckoff resident was arrested after making "terroristic threats" against Ramapo High School, according to local police.

The girl was arrested after a Facebook post which stated that she was looking for individuals to contact her in order to make a terrorist attack against the high school, according to Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox.

2 — 

April 6 — Marco Cera, a father of two daughters and former Franklin Avenue Middle School principal, passed away earlier this year. 

Cera, 39, had served as principal at FAMS from 2008 to 2010 and was diagnosed with mesothelioma last August.

1 — Cops Arrest 4 Oakland Men in Connection with 'Bizarre' Tree Vandalism

Dec. 3 — Four Oakland men were arrested and charged with third degree criminal mischief following an incident last week in which a 25-foot tall, eight-inch diameter tree was cut down and logs were thrown through the window of a car, according to local police.

“This is without a doubt one of the most bizarre crimes we have seen in some time,” said Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox.

For more end of year coverage, check out the Top Photos of 2012.

Have a question or news tip for Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes Patch? Contact editor Joseph M. Gerace at Joseph.Gerace@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox every morning, sign up for our daily newsletter.