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Community Corner

Lemont Patch's Most-Read Stories of 2012

Here's a look back at the year that was in Lemont.

As 2012 comes to an end, we invite you to join us as we take a look back at a couple dozen of the most-read local stories in Lemont Patch this year.

  1. Two Lemont Teens Accused of Residential Burglary in Unincorporated Downers Grove: Christopher G. Forzley and Jacob G. Carpenter were charged with felony counts of burglary and residential burglary.
  2. Man Charged with Murder after Attack at Naperville Bar: Shaun Wild, a teacher at Spring Brook Elementary School, died of injuries sustained during a stabbing Saturday morning. Willie Hayes, a former Lemont High School student who attends North Central College was also seriously injured in the incident.
  3. Orange 13: New Vegas-Style Restaurant and Lounge Opens in Lemont: Restaurant owners said they were hoping to bring healthy world cuisine and a club vibe to Derby Plaza.
  4. Lemont Man Charged With Murder after Alleged Road Rage Punch: A Lemont man who was facing an aggravated battery case in connection with a June 2011 road rage incident saw the charges upped to murder after his alleged victim died.
  5. Prognosis Positive for Lemont Native Willie Hayes After Bar Attack: The North Central College senior was discharged from Edward Hospital on Monday after being stabbed early Saturday morning in a Naperville bar fight that killed his friend and former teammate, Shaun Wild.
  6. Body Found in Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve: A person found dead in the Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve appeared to have died of natural causes, according to a DuPage County Sheriff's spokeswoman. Authorities were called to the forest preserve after the body was found along railroad tracks near Bluff Road.
  7. Police Arrest Man Accused of Driving Truck into House, Leaving Kids Behind: Nerijus Miciulis, 42, turned himself in five days after he drove his truck into a Lemont house and fled the scene, police said.
  8. Goodwill to Open New Store in Lemont: Village officials confirmed that a 21,000 square-foot retail and donation center would open in mid-August in the former Sears Appliance and Hardware location at 1146 State St.
  9. Police Evacuate McDonald’s After Finding Live Grenades in Vehicle: Lemont Police evacuated the McDonald’s at 1152 State St. after discovering live grenades in a vehicle in the restaurant’s parking lot. George Crocker of New Lenox was held on $300,000 bond on weapons and drug charges.
  10. Business Closings: Slammers Pub and Grill, Salon Moda Leave Lemont: The restaurant, located at 1243 State St., and the salon, 12371 Derby Road, closed quietly in the end of January 2012.
  11. Police Search for Gunman in Lemont Road Rage Shooting: A 58-year-old victim was hospitalized for a gunshot wound to his abdomen following a shooting at 107th Street and Archer Avenue.
  12. Nickey V’s Pizzeria, Lemont Lanes Close: Nickey V's, 1015 State St., which also houses Lemont Lanes, closed its doors after only six months in operation.
  13. Mama D’s Temporarily Closed: The restaurant, located in the retail center at Archer Avenue and Derby Road, will likely move to a different location in Lemont, according to the owner.
  14. Lemont High School Teachers ‘Party Rock’ During Surprise Flash Mob: Dozens of teachers and administrators took over the Performing Arts Center stage during the sixth annual "Faculty Idol" competition.
  15. Tap House Grill to Open in Lemont: The restaurant chain was planning to open its seventh suburban location, replacing Slammers Pub and Grill in Lemont Village Square, 1243 State St.
  16. Old Quarry Student Struck by Vehicle Crossing 127th Street: The student was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to Lemont fire officials.
  17. Sex Offender Watch: A Map of Homes to Keep on Your Radar this Halloween: There are nine registered sex offenders listed as living in Lemont, according to the Illinois Sex Offender Registry. See what else Lemont Patch discovered about them.
  18. Lemont Police Search for Driver in Main Street Hit-and-Run: Police say the driver of a black Lexus fled after crashing into a guard rail and speed sign near Main and Fourth streets around 6:15 a.m.
  19. Tornado Sirens Shut Down After Malfunctioning: Lemont residents reported hearing sirens multiple times - and the malfunction came just two days after a severe storm ripped through the southwest suburbs, causing widespread damage and power outages.
  20. Lemont Police Contacted by Passenger in Hit-and-Run Case; Identity of Driver Still Unknown: The black 2007 Lexus that crashed on Main Street still had dealer plates. Police were contacted by an attorney who claimed his client was the passenger in the vehicle, but would not share the identity of the driver.
  21. Lemont Man Sentenced to 6 Months in Jail for Molesting 14-Year-Old Girl: Greg A. Voegtlin, 44, was convicted in May of repeatedly sexually abusing a teenager from 2003 to 2007.
  22. Letter to the Editor: Residents Ask District 113A to Hire Experienced, Not Entry-Level, Teachers: In an open letter to board members and administrators, more than 50 community members and parents signed an email asking the district to consider hiring experienced teachers at an entry-level salary.
  23. Ace Hardware to Open New Store in Lemont: The store planned to open in October at 1096 State St. at the site formerly occupied by True Value and The Swing.
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