Year in Review: Long Branch-Eatontown Patch's Top 5 Stories of the Year

It's New Year's Eve, and I thought this would be the perfect time to look back at the top five stories from 2012 from Long Branch-Eatontown Patch.

These stories are listed based upon the number of page views they received, and some have been lumped together because they concern the same subject matter.

Hurricane Sandy hits the Long Branch-Eatontown Area

The top three stories, in terms of page views, this year were all about Hurricane Sandy. While the Long Branch-Eatontown area was not as badly affected as some others, Long Branch was still significantly damaged when several homes were flooded and a portion of the city's boardwalk was destroyed. This was not only the biggest story for my Patch this year; it was the biggest story in the state.

This story was equal parts tragic and controversial, and that led to a lot of comments and page views. I remember piecing this one together as more and more details came out, and updating as the day progressed. It's one of the things I enjoy most about Patch, because it allows to update a story the second I get more information.

The Brighton Avenue Fire

An absolutely huge story that, in my opinion, was Long Branch-Eatontown Patch at its best. What started out as a tragedy, turned into an outpouring of relief, as Long Branch residents began to donate and set up fundraisers for the people who were displaced by this terrible fire.

The headline really says it all here. These two incidents happened within moments of each other, and is a reminder that summer at the Jersey Shore can sometimes lead to tragedy.

Pedestrian Struck by Van in West Long Branch Dies in Hospital

This is a recent story that also involves tragic circumstances in West Long Branch. Another one where the headline really says it all.

Long Branch-Eatontown Patch editor Chris Sheldon would like to thank you to all the readers out there who chose Patch as their first and only stop for local news. We hope you continue to stay with us throughout 2013 as we continue to give you the best local coverage of the Long Branch-Eatontown area!