Plainfield Year in Review: Editor's Picks
A look back at the year that was in Plainfield.
The numbers don't lie; Patch data tells us which stories were the most read of 2012.
But forget about all that. Today, I'm sharing a roundup of my picks for important stories of 2012. They might not have created the biggest splash, but, for various reasons, I decided they were big news in Plainfield.
- 22 Years Later: Looking Back on the Plainfield Tornado: It wasn't a "big" anniversary, like the 15th or the 20th, but on Aug. 28, 2012, we took a look back at a Plainfield-area tragedy. The killer storm put tiny Plainfield on the map and, in many ways, contributed to what the town is today.
- New Renwick Road Bridge Opens with Fanfare/Village Hosts Groundbreaking for Pedestrian Bridge Project: Both of these projects were years in the making — and now they're a reality. The Renwick Road Bridge was recently completed, and work is well under way on the Lockport Street pedestrian bridge project.
- Former Plainfield High School Principal Named Associate Superintendent: Six years after he left his post at PHS, Lane Abrell is back — and he'll be the district's top administrator after Supt. John Harper retires.
- 'They Had a Beautiful Life:' Vigil Held for Teens Killed in Crash: Plainfield saw a lot of heartbreak in 2012, but nothing moved me as much as the amazing strength and love shown by the families of three teens who died in a car accident last June.
- Mom’s Petition Opposes Rifles in Plainfield Schools: Community members — including one particularly vocal mom — spoke up in August after Police Chief John Konopek unveiled a proposal to allow school resource officers to store their long guns on District 202 high school campuses. In the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, this issue is once again a topic of conversation among Plainfield parents.
What were your top story picks for 2012? Tell us in the comments.
RELATED:
The Top 10 of 2012: Plainfield Patch's Most-Read Stories of the Year
Plainfield Year in Review: The Stories That Touched Our Hearts in 2012
Plainfield Year in Review: Kids Make the News