Fort Lee Patch's 10 Most-Read Stories of 2011

Fort Lee Patch launched on Dec. 15, 2010 with little fanfare, and readership has grown steadily ever since. It may therefore come as little surprise that our most-read stories for 2011, determined by an analysis of traffic numbers to the site, were mostly from the second half of the year, although that's not the case in every instance.

This week we'll take a look at the year in review in local news, month-by-month, but for now, here's a rundown of not necessarily the best, most important or most interesting local stories of 2011, but rather those read by the most people:

Number Ten (A tie!):

From the Culinary Institute to Fort Lee’s Upper Main Street

Fort Lee Patch's Ann Piccirillo posed the question: if Fort Lee can’t retain established businesses, how can it attract new ones? This was the story of one worth saving.

And ...

Palisades Empire: The Gangs of Fort Lee

Gangsters in Fort Lee history.

Number Nine:

Fort Lee Storm Damage: Fallen Trees, Power Outages, Flooded Basements and Fort Lee In Photos: Irene's Aftermath

Hurricane Irene, Sunday, Aug. 28.

The borough's emergency operations center closed as the town was left to cleanup in the wake of Irene.

Number Eight

Everything Must Go: Local Thrift Shop to Close After Seven Years

The Second Look Shoppe was offering 75 percent off everything in its inventory before it was forced to close at the end of June.

Number Seven

Fort Lee Man Died From Trip And Fall, Not Hit And Run, Police Say

Fort Lee Police said a medical examiner’s report indicated the elderly victim was not hit by a car as they previously thought.

Number Six

School Board Tables Appointment of Engravalle as Superintendent

Questions raised about Assistant Superintendent's readiness and suitability to run the district prompted a close vote in favor of tabling the resolution.

Number Five

Elderly Man Seriously Injured in Suspected Hit-And-Run

Police ask anyone with information about the incident at Linwood Ave. and Bridge Plaza North Monday to contact the FLPD.

Number Four

9/11 Stories: Fort Lee Dentist Keeps Son's Spirit Alive

Dr. Robert Zampieri remembers his son, Robert Alan Zampieri.

Number Three

9W Water Main Break Leaves Part Of Fort Lee With Little Or No Water

The 30-inch main burst in Englewood Cliffs, affecting residents and businesses along Fort Lee's northern border, police said. Residents were urged to use water sparingly though some water pressure had been restored.

Number Two

Three Arrested on Counterfeit Currency, Forgery Charges

Fort Lee Police say they had to chase down one man on foot after he tried to pay for bagels with a fake $100 bill.

Number One

Man Rescued After Car Crashes Into Condominium Pool

Officials said they didn't know at the time what caused the crash into a pool on Center Ave., but said the victim was an elderly male.