Patch Picks: Top Stories So Far in 2012

We’ve reached the halfway point of 2012 and what a busy six months in news it’s been.

The unfolding scandal at the Cinnaminson Sewerage Authority caught readers’ attention in the first half of 2012, but other crime stories—especially those trending toward the unusual—ranked high as well. And somehow, a story from 2011 snuck in there.

Here are the 10 most-read stories on Cinnaminson Patch for the first half of 2012:

10. County Wants to Fix Riverton Road/Branch Pike Intersection

Called a “horrible” intersection, plans started in January to address Riverton Road and Branch Pike meeting point, the site of deadly accidents. The tenth most-read story on Cinnaminson Patch so far this year didn’t end there, as recently unveiled plans to install a roundabout at the site spurred even more debate. Originally published Jan. 24

9. Eighth Man Arrested in Sewerage Authority Theft Case

When police first arrested a slew of Cinnaminson Sewerage Authority employees for a major corruption scheme (see below), one suspect remained at large. Scott D. Mayes Jr., the nephew of the sewerage authority’s superintendent, turned himself in days later. Originally published Feb. 17

8. Palmyra Police: Cinnaminson Man Tried to Swallow Cocaine Bag

Readers took to the comments section to debate whether this story should have been published at all. For the record, it’s our policy to report arrest info as police release it. Originally published Feb. 21

7. Emotions Fire Up Over Brush Citations

Citations for brush sitting on Cinnaminson streets raised hackles in town and prompted a debate in the comments—are citations the only way to get people to obey pickup time frames? Originally published March 28

6. Cinnaminson's New Hibachi Grill Open for Business

The news that Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet would open on Route 130 was huge with readers—when it was first published in March 2011. The story just kept going and going, thanks to Facebook recommends and a robust comments section, and readership stayed high into this year. Originally published March 12, 2011

5. Police: 10 Juveniles Charged with Alcohol Possession on St. Paddy's Day

Underage drinking on an alcohol-heavy holiday caught readers’ attention, especially after police said a teen assaulted an officer and another ran off still in handcuffs. Originally published March 21

4. Police: Teenager Performed Lewd Act at Library

Readers didn’t take kindly to the report that a 17-year-old was found masturbating at the Cinnaminson library. Originally published Feb. 19

3. Police: Cinnaminson Man Arrested After Fight with Juvenile

A township man’s alleged fight with a 17-year-old gained notice and another debate about publishing police reports on Patch. Originally published May 3

2. Prosecutor: Corruption at Sewerage Authority Cost Taxpayers More Than $100,000

Until it was edged out this week, our most-read story so far this year is the arrest of several Cinnaminson Sewerage Authority employees for an alleged scheme that cost taxpayers a pretty penny. This was the first in our coverage, but we’ve since written about more arrests and charges, nepotism at the authority and much more. You can follow the entire story at our special topic page, Cinnaminson Sewerage Authority Scandal. Originally published Feb. 15

1. Updated: Sicklerville Woman Stabbed Another in Face, Neck in Wawa Lot

The news that a fight at Cinnaminson’s Wawa led to a box cutter stabbing stormed to our most-read piece in just one day, thanks in part to our parent company, AOL, picking up the story. While we know the basic details of the stabbing, suspect and victim, the incident remains under investigation and Patch will bring you updates as they come in. Originally published June 27

Thanks for reading Cinnaminson Patch and here’s to a newsy second half of 2012. If you ever have any story ideas or tips, please contact local editor Christina Paciolla, christina.paciolla@patch.com. Yours could be the next big Patch story.