Woonsocket Patch's Most Popular Stories Of 2012

The year is all but over, with a lot of newsworthy and interesting stories in the City on the Move - here's a list of the top 10 most popular pieces of news to appear on Woonsocket Patch:

Anthony Lescarbeau's death while fleeing Woonsocket Police - Attorney General Peter Kilmartin's office and the RI State Police are still investigating a fatal crash June 14 caused when Anthony Lescarbeau, 33, fled Woonsocket Police during a traffic stop. A claim filed by attorney Ronald J. Resmini on behalf of Lescarbeau's three minor children alleges police acted on misinformation in the pursuit.

2 - City Council OKs 13 Percent Tax Hike - The ill-fated initiative failed without the support of local legislators, who said the city needed to focus more on "shared sacrifice" before turning to taxpayers. The failure spurred the formation of the Woonsocket Budget Commission, tasked with mending the city's persistent deficit. Slow progress toward that mission, along with the need to pass all finance decisions through the body, has frustrated local Commission members Mayor Leo Fontaine and Council President John Ward. ""Every decision is being extended out," Fontaine said, "Every day that goes by is one less to solve the problem." 

3 - Mayor: 'Bankruptcy Is On The Table' See item #2.

4 - Today: A Powerball Winner and an Interfaith Prayer Breakfast The prospect of a mystery millionaire grabbed the attention of local readers Feb. 13. It was later claimed by an 81-year-old lady from Newport.

5 - Woonsocket Schools May Close In April Facing the $10 million deficit at the city's fiscal ground zero (see items 3 and 4) the Woonsocket School Department considered closing up shop early. (Back to item 2, folks).

6 - Police Arrest Four During Rathbun Street Raid The WPD has had a busy year, but this arrest drew the most attention from readers in 2012. Police raided a Rathbun Street apartment in March, seizing cocaine, marijuana and prescription pills, arresting three local men on drug charges. 

7 - Woonsocket Police: Drowning Victim Identified As Lorenzo Ajavon  Police identified the young man using fingerprints and a bus pass found in a knapsack among his belongings nearby his body at the corner of River Street and South Main Street. His death spurred much conversation about staying in touch with teen family members. 

8 - Woonsocket Police Arrest Woman For Threatening Teacher Through Pothier School Window The Newtown, CT shootings put everyone on edge, especially parents, police and teachers. Unfortunately, one local woman wasn't very good at assessing the signifcance of current events. Her "shooting" gesture to a local teacher landed her in police custody.

9 - Woonsocket Fire Department Battles Mendon Road Building Blaze An overnight fire at 385 Mendon Road drew firefighters to a medical office being renovated Oct. 2. There was a lot more work cut out for the contractors by morning.

10 -  Woonsocket Police broke up an alleged drug operation run from a home and business Feb. 4, arresting three city residents, seizing a handgun and more than $10,000 in narcotics.