Year in Review: Nazareth's Top 25 Stories from 2011

People flocked to Nazareth Patch in 2011 for stories that ranged from tragic (one too many fatal accidents on area roads and a 16-year-old boy losing his life while diving at Dutch Springs) to abnormal (a funnel cloud spotted near Nazareth and paranormal activity at ).

Here are 25 stories of events -- large and small -- that attracted lots of attention:

1.
Royersford teen was scuba diving with his father at the Lower Nazareth water adventure park.

2.
Two Nazareth men are in critical condition after an early-morning -- and fatal -- accident in Warren County, N.J., according to a report in The Morning Call.

3.
Potential twister seen at Routes 33 and 248 on Monday evening.

4.
Kelly Quier of Walnutport identified as person killed in Upper Nazareth Township crash.

5.
Hundreds of firefighters from three counties respond to blaze.

6.
Northampton County Paranormal reveals a piece of evidence from the paranormal investigation at the Newburg Inn.

7.
One person is reported killed in a collision between an RV and student transport van.

8.
About 16 hours after an early-morning fire broke out at Nicos Polymers in Plainfield Township, firefighters continued to battle hot spots.

9.
Joseph Marvelli, 54, allegedly punched Det. Fred Lahovski in the face and "attempted to gouge his eyes out," according to police.

10.
Ankit Patel, 29, had been reported missing since Jan. 21.

11.
Melissa Garrigan, 41, was killed Sunday morning in a crash on Route 33 in Plainfield Township.

12.
Tyler Merritt, 19, of Bushkill Township died almost two weeks after crashing his vehicle near the intersection of Cherry Hill and Young roads, according to a report in The Morning Call.

13.
Authorities have identified the driver of the vehicle that collided with a tractor-trailer Tuesday as Thomas J. Frezza of Nazareth, according to a story published in the Express-Times.

14.
The Bushkill Creek is normally peaceful and calm, but Hurricane Irene quickly changed the creek's demeanor in less than 24 hours.

15.
According to witnesses, Shawnalai Werkheiser, 22, was traveling at a high rate of speed before the one-vehicle crash in Plainfield Township.

16.
The Rottweiler/pitbull/St. Bernard mix was shot dead after he escaped from a borough kennel and returned to the neighborhood where he was involved in a dog fight earlier in the day.

17.
Kewdy Andre Santa-Mella, 18, is accused of robbing another student of $120.

18.
Pennsylvania State Police are headed to Nazareth's headquarters to secure the car.

19.
News reports indicate a woman was taken to the hospital.

20.
Resident tells police the fire started after he mowed the lawn.

21.
Nazareth Borough Council approves the use of Center Square for a farmer’s market.

22.
Panera Bread representatives approach the Lower Nazareth Planning Commission about the plan.

23.
Maher, 61, a certified public accountant, was well-known as a spending hawk and fiscal watchdog.

24.
Kimberly Bush, of S. Whitfield Street, told police she had consumed four Xanax and three alcoholic beverages when the text message was sent.

25.
The following information was supplied by Colonial Regional Police. It does not indicate a conviction.