The 10 Most Read Stories of 2012

The biggest news story of the year broke early in 2012, as the Board of Education announced that Kirdahy and Westbrook Elementary Schools would be closing in June. The decision affected hundreds of West islip families, and the impact is still being felt almost a year later.  

West Islip Teen Hit by Car Fighting For His Life

Shock waves and grief were felt around the hamlet as the community learned of Thomas Labetti, the 15-year-old West Islip student who was struck by an SUV while riding his bike in September. Though sympathy and prayers came pouring in for Labetti and his family, Thomas tragically passed away on September 27. A memorial fund for Tommy has been established.

Police: West Islip Man Killed in Boat Crash in Great South Bay

Tragedy struck in June when Christopher Mannino, 39, one of five people aboard a 1967 38-foot Hatteras, was struck by a 25-foot skater off Captree Island.

Mannino was thrown into the water and was missing until a police dive team officer recovered his body hours later.

Brian Andreski, 26, of Dix Hills, the operator of the Skater boat was charged with boating while intoxicated (BWI) following the crash under the Robert Moses Causeway. In December, he plead guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and manslughter.

Islip Issues Mandatory Evacuation Order For Cat 1 Storm Surge Zones

As Hurricane Sandy approached, residents South of Montauk were advised to evacuate. As the South Shore flooded, it was hard to imagine just how bad the damage would be.

Atlantic Auto Issues Statement Addressing Kidney Donor's Claims

Atlantic Automotive Group, whose employee is being accused of firing Deborah Stevens after she donated her kidney to help her ailing boss, issued a statement addressing the allegations. In October, a State investigative panel sided with Stevens.

Sandy Ravages Parts of West Islip

West Islip residents awoke on the morning of Oct. 29 to assess the damage from Hurricane Sandy. Many parts of West Islip were without power, and those living south of Montauk Highway were facing high flood waters.

Police: West Islip Man Posed As A Federal Agent

Shaun Coppola, 24, reportedly activated a strobe light as he attempted to pull over a motorist on Fifth and Brook Avenues on Feb. 29. According to police, Coppola pulled alongside the victim's car at a traffic light, saying he was a federal agent.

Coppola, who police say drove a Jeep Cherokee, reportedly fled when the driver asked him for identification.

Thousands of West Islip residents were left in the dark, some for more than a week, following Sandy's arrival.

FBI Raids Home of West Islip Man Charged with Defrauding Producers of Broadway Show

FBI agents raided the waterfront home of a West Islip man in October following accusations that he orchestrated an elaborate scheme featuring fabricated investors to fund the ill-fated Broadway show "Rebecca."

Mark Hotton, 46, who the Huffington Post describes as a "former stockbroker," faces several federal charges stemming from the fraud accusations, as well as another money laundering case filed by prosecutors on Long Island.

, of Grello Pediatrics in West Islip, passed away on September 3 following a long battle with cancer. There came an outpouring of sympathy and support for the Grello family from former patients and grateful parents.