2015 in Review:Teacher Accused of Inappropriate Contact; Group Wants to Host Syrian Refugees; New Cell Tower; New Gas Station

As 2015 comes to a close, we take a look back at some of the highlights from the past year.

Some residents fought against a crematorium, a cell tower on Codfish Hill, a gas station in Stony Hill, a new police station. Others tried to help their fellow man by donating to the homeless locally, or working to bring in Syrian refugees globally.

In the political arena, the first selectman was re-elected to his fourth consecutive term, a resident tried to get the tax collector ousted and the Town worked with the Economic Development Committee to revitalize downtown.

In police news, voters approved a $13.5M police station, a former Berry School teacher was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with three minors, a fire killed a Bethel man, a Bethel man was caught with 31 bags of marijuana at his probation hearing and a resident was struck by a car at the downtown tree lighting.

We said goodbye to a few local businesses including Bethel Cycle, Parma, business owners who retired, including Hilda DeLucia, Executive Director of the Teen Center and John and Lynn Holbrook, owners of Holbrook Farm.

We welcomed Bethel Fitness and Wellness on Greenwood Avenue and Meeting House Pub on Route 6.

And on a personal note, I shared my very private health crisis in a very public way.

Here are the top stories in Bethel for 2015.

Bethel, CT Group’s Steps to Take in Syrian Refugees Scrutinized After Paris Attacks

[WATCH] Bethel Election 2015: Matt Knickerbocker’s Post-Election Speech

Town of Bethel, EDC Announce ‘Bethel Forward’ Initiative to Revitalize Downtown

Bethel House Fire Claims the Life of Male Occupant

Resident Struck by Car on Greenwood Ave. at Downtown Tree Lighting

Resident Creates Petition to Oust Tax Assessor, Assessor Responds

Bethel Man Caught With 31 Bags of Marijuana at Probation Meeting

Breast Cancer Awareness: Behind the Pink Ribbons, A Personal Survival Story

Father of Danbury Teen Accused of Running Ponzi Scheme Speaks Out

Former Bethel Teacher Accused of Sexually Assaulting 3 Boys Enters Plea

Bethel Police Station Voting Results Released

Codfish Hill Cell Tower Will Be Built Despite Resident Complaints

New Gas Station Will Open at Stony Hill Four Corners

At Long Last, Bethel Breaks Ground on Eureka Water Tank

Bethel Cycle to Close After 15 Years in Business

Crematorium Applicant Files Lawsuits Against Bethel Planning and Zoning

New Gym Offers Fresh Approach to Fitness Training

Bethel Teen Center Director Stepping Down

Fresh, Locally Grown Veggies Available at Holbrook Farm at Discounted Prices

Bethel Woman Among Five Facing Drug Charges in Danbury Bust

WATCH: Bobcats Caught on Video in Bethel

Cops: Former Bethel Teacher Had Inappropriate Contact With 3 Minors

Upcoming Business After Hours Meeting in Bethel

[Updated - Resolved]: Silver Alert Issued for Missing Bethel Teen