2014 Year in Review: Top 10 Stories on Newtown Patch

2014 Year in Review: Top 10 Stories on Newtown Patch.

Click on the links to read more.

#1) Newtown Drivers Use Caution: Moose are on the Loose!

• This was the most read story of 2014. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection cautioned drivers to be on the lookout across the state for moose during mating season last September.

#2) Star Wars Fan Petitions CEO of Disney to Make Slain Sandy Hook Teacher a Jedi Knight

• A Florida man started a campaign on Change.org to make slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Rachel D’Avino a Jedi Knight.

#3) Remembering Sandy Hook Victims 2 Years Later

• Short biographies on the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and the charities their families have created in their honor.

#4) Large Black Dog Who May Have Just Had Puppies Found in Newtown

• A large black female dog was seen wandering on Hattertown Road in Newtown and she may have just had puppies.

#5) Newtown ‘Gentle Giant,’ Coach Kenny, Will Live On in Hearts of Special Needs Kids

• Newtown Hoopsters’ Coach Kenny Ayles passed away on Aug. 21 but his legacy lives on.

#6) Newtown Has 16th Best High School in CT, U.S. News Says

• U.S News & World Report just released its 2014 high school rankings, and districts from the greater Hartford area and Fairfield County grabbed most of the top ranked spots across the state.

#7) Jr. Newtown Action Alliance Speaks Out Against Urban Outfitters Sale of Blood Stained Kent State Sweatshirt

• Newtown Jr. Action Alliance is encouraging young people to use their voice to speak out about Urban Outfitters’ decision to sell the shirt.

#8) Sandy Hook Family Awoken by Black Bear Rummaging Through Trash

• A black bear was seen last May in the Shady Rest neighborhood of Sandy Hook.

#9) Newtown Man Robert Hoagland Who Has Been Missing for More Than a Year Possibly Sighted in South Carolina

• Robert Hoagland has been missing since July 2013.

#10) Newtown Private Retreat to be Sold to Highest Bidder on August 12

• The luxurious Newtown estate, located at 13 Silver City Road, will be sold to the highest bidder on auction day, August 12, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

Have a news tip? Email wendy.mitchell@ patch.com.

Click here to sign up for our newsletter.

Moose photo by Tony Mathews