Wantagh-Seaford's Most-Read Stories of 2016

It's safe to say that 2016 was quite a year. Celebrity deaths and an election like no other dominated the national headlines. But things were still busy in Wantagh and Seaford. Here's the stories that Patch readers like you were most interested in.

10. Three Caught in the Act of Burglarizing Seaford Home: In August, police received a call for a burglary in progress in Seaford. When they arrived, they found three men in the backyard of the home and arrested them.

9. May Tries to Lure 10-Year-Old Girls Into Car: In March, a man in a van tried to lure 10-year-old girls who were walking on Briard Street in Wantagh into his van. The girls ran away and were unharmed.

8. Teacher's Aide Shook Disabled Girl: In January, a teacher's aid at a school in Seaford was accused of "violently" shaking a disabled girl by the girl's mother. The mother says she first noticed that her daughter came home with redness and swelling on her face, which prompted her to ask the school to see security footage.

7. Man Overdoses on Fentanyl While at Movies With His Tow Kids: In November, a 36-year-old man was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child after he overdosed on fentanyl at Seaford Cinemas, Nassau Police said.

6. Police Bust Massive Heroin Trafficking Operation: In March, police shut down a heroin distribution ring that was operating in Merrick, Massapequa, Seaford, and Wantagh. Police seized $775,000 worth of heroin, nearly three kilos of cocaine and other drugs and paraphernalia. Seven people from the area were arrested.

5. Best Places to Live on Long Island: In July, readers were excited to see that Niche.com had released its list of the best places to live in New York. Did Wantagh and Seaford make the list? Unfortunately not.

4. Best Teachers on Long Island: Much like No. 5, this story was another list released by Niche.com. Though readers were very interested in the story, it was another disappointment: Wantagh and Seaford didn't make the list.

3. Northern Lights Visible Above Long Island: In March, Long Islanders had a rare opportunity to try to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, and readers wanted to know how and when they could.

2. Contractor Burglarizes Several Homes: In February, a couple from Seaford was arrested and charged with a string of burgalries that had been going back months. According to police, a stole items from homes while performing home improvements. His wife, police said, sold some of the items for cash.

1. Five Hospitalized After Crash on Sunrise Highway: In March, five young people were hospitalized after a car crash on Sunrise Highway. According to police, a 22-year-old man was driving a 2005 Nissan east on Sunrise Highway when an argument ensued with a 19-year-old passenger. The passenger began to strike the driver, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and strike a utility pole, police said. The passenger was charged with second degree reckless endangerment.