Top Five Stories of 2011

As 2011 comes to a close, Patch is looking back at the year's coverage. While "top stories" don't always include the most positives articles, here is a look at this year's most read stories:

This column, written following an incident in Northeast Philadelphia, outlines what can happen when city police officers do not have a firm grasp of local laws. Included is an audio clip of the incident. 

This story details the stabbing death of a 27-year-old school teacher and resident of the Venice Lofts. The incident, that was originally believed to be a homicide, was ruled a suicide.

Although Roxborough High School saw many successes for Roxborough High School -increased test scores, higher graduation rates and removal from the school district's persistently dangerous list - it was not without tragedy. This story is about Rashawn Anderson, an 18-year-old senior at the school, who was shot to death in Hunting Park.

This fall a 19-year-old prisoner escaped in Andorra causing some schools to increase security and others to lockdown. After a six hour manhunt, the escapee was apprehended in Germantown.

This summer saw an earthquake and hurricane within days of each other. Patch's number five story documents, in pictures, how Manayunk was affected by, prepared for and handled Irene. Some shoped locked up while others hosted parties and offered outdoor seating.