Hurricane Sandy Topped 2012 in Local News

Most everyone agrees Hurricane Sandy was the top local news story of 2012: It's hard to top a story that impacted so many and has such long-range implications for the entire region.

Here's the list of the top 10 stories to impact residents of the Town of Oyster Bay in 2012. We'd like to know your thoughts on them, as well:

1. Hurricane Sandy: It struck in late October, a superstorm fueled by an off-shore system that combined to cripple Long Island. Thousands of trees were downed and power was lost to the vast majority of Long Islanders. When the skies cleared, a swath of devastation was left behind, particularly evident on the South Shore. The storm quickly led to a gas shortage. A week later, some lost power again when a nor’easter came through.

2. LIPA's Failure: Although related to the storm, LIPA's problems were deeper than just its inability to respond to the storm. Hearings are underway to determine how to fix the troubled utility.

3. Infant Found Buried: In this gruesome story, the body of an infant was found buried in a Farmingdale backyard. No one has been charged in the case, which remains under investigation.

4.Oyster Bay Boat Tragedy: Three children drowned when a boat carrying 27 people capsized and sank at a July 4 fireworks show in Oyster Bay. Harlie Treanor, 11, and Victoria Gaines, 7, both of Huntington, and David Aureliano of Kings Park, died. Police have not issued a final determination in the case.

5. Rusty Torres Arrested: The former Yankee was accused of sexual misconduct while employed as a batting instructor by the Town of Oyster Bay. The case remains in the courts.

6. Southern State Arrest: Police hunt down a man they say was responsible for the terrible crash on the Southern State Parkway in November, 2011, that left a Nassau Police Officer badly hurt.

7. Missing Swimmer Found: The strange story of Raymond Roth, who was reported missing off Jones Beach but later turned up safe. Police accused him of faking his own death. 

8. Syosset Teen Elected: Voters placed Joshua Lafazan on the Syosset School Board in the May election.

9. Beloved Nun Killed: Sister Jacqueline "Jackie" Walsh was struck and killed in a hit-and-run accident in July.

10. Bus Driver Charged in DWI: Frederick Flowers faces a battery of charges after police found he was drunk at the wheel of a school bus that crashed into a Syosset home.