Most-Read Basking Ridge Stories of December

Driver Extricated After Trapped for Hours in Crash

The response to a car that had veer I-78 at the Warren-Bernards border tied up traffic for hours when a female driver alone in her car had to be extricated by Liberty Corner Fire Co. She was flown to a hospital by a Medevac helicopter that had landed on the scene and later was reported to be in stable condition.

The utility company's president and commissioners from the state Board of Public Utilities heard mostly scathing criticism from Bernards officials and residents as well officials who had traveled from several counties to face JCP&L President Don Lynch as well as a panel of state Board of Public Utility Commissioners this week.

Armed Man Flees Crash, Caught After Manhunt, Prosecutor Says

A Flemington man was arrested on the property of Trump National Golf Club after state police and SWAT team members pursued him when he allegedly left the scene of a crash on I-78 Wednesday. He faces weapons charges in Hunterdon County, authorities said.

'It Wasn't Me,' Hoboken Man Named as Shooter Writes

Patch is one of the first news organizations to raise the flag that the wrong Lanza brother had been blamed for the shooting deaths of almost 30 people — including 20 children — in an elementary school in a small town in Connecticut.

Natural Foods Market Arrives in Basking Ridge

Dean's Natural Food Market opens at 25 Marketplace, carrying organic produce, offering a juice bar and more.

Urban Table Opens With 'Something for Everyone'

Just down the street from Dean's Natural Food Market, a new restaurant — new to Basking Ridge at least — opened with Urban Table, with an eclectic menu and full bar.

Jewelry Stolen in String of Bernards Break-Ins

Multiple break-ins in Basking Ridge, mostly in The Hills, have been reported in the past few months. The MO was a break-in and an apparent search for jewelry.

Basking Ridge held its annual Christmas Eve. caroling event on Monday, drawing crowds and well-wishers in snowflakes to continue a tradition that has spontaneously drawn out the community for decades.

Bernardsville Native's 'More Than Me' Foundation Wins $1 Million Grant

Katie Meyler, a 2000 graduate of Bernards High School and popular speaker throughout the Somerset Hills area was a finalist in the televised Chase Giving Awards this month — and her "More Than Me" Foundation, dedicated to getting girls off the streets and into school in Liberia, took the top prize for a $1 million grant. The money is earmarked to build a new school in the country.

Quarry's Trustworthiness Questioned by Residents

Public comments and questions for the Millington Quarry's plan for closure and rehabilitation of the quarrying facility on Stonehouse Road wrapped up with residents asking whether the quarry could be trusted to follow through on a plan to prevent more contaminated soil from coming into the facility — and asked that the Planning Board recommend against any plan that calls for more fill being trucked in. The quarry's representatives blamed the former operator at the facility. The next meeting on the issue is Jan. 31.

New Mount Prospect Principal on Familiar Ground

A familiar face at Mount Prospect Elementary School, Assistant Principal Joanne Hozeny, will become principal after the planned January retirement of Judith Slutzky, principal since the school opened 14 years ago.

The volunteers at the Liberty Corner and Basking Ridge fire companies donated their trucks to transport Santa around town on Dec. 22 making deliveries to some lucky kids whose parents (or grandparents) had arranged the special delivery. The Santa delivery also is an important fundraiser for the all-volunteer organizations.

Vote for the Top Dog!

Tina, part of the Pine clan in Basking Ridge, won the township's top dog vote in Bernards Township, in her outfit as a pirate from Halloween. There were so many cute dogs around town, and we suspect there are more. However, these pooches gave canine lovers something to ooh and ah over.

Winter Storm Blankets Region

A real winter snowfall brought a few inches to Basking Ridge and nearby areas at the end of December, and here are some photos. Earlier in the week, barely an inch or so of wet, slick snow and slush covering caused accidents and also some power outages.

Top Photos of 2012 in Basking Ridge

It was a hard job to select the year's top photos, with many unforgettable scenes from Sandy, many noteworthy reader contributions and as always, some great moments from some great Ridge teams and sporting events.