Year in Review: Top Jefferson Stories of 2012

January

The Jefferson Township Board of Education began their search for a new superintendent when Dr. Kathaleen Fuchs announced her retirement for the Spring.

The BOE  of an age discrimination won by former teacher Jeanne O’Neill, a high school chemistry teacher who was awarded $300,000 for emotional distress, $130,000 in back pay, and another $79,000 in other lost wages and benefits 

February

About 400 people attended Lake Hopatcong Elks' annual Leap in the Lake to raise funds for kids with special needs in the 11 towns the Elks Club 782 serves.

It was announced that Jefferson Township schools would than in the previous year.

The Lady Falcons took home the basketball County title in the Morris County Tournament Final game against Chatham.

March

Ronnie Fedo, 34, of Lake Hopatcong, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of Nisan Ambaroglu, the owner of the Getty gas station on Route 15 in June 2011.

Joseph Kraemer was appointed as the township's school district superintendent. Dr. Mary Thornton was appointed the assistant superintendent, which is the position Kraemer previously held.

The township acquired a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, and will be designing a space for a memorial.

April

Jefferson's Doris Roberts, who passed away in late March at age 90, was remebered by residents as a "good person" who was passionate about the township. Jefferson Mayor Russ Felter referred to Robers as a "treasure." “She did a lot for this town, and was very active up until just a few months ago," Felter said in April. "She loved this town a lot, and she will be sorely missed." Roberts was an active community member and a former 'Lake Hopatcong Breeze' advertising saleswoman.

Joel Warren Headley, 24, died at home unexpectedly on April 17.  He lived in the Milton Section of the township his whole life and graduation from Jefferson Township High School in 2006.

A Jeffeson couple took on the challenge of a six-month hike on the Appalachian Trail.

May

The parents of a Jefferson Township High School freshman came before the Board of Education in May to plead for help after they said their son was “brutally attacked” by another student.

Demetrius Diaz-Bridges, of Jefferson, admitted in court to killing Elizabeth O’Brien in 2008 at her Nolan's Point home. Diaz-Bridges is subject to 40 years in jail with a minimum period of 34 years to be served before he is eligible for parole.

June

Bryant Annett, a long-term substitute math teacher at Jefferson Township High School, left his position during the final days of school.

The Jefferson Township High School class of 2012 graduated on on June 24.

A Hopatcong man was charged with operating a vessel while under the influence after he crashed a boat crash on Lake Hopatcong that damaged a dock.

July

Demetrius Diaz-Bridges was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the  at her Nolan’s Point Road Home.

Jefferson Day kicked off this month with a parade followed by games, music, a fishing contest, vendors, plenty of food and was capped with a fireworks display at night at Jefferson High School.

August

Jefferson High School science teacher RoseAnn Krygier passed away after a battle with cancer. Krygier performed every one of her teaching duties, from writing a mid-term exam to arranging for a portable planetarium to visit the school, with the utmost of care and professionalism, according to Jefferson Township High School prinicpal Karl Mundi.

Vice Principal Gregory Currie resigned after the Jefferson Township Board of Education and High School reached a tentative settlement regarding tenure charges the district filed against Currie after he was suspended in February of 2011 for alleged misconduct.

September

Parents of the Lake Forest swim team members initiated a referendum to attempt to remove the swim team’s board, reinstate the two fired coaches and pay the coaches the traditional bonuses they were promised but allegedly did not receive.

The Jefferson Board of Education lost their third board member in a year. Two members resigned within past six months, Judy Castiglione in September and Bob Feldmann in late March. Nick Anzano also resigned last August while Kathaleen Fuchs was still superintendent, citing "overwhelming work commitments."

October

A Jefferson Township couple argued that their two African Boerboel dogs were "not attack dogs" in their court case that could force them to forfeit their dogs to the municipality and possibly be euthanized.

A state of emergency was declared the night of Hurricane Sandy, after the storm knocked the town about 99 percent without power and caused devastation across the township.

Quick Chek on Route 15 opened in Jefferson.

November

Residents when a tree crashed down on his home and say he was well-liked in the neighborhood.

Sonny Gorzala, 21, of Oak Ridge, pleaded not guilty in State Superior Court on Nov. 28 on allegations for being on heroin when he crashed into two cars, killing one woman and injuring another earlier this month in West Milford.

December

Amir Khan, 52, of Jefferson was struck and killed by a van whlie walking along Route 15 South. 

Superstorm Sandy and the , officials said.

The Lake Hopatcong Commission will still be operating in 2013, despite being denied state aid.