Manchester Patch's Top 2012 Stories

The Hindenburg disaster, a chapter in Lakehurst's history that's remembered but not celebrated for its destruction and iconic image, tops the list of stories viewed by Manchester Patch readers in 2012.

Traffic and crime news also topped the list, beginning with a September car-crash tragedy that killed 68-year-old Theresa R. McKeon of Whiting.

In July, a former Manchester Police Department officer and the son of the township's first police chief was found dead. Darrin "Mark" Payne, 49, was discovered in his Manchester home by family members, Chief of Police Brian Klimakowski confirmed.

Then, in an awkward and trivial turn, a story on reports swirling that MTV stars Snooki and JWoww may be headed to Manchester - a situation which was later confirmed - also neared the top of the story list.

Here is the story list, with the numbers of visitors for each story:

Remembering Hindenburg Survivors 75 Years After Disaster 11,525 UPDATE: Police Identify Whiting Woman Killed in Tuesday Route 70 Crash 5,299 UPDATE: Manchester Crash Victim Identified 4,575 Son of Manchester's First Police Chief Found Dead 4,457 Christie Declares State of Emergency for New Jersey 4,319 Are Snooki and JWoww Headed to Manchester? 4,175 UPDATE: ShopRite Employees Break Car Window to Save Unresponsive Man in Parking Lot 3,790

3,528 'Snooki' Production Addressed by Township Officials 3,508 POLL: Should Boy Be Responsible for Errant Little League Throw That Struck Spectator? 3,455 Middle School Students to Take Classes at High School While Mold Problem is Addressed 2,924 Lawsuit an 'Eye-Opening Experience' for Little League Player's Family 2,818 2,784 Man Critically Injured in Head-On Crash at Route 70/571 Intersection 2,742 2,685 UPDATED: Fire Burns House In Whiting; No Injuries Reported 2,579 UPDATE: High School Will Reopen Thursday Following Bomb Threat 2,552 Motorcyclist in Critical Condition Following 'Severe' Route 70 Crash 2,532 2,460 UPDATE: Missing Manchester Teen Home Safe 2,426 UPDATED: Friday Route 70 Collision Sends Three to Hospital 2,404 Car Crashes Into Lakehurst Gas Station; One Injured 2,321 2,230 UPDATE: Manchester Girl Found Safe 2,226 2,138 UPDATE: Authorities Continue Search for Missing Whiting Woman 2,070 Lakehurst Police 'Surprise' Alleged Marijuana Smokers 2,054 Police: Crestwood Village Homes Targeted by Burglar 2,019 Wall Family Arrested in Alleged Lakehurst Condo 'Flipping' Scheme 1,970