The Top Stories of 2011: Part I

Manchester Patch takes a look back on some of the biggest stories to make news in 2011 below. The list continues tomorrow with the second part of this New Year's wrap.

• After months of debate, the Manchester Township Council voted to let residents answer the question of whether municipal elections should be moved from May to November. . Those who favor the change say that it will save the township $50,000 and get more residents to vote for local leaders since turnout is generally higher for general elections. Mayor Michael Fressola that the amount to be saved is closer to $40,000.
  
  
• Manchester lost a hero in August when . The 23-year-old was praised by township high school principal Alexander George as a student always wearing a smile on his face. He was at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown following ceremonies at Saint John's Roman Catholic Church in Lakehurst.
  
  
• Long-serving Manchester councilman . The council appointed Sam Fusaro, who served 16 years on the council before deciding not to seek reelection in 2006, to the vacant seat in December. and said that he understands the problems of both the township's young families and the retirees. 
  
  
• Nearly a year after allegedly killing Lakewood police officer Christopher Matlosz, 27, of Manchester, jury selection in the trial of Jahmell Crockam, the 19-year-old from Lakewood, . Crockam, also known as "Sav," allegedly  on Jan. 14 during what authorities described as a routine stop in Lakewood. Matlosz has received many honors, including a in Ocean Grove.
  
  
• Residents voted to , which called for a tax increase of $54 per year based on Manchester's average assessed home value of $194,100. between and officials, the council . Despite the reduction, school administrators said that programs would be kept intact.