Moylan Wins House Seat, Hurricane Sandy, More Top Stories 2012

As the New Year approaches, we’re looking back at some of the most frequently read stories during 2012. This is the fifth post in the five-part series, which will run every day until Dec. 31. The stories are organized, somewhat, into chronological order. Sign up for Des Plaines Patch’s free newsletter to make it easy to see all of Des Plaines Patch’s Top Stories 2012.

Two days after Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage on the East Coast, a series of video clips showed the extent of destruction in Ocean City, NJ. Des Plaines police and fire departments coordinated a donation drive to send a trailer full of products to assist in cleanup efforts following Hurricane Sandy.

Des Plaines and Democrat Mayor Marty Moylan was elected to represent Illinois’ 55th House District on Nov. 6 in a tight race against first-time political candidate and community activist, Susan Sweeney, a Republican from Park Ridge.

Shoppers were on the hunt for bargains during the annual spending frenzy that is Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

A gourmet burger restaurant, American WildBurger, opened on Oakton Street on Dec. 1.

The spectacular Geminids meteor shower took place Dec. 13, and a second, new meteor shower was also forecasted during the same time.

Here are Des Plaines Patch’s Top Stories 2012; we’ll add to this list every day until Dec. 31:

• Fashion Outlet Mall Coming to Rosemont published Feb. 23, 2012.
• Police Looking for Driver that Struck Des Plaines Boy published Feb. 27, 2012.
• Maine West Student Killed on I-90 Remembered for Getting Along with Everybody published Feb. 27, 2012.
• Driver that Hit Teen on I-90 Not Charged published Feb. 29, 2012.
• Gingrich: Package Tracking Could Be Used to Locate Illegal Immigrants published March 14, 2012.
• published April 24, 2012.
• Former Gardening Center Grows into New Restaurant published May 9, 2012.
• Update: Police Shot and Killed a Des Plaines Man Outside a Strip Mall published May 14, 2012.
• More Details: Fatal Shooting Occurs After Traffic Stop on Sunday published May 15, 2012.
• Woman Found Dead in Front of Police Station published May 29, 2012.
• published June 8, 2012.
• Chicago Man Wanted In Des Plaines Heroin Deal published June 14, 2012.
• Classic Drive-in Resurfaces on Rand Road published June 27, 2012.
• Fireworks in Des Plaines Area published June 28, 2012.
• Police: Former Chippewa Teacher Sent Girl Photo Of Genitals published July 5, 2012.
• published Oct. 3, 2012.
• published Oct. 8, 2012.
• Sexual Predators: A Map of Homes in Des Plaines published Oct. 25, 2012.
• Des Plaines Police: Show of Force to Gangs in Apache Park Area published Nov. 1, 2012.
• published Nov. 20, 2012.
• Second Hazing Investigation at Maine West Opened published Nov. 26, 2012.
• published Nov. 1, 2012.
• 55th Illinois House District Results: Marty Moylan and Susan Sweeney published Nov. 6.
• published Nov. 21, 2012.
• Gourmet Burger Joint Opens in Des Plaines published Dec. 3, 2012.
• Spectacular Geminid Meteor Shower 2012: When to Watch This Week published Dec. 12, 2012.
• Geminids 2012 May Coincide with Brand New Meteor Shower Dec. 13 published Dec. 14, 2012.

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