Top 10 Most Clicked-On Shelby-Utica Patch Stories of 2012

As we take a moment to reflect on the fleeting days of 2012, let's look at the stories in Shelby Township and Utica that captured our attention and in some cases, melted our hearts.

It's been a busy year for the community, from fights at the election polls, to 13,000 year old discoveries, and losing our beloved fire chief. The rise in social media as a source of news has put our little community in the national spotlight on several occasions in the past year.

Let's take a look back at the most clicked on stories in the Shelby-Utica Patch in 2012:

Boys Find Mastodon Bone Along Stream in Shelby Township

Roberts Elementary School student, Eric Stamatin, 11, was playing with his cousin, Andrew Gainariu, one summer day near Stamatin's house on 24 and Dequindre when they stumbled upon a 13,000 year old mastodon bone. The bone was verified by Cranbrook Institute of Technology and the boys' find was cemented in Macomb County history as the fourth mastodon bone ever to be discovered in the county.

Patch cameras rolled on Aug. 7, during the primary elections in Shelby Township when a confrontation between an outspoken political blogger, a candidate for the Board of Trustees, her husband and the wife of candidate for supervisor broke out. No serious injuries were reported but the video of the shoving match went viral. 

Badly Decomposed Body Found Hanging From Tree in Wooded Area

A badly decomposed body was found December 7, hanging from a tree near the M-53 expressway and 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township. The body was later identified as a Shelby Township resident in his mid-20s. Police said it had been hanging from the tree since June, but once the leaves fell, the body became apparent to passing motorists.

Family Accused of Running Drug Enterprise out of Shelby Gas Station Arraigned

After a nearly year-long investigation into accusations that employees at the Citgo Gas Station on Van Dyke, and the nearby smoke shop were selling K2 and other illegal drugs, police arrested five family members. A community rally in front of the businesses over the summer sparked outrage that the businesses continued to sell K2, also known as synthetic marijuana. The business owners vowed to remove the drug - which was legal at the time - from their shelves. Shortly after, K2 was banned in Michigan. However, police said the family continued to sell K2 out of the stores.

Search On for Driver of Hit-and-Run Accident That Killed Washington Township Woman

Macomb County sheriff's detectives continue to search for the driver believed to have hit and killed a Washington Township mother early in the morning Dec. 16 in the area of Van Dyke and 28 Mile Road. Police said they believe the driver dragged the woman, and then removed her from under the vehicle before driving off. The case remains under investigation. 

Shelby Township Election Results: Stathakis Wins GOP Supervisor's Race

It was a big election year in Shelby Township and across the country. Shelby Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis was re-elected to a second term, along with most of the existing Board of Trustee members. The only new face to the board was, Nick Nightngale.

A crash involving a drunk driver on 23 and Hayes Roads on June 26 left two families in shambles. The female driver, who was suspected of drinking, when she ran a red light died at the scene. She hit a minivan carrying a Macomb Township family. A 3-year-old child in the minivan died the following day at a nearby hospital.

Boil Water Alert Remains in Effect in Shelby Township After Water Main Break

Shelby Township was under a boil water alert for several days in May after a 36-inch water main ruptured on 24 Mile Road. Police closed 24 Mile Road between Jewel and Schoenherr for several days as road crews worked to repair the roads and clean up the flooding.

Shelby Fire Chief Works Through Cancer to 'Finish What He Started'

Just a month before Shelby Township Fire Chief Gene Shepherd lost his battle to cancer, Shelby-Utica Editor Marina Cracchiolo had the privilege to sit down with the chief and talk about his life's ups and downs, and his fighting spirit. We laughed, we cried and we reflected on his life. Several months later, the township dedicated a park on 23 and Dequindre in his name. 

Menchie's Frozen Yogurt to Open 1st Michigan Location in Shelby

When news of a self-serve frozen yogurt shop hit the presses, mouths in Macomb County started salivating. Menchie's Frozen yogurt opened the first franchise location in Michigan on 25 Mile and Van Dyke Roads in Shelby Township, and there have been lines out the door ever since.

What was your favorite Shelby-Utica Patch story of 2012? Tell us in the comments below.