Top Frankfort Stories of 2012 (So Far): What Makes Your List?

Six months have been crossed off the calendar. That's half a year put into the history books. With six months left (minus a few days) in 2012, I've decided to look back on the year and compile the top five Frankfort stories and events that had readers talking … so far.

To put the list together, I considered factors such as overall community effect, long-term repercussions and reader views and comments. The list itself is in no particular order.

1. Summit Hill School District 161 budget cuts: The district's more than $2 million budget deficit over the next three years was revealed toward the end of 2011, but the effects of that shortfall weren't truly seen until the beginning of this year. The began making the first round of hard decisions by , re-evaluating fee structures and . It was that last decision that drew the ire of many district parents and has led the community members to criticize board members throughout the process.
2. Lincoln-Way High School District 210 budget cuts: Not nearly as contentious as the Summit Hill situation, faced its own financial issues. The school board and Supt. Lawrence Wyllie .
3. Mariano's coming to the village: Mariano's Fresh Market, a regional chain of upscale grocery stores, . By the end of spring, , and the new store could open by spring 2013. The opening of Mariano's could be a big business boon for the village, and opening up development just east of LaGrange Road on U.S. Route 30. However, some fear that Frankfort will have too many grocery stores, while others have been concerned about the displacement of longtime village businesses such as , .
4. Brandon Bergthold arrest and conviction: Bergthold was apprehended by sheriff's officers in Will and Cook counties in a sting operation after a monthslong investigation. . After a plea deal last month, .
5. Hero kids helping neighbors during fire: Since late 2011, there have been a rash of unrelated fires in the area. What's been remarkable, however, has been the way the community has come together to help the victims. In one case this winter, though, . Some of the teens even tried to put out the fire themselves.

Don't think these stories deserve to be here? What stories did I miss? Put together your own top five list and share it in the comments suggestions.

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