Northport's Top 10 Headlines of 2012

A lot happened around Northport during 2012. Here is a rundown of the top 10 headlines throughout the year.

Lights Out as Sandy Slams Northport: Some Northporters were in the dark for two weeks as Hurricane Sandy ripped through the region in October, causing widespread wind damage but no reported injuries.

: An East Northport man killed his ex-girlfriend and mother of his child in March, before taking his own life in an apparent murder-suicide, police said.

Oyster Bay Boat Tragedy: Three children, including two residents of Huntington, drowned when a boat carrying 27 people capsized and sank at a July 4 fireworks show in Oyster Bay. Harlie Treanor, 11, and Victoria Gaines, 7, both of Huntington, and David Aureliano of Kings Park, died.

Northport BOE OKs Drug Sweeps: The Northport-East Northport Board of Education approved the use of Suffolk County Police narcotic detection dogs for drug sweeps of school lockers at a November BOE meeting. Trustee David Badanes voted against the program. November.

Tim Tebow Denies Northport Rumors: Tim Tebow publicly denied rumors that he is moving to Northport during a press conference at the New York Jets mini-camp practice session in June, according to a transcript published on SB Nation.

Letica Takes Asharoken Mayoral Election: Asharoken mayoral challenger Greg Letica defeated two-term incumbent Patricia Irving at the polls in June.

Town Passes $181.2 M Budget: The Huntington Town Board approved a $181.2 million operating budget for 2013 in November. The budget was approved 3-2, with Supervisor Frank Petrone and Council Members Mark Cuthbertson and Susan Berland voting in favor.

Variance Ruling Shrinks Matinecock Court: Fourteen units will be shaved off the proposed Matinecock Court Housing Development in East Northport as a result of a Suffolk County variance ruling announced in May. The ruling shrinks the number of houses on the 15-acre parcel from 155 to 141.

Oak Tree Dairy: Elwood Has Two Options: Elwood residents can either accept a condominium development at the Oak Tree Dairy or watch it go to 100 percent output, Oak Tree President Hari Singh said at a packed Huntington Town Board meeting in December.

: The Northport American Legion Hall filled to bursting in September as the community discussed how to prevent the United States Postal Service from closing the Northport Post Office, built in 1932.