Editor’s note: The two staffers at the Valley Indy are on vacation this week. Happy New Year.
Here they are — the most popular stories of 2016.
They are, simply, the stories people read the most, based on page views.
10. Derby Man Dies In Route 8 Wreck
As any Valley Indy Facebook follower knows, crashes on Route 8 are too common. This was a terrible story about a 53-year-old motorcycle rider who died in June.
9. Police Release Name Of Hit-And-Run Victim
Teresa Glossy, 54, of Shelton, died in May after being struck by a car in Shelton. The driver of the car fled the scene. The mother of two had lived in Shelton for 10 years.
8. First Walmart, Now Adams To Close In Derby
It was a horrific year for the Walmart shopping center off Route 34 in Derby. First, in March, Walmart announced the store would be closing in July.
Then Adams, the supermarket next door, announced they were calling it a day, too.
7. Derby Police: $1.5 Million In Drugs Seized From Truck
Derby police Dec. 21 seized 55 pounds of fentanyl from a truck cops pulled over on Route 34.
That’s a lot of dope.
VICE reported it was enough fentanyl to kill everyone in Connecticut twice.
We didn’t check their math, but the fact so may Valley residents read this story underscores how many people are aware of our opioid problem.
Heroin mixed with fentanyl is a national scourge, and the Valley’s no different.
The dangerous combo killed a Derby man, and sent another to federal prison.
The drug was at the center of a national kickback scheme with Derby connections.
Meanwhile, Valley families have been struggling about how to help loved ones lost to addiction.
6. Rest In Peace, Mr. Tidmarsh
The Valley lost a local leader, businessman, and all-around nice guy in January this year.
Roy Tidmarsh’s passing also revealed how special he was to his customers, who used our Facebook page to share memories of buying candy and cake from his Westfield Avenue shop in Ansonia.
Click the embedded image below to read the memories.
Posted by Valley Independent Sentinel on Monday, January 25, 2016
5. Antonio’s Closes In Ansonia
Doing business on Ansonia’s Main Street isn’t easy. A number of eateries have come and gone since the Valley Indy launched in 2009.
But Antonio’s seemed to have found the recipe for success in downtown Ansonia that has eluded so many others — which was why it was so shocking when the place closed in February.
The space was renovated and a new restaurant, Lulu Pazzo Italiano, was open by the end of the year.
Here’s hoping Lulu can continue the Ansonia restaurant upswing started by Crave and continued by Copper City Bar and Grill, both on Main Street.
4. Ansonia Cheerleader’s Mom Dies On Way To Competition
Just a tragic story. The Go Fund Me page was still active as of Dec. 26.
3. Suspect Arrested In Connection To Fatal Derby Overdose
The suspect, Bradley Commerford (pictured above), is scheduled to get out of federal prison in 2021.
2. Deepest Condolences To The Butler Family Of Derby
Former Derby Fire Department Chief James Butler passed away in February after he had responded to a call.
He was just 50 years old.
He left behind a legion of loving friends and family.
1. Heroin Suspected As Cause Of Two Deaths In Derby
Four heroin overdoses in 24 hours — including two fatal ODs — prompted a dire warning from Derby police: a “bad batch” of heroin, that is, heroin even more dangerous than usual, was making the rounds in the lower Valley.
The ingredient was later revealed as fentanyl.
