The Valley Indy’s Most Read Stories Of 2014

FILE PHOTOWe’re not ready to close the door on 2014 just yet.

We’ve published top 10 story lists from reporter Ethan Fry and writer emeritus Jodie Mozdzer Gil.

Now it’s time to turn the site over to you.

The following is a list of the stories you read the most in 2014!

10. Two Shot In Oxford Home
Estranged husband Scott Gellatly allegedly shot and killed his wife, Lori, and wounded his mother-in-law, Merry Jackson, the morning of May 7 on Sioux Drive in Oxford.

An early version of the story was the tenth most read story this year. 

The murder case against Gellatly is still pending.

9. Seymour Officer OK After Car Goes Into River
After hitting social media, a photo of a Seymour police officer standing atop his police car submerged in a river went viral — a police department down south even used the photo as a caption contest” with its Facebook fans.

The officer was in pursuit of a suspect who had just run away from a fender-bender. Turned out he has a few warrants for his arrest. 

8. Ansonia Auto Parts Probe Leads To Arrest Of Iraqi Man
There has been lots of talk over the years as to how to use downtown Ansonia’s under-used buildings. One of the more interesting uses was revealed in September, when police discovered a man dismantling automobiles in order to ship to Iraq. 

The man was later given accelerated rehabilitation,” a form of probation for non-violent, first-time offenders. 

7. Update: Ansonia Teen Found In Bridgeport
An Ansonia teen briefly disappeared in July. Turns out she went to a friend’s house in Bridgeport.

6. Shot Fired At Bar Employee In Derby
In June, someone popped a shot off at RJ’s Cafe off Elizabeth Street in Derby. No arrests were reported. 

5. Man’s Body Pulled From Water In Derby’s Witek Park
Tragedy struck an Ansonia family in August after a 33-year-old man drowned while night fishing in Derby.

4. Court Docs Say Untouchable’ Dealer Bragged About Connections

James Louis Costanzo, 35, was arrested Jan. 23 at his Dwight Street home in Ansonia, which authorities allege was being used as a black market pharmacy to peddle prescription pills such as oxycodone.

Authorities said they found 600 oxycodone pills and approximately $5,500 in cash in Costanzo’s house after a raid.

The case is still pending in federal court.

3. Coming Soon To Derby: Aldi, Panera Bread, Walgreens, Batting Cages, Fat Gaucho
(From February) Aldi and Panera Bread opened, Walgreens pulled their plan to build a Walgreens, the batting cages were still under construction toward the end of the year, and Fat Gaucho did not materialize.

2. Man Shot By Officer Faces Criminal Charges
A fender-bender on the Maple Street bridge in Ansonia led to an officer-involved shooting in February.

1. Fire, Building Collapse On Howe Avenue In Shelton
A January fire that leveled half a block in Shelton was the most-read story on ValleyIndy.org in 2014. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. 

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