Year in review: The top 12 stories in the tri-state area for 2021

As we approach the end of the year, here’s a look back at the most viewed stories on News 12 across the tri-state.

News 12 Staff

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Dec 20, 2021, 6:15 PM

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Updated 1,090 days ago

1. COVID-19 AND VACCINES

As COVID-19 vaccines got emergency use approval and were distributed across Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, many wanted to know where they could get it. Click here for a guide.

The states geared up to open vaccination centers, including this one at Jones Beach in New York.

As more people received the COVID-19 vaccines, more was being learned about their side effects. Here’s an early story about side effects of the vaccine, and another one about adverse reactions.

As more people got vaccinated, viewers were interested in stories about breakthrough cases. Here’s one of the early stories on that topic.

2. GABBY PETITO

The Gabby Petito case captivated not only the tri-state area but also the world. Petito, a Long Island native, went missing while on a road trip in a van with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie, according to police.

Here’s the News 12 blog with all notes and updates in the case.

Petito was reported missing on Sept. 11. Her body was found on Sept. 19 in Wyoming. The coroner’s initial determination for the manner of death was homicide.

Long lines of mourners turned up in Holbrook, New York, for a memorial service honoring Gabby Petito's memory.

Laundrie was reported missing on Sept. 17 after he returned to North Port, Florida, without her. His remains were found on Oct. 20 at a Florida reserve.

3. SHOOTING AT LONG ISLAND STOP & SHOP

A grocery store on Long Island was the scene of a deadly shooting.

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder says Gabriel Dewitt Wilson arrived for work at the store around 11:19 a.m. and went straight to the second floor where he shot two people in an office at the store. Wilson then entered a second office where a 49-year-old manager was killed.

4. JAN. 6 INSURRECTION AT THE U.S. CAPITOL

On Jan. 6, a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump attacked the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Tensions from the chaos at the Capitol boiled over to the Levittown community after a teacher at Division Avenue High School made a social media post with strong words about police.

5. NYC EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF RAPE

A New York City Department of Education employee was arrested on two counts of rape and sexual misconduct, police say.

6. GUN VIOLENCE

A family in Queens lost a loved one who was shot while she was attending a Brooklyn vigil honoring someone else.

7. OFFICERS ARRESTED

A three-month probe led to the arrest of two Norwalk officers found in a hotel together while on duty, officials say.

8. REMAINS FOUND AFTER 30 YEARS

In January, White Plains police confirmed that the human remains found in a car submerged in the Muscoot Reservoir in Somers were those of a woman missing for over 30 years.

9. MOTHER DIES

A 21-year-old mother from Chester died one day after giving birth via C-section in April.

10. SPOTTED LANTERNFLY

In August, eight counties across New Jersey were under quarantine - not for COVID-19, but for the spotted lanternfly. The counties affected by the bug were Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem, Somerset and Warren.

11. MARIJUANA SMELL

Verano Holdings, one of the nation's largest medical marijuana cultivators, moved into a former Walmart building in New Jersey, to the dismay of some neighbors who say the smell from the facility is making them crazy.

12. SEAFOOD BOIL ON A PLANE

“I turned coach to first class.” A photo of a Brooklyn mother and son eating seafood boil on a plane to Las Vegas went viral over the summer.