Top Wayne Stories of 2013

A high school graduate is shot and killed hours after graduation. A resident’s body is found at the bottom of a gorge in Pennsylvania. An old-time ice cream parlor may return to Wayne soon.

Those were just some of the topics covered in the top 10 biggest stories of 2013 on Wayne Patch.

Wayne Valley Graduate Shot, Killed in Paterson

Isaac Rinas, 18, was found on Fair Street in Paterson shot in the neck hours after the commencement ceremony at Wayne Valley High School. Rinas and his friend Casey Cole, 18, were in Rinas’ car. They were there because Rinas wanted to purchase a handgun.

Cole, of Wayne, and Bishma Cowan, 24, and Quashon Faircloth, 27, both from Paterson, were charged with felony murder, murder, conspiracy, robbery, and illegal weapons counts. Cole allegedly promised Rinas he would help him purchase a handgun but set him up to be robbed instead, authorities said.

They face life in prison if convicted. Faircloth was the one who allegedly shot Rinas. Cole called 9-1-1 after Rinas was shot and Faircloth reportedly fled the scene on foot.

Iconic Ice Cream Parlor May Return

The Planning Board approved an application Sept. 23 to construct an ice cream parlor and restaurant called The Old Milk Barn at the intersection of Colfax Road and Terhune Drive.

The Old Milk Barn was a fixture in town for more than 50 years before it closed 12 years ago. People would often wait an hour for a big cone of their favorite ice cream.

Woman Found Dead at the Bottom of Pa. Gorge

Gail Dews’ body was found at the base of a 92-foot Gorge in Shohola Falls, Pa. in March, police said. The Pike County coroner said Dews died of “blunt force injuries,” which appeared to be caused by Dews’ fall down to the bottom of the gorge. Police continue to investigate the case.

Resident, 25, Charged with Robbing 7-Eleven

Valerio Rodano, 25, was charged in November after police found evidence related to the robbery, clothing, and a handgun at his residence. A 9mm handgun was seized during the search. He plead not guilty to the charge in municipal court.

QB Olsen Charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Kevin Olsen, the former state-championship winning quarterback at Wayne Hills High School, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident after he smashed the vehicle he was driving into a tree and a car.

Olsen left the scene of the accident on foot but a witness told police Olsen “appeared to be under the influence of something.”  

Olsen is a redshirt freshman at the University of Miami.

Woman, 82, Killed in Car Crash

An 82-year-old woman was killed in a car crash at the intersection of Berdan Avenue and Pancake Hollow Drive, police said. Mary Zangrilli, of Pompton Plains, was the victim.

Car Flips Over on Hamburg Turnpike

A man sustained non-life threatening injuries in a single-car crash on Hamburg Turnpike. The driver allegedly passed out behind the wheel.

Resident Named First ‘Ellen’ Underwear Model

Mike Wolfinger was named the first ever Ellen underwear model on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in February. He won the honor by correctly answering trivia questions.

YouTube Video Leads to Arrest of Alleged Burglars

Ahmet Islami, 20, of Haledon, and his girlfriend, Marjorie Alva, 21, of Elmwood Park, were each charged with two counts of burglary, theft and receiving stolen property after surveillance video that went viral on YouTube led to their arrest. They allegedly burglarized two houses on Oxbow Place.

Republicans Sweep Mayoral, Council Races

Mayor Chris Vergano and his Republican running mates won re-election to their respective offices in November. Vergno received more than 3,000 votes than his opponent Jane Hutchinson.