Most Read Wayne Stories of 2012

Here were the 10 most read news stories on Wayne Patch this year. 

Board Asked to Amend Controversial Policy

Dozens of people packed the council chamber in February to show their support for Wayne Hills football coach Chris Olsen.

The board approved a policy in January prohibiting administrators and supervisors from coaching sports teams or acting as advisors to any athletic or extra-curricular program. Olsen had been the school’s athletic director and head football coach.

The Board said in November that it would address such conflicts after Olsen permitted nine Wayne Hills football players to participate in two state playoff games after they were charged with attacking two Wayne Valley High School students Oct. 29.

Devin Okeefe, 22, of Park Ridge, was killed when his Acura crossed over to the southbound lane of Valley Road and crashed into a BMW in September. Okeefe was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alleged Burglar Caught in Child’s Playhouse

A New York man was charged with eluding a police officer after authorities from multiple law enforcement agencies chased him through the Packanack Lake section of town and near Valley Road in June.

Ronald Catti was found in the backyard of a house on Kossouth Place. Police had Catti under surveillance after they named him a suspect in several burglaries that occurred earlier in the year.

One of the nine Wayne Hills football players accused of aggravated assault filed a federal lawsuit against several town and Wayne education officials seeking at least $15 million in damages for false arrest and violation of his constitutional rights.

Wayne Valley Student Accused of Punching Cop

A Wayne Valley High School student was charged with assaulting a police officer after he allegedly punched Det. Michael Zaccone in the chest in September.

A Wayne woman was charged with child endangerment after police found her 8-month-old children alone inside a house in August.

Dolly Santiago was charged after police found her two children inside a Cayuga Trail home.

Wayne Hills Football Star Arrested Again

Andrew Monaghan, one of the nine Wayne Hills football players charged with aggravated assault stemming from an incident at a party last October was arrested in July.

Monaghan was charged with disorderly conduct at a party. Police said he reportedly interfered with a police officer who was investigating a noise complaint at the party, police said.

Man Dies from Injuries Suffered in Crash

Stephen Saunders, 21, was killed in a motor vehicle crash on Parish Drive when the vehicle he was riding in left the roadway and crashed into a tree in early February.

Sheriff’s Officer Accused of Sex Abuse of Girls

Thomas Ingham, a long-serving Essex County Sheriff’s Officer from Wayne, was charged with sexually abusing a juvenile girl and family friend, authorities said.

Wayne Man Accused of Knifepoint Robbery

Thomas Venezia, 26, was charged with first-degree robbery for allegedly robbing an Exxon gas station attendant at knifepoint.

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.