Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. As far as local law enforcement went, there was plenty that happened in the last year: Longest Serving Richfield Officer Retires as Police Chief After 36 years of service, Barry Fritz handed the Richfield Public Safety reigns to Todd Sandell in late March. Fritz held nearly every rank as a Richfield officer. Our coverage: Richfield Police Chief Retires After 36 Years of Service Richfield Public …

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. As far as local redevelopment went, there was plenty that happened in the last year: Pillsbury Commons Fails After Years on Table The affordable housing complex, which was in the works for more than two years, was officially laid to rest in July after months of back and forth between the city and the developer, Ron Clark Construction & Design—and the city and residents. Our coverage: Pillsbury …

Follow Richfield Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important, shocking or possibly infamous to our readers. And as we near the end of 2012, we're looking back at those hot articles. The following are the top 10 most read and followed stories of the year: *** No. 10: Blogger Looking for Love, 52 Dates This Year No. 9: Richfield Native Kills 6, Self in Minneapolis Office Shooting No 8: Richfield Couple…

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. The following is the top story of the year. *** Four principals in four years. This was the reality for the students, parents, faculty and staff at Richfield High School in recent history. After Dr. Stephen West left for an opportunity in Eden Prairie at the end of the 2010-11 school year, first-time principal Joshua Fuchs stepped in and offered reassurance to those hurt by West's unexpected departure…

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. The following is the No. 2 story of the year. *** Pillsbury Commons. While it's a project that's long over, the mere mention of it can still evoke passionate discussions, sighs and grumbles among Richfield residents. The affordable housing complex, which was in the works for more than two years, was officially laid to rest in July after months of back and forth between the city and the developer, …

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. The following is the No. 3 story of the year. *** After being involved in a lawsuit with the city and a dispute with Menards, the Burger King owned by Dolphin Fast Food Inc. on 78th Street East closed its doors late in the summer. While Dolphin Fast Food Inc. didn't return Richfield Patch's calls, its decision to close the restaurant was likely the result of the Menards revamp, which will be a two-…

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. The following is the No. 4 story of the year. *** While news of Popeyes plans to take over a number of KFC locations didn't hit until late October, fried chicken fans flocked to Richfield Patch to get the details on the deal. Fourteen bankrupt Twin Cities KFC locations, including the one in Richfield, will likely be taken over by Popeyes. KFC's parent, Yum Brands Inc., wasn't exactly pleased with …

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. The following is the No. 5 story of the year. *** Election Day 2012 was no doubt a very important day for every Minnesotan. Not only was every Minnesota state legislator up for re-election, but voters were faced with two major constitutional amendments. The marriage amendment would've defined marriage as between one man and one woman, while the photo voter ID measure would've required all to …

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. The following is the No. 6 story of the year. *** After responding to a report of an emotionally disturbed man and a possible hostage situation on the morning of Oct. 5, Richfield police shot and killed Jeffery Michael O'Connor. O'Connor, 25, was reportedly wielding a knife when he was shot and killed. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner stated he died of multiple gunshot wounds. The Hennepin …

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. The following is the No. 7 story of the year. *** In possibly one of the most disturbing tales in recent Richfield history, an elderly couple was attacked in their home Feb. 28 by a man who had done odd jobs around the house. Orginally thought to be a triple stabbing, Richfield police discovered Richard Webb, 79, and his wife Toni Gail Jackson three days after the attack. Jackson's sister found the …

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. The following is the No. 8 story of the year. *** Rev. Dr. Robyn Provis and her wife Kathy Luebbe found love online after both were married to men, had children, and for many years lived the life they thought they were supposed to. “It wasn’t part of my radar to think of myself as gay,” Kathy told Richfield Patch last summer. “I just thought, ‘If you work long enough and hard enough, these …

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. The following is the No. 9 story of the year. *** After receiving the news of his termination the afternoon of Sept. 27, Richfield native Andrew Engeldinger took out a gun and began to open fire on his now former co-workers. Eight were shot inside Accent Signage, before Engeldinger turned the gun on himself and took his own life. Six victims died from their injuries. Almost immediately after …

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. The following is the No. 10 story of the year. *** Richfield resident Julie Janus started a mission to find love at the beginning of 2012. Her method? Fifty-two blind dates; one each week for a year. And, of course, she decided to keep a record of her journey by blogging about it. As one of the most read Richfield Patch stories of 2012, it also garned quite a few comments from readers—both negative …