Top Stories of 2013 in Hopatcong-Sparta

1. Woman Beats Mom to Death With Bat During Dispute, Police Say 

The body of Ligia Bolanos, 56, was discovered beaten to death by a baseball bat in the hallway of her home by Hopatcong Borough  Police Aug. 28. Her 30-year-old daughter, Mirna Bolanos, was charged with the crime. The story sparked discussions on violence and mental health among Patch readers. More than anything, though, the story brought the community together to express of the loss of a woman remembered on our pages as "an amazing woman" who was "a tremendous help to those involved with local elementary schools."   

2.  Kevin Natale, Manager of Frank's Pizza and Dedicated Volunteer, Dies  

Readers converged on Patch for reminiscences and solace after the sudden and heartbreaking Sept. 14 death of Kevin Natale of Frank's Pizza in Hopatcong. Natale, 40, grew up in the family business and became not only an expert in Italian tomato and cheese pies and running a business, but in stepping up to make a better borough and a better world.  

3.  Police Pursuit Ends in Hopatcong Councilwoman's Arrest 

Hopatcong Council member Estelle Klein grabbed more than her share of headlines this summer and fall after an odd series of events that began with her shopping at the Netcong Shop Rite supermarket and ended with her being the focus of a slow-speed police pursuit for allegedly shoplifting $40 in food items. The councilwoman, 79 at the time, was charged with theft, resisting arrest and eluding and now is in the pre-trial intervention program, which could clear her criminal record. The story brought forth a lot of reader comment on issues including recalling town officials, political competence and whether due process gives political figures an edge.   

4.  Foreclosures in Hopatcong and Why You Should Stay Away 

Our fourth most-read story of the year that was highlights a crucial element of Patch: reader involvement. "Roll Back Your Tax" offered a list of foreclosed properties in Hopatcong and shared a personal story of life in the borough. It also presented thoughts on the connection between the high cost of home ownership and issues regarding the quality of local government in general and the ruling that Mayor Sylvia Petillo committed an ethics violation.   

5.  Hopatcong Residents, Officials Lock Horns over Tax Bill 

Politics and taxes reared their heads in July in conflict between Mayor Sylvia Petillo and residents at a mayor/council meeting where citizens unleashed their outrage over new, higher tax rates imposed Aug. 1 as a result of a reassessment ordered by the Sussex County Board of Taxation.  Many said the  tax increase—for some, as much as 30 percent—along with a perceived lack of confidence in the quality of Hopatcong schools, road condition and more could drive people to move out of the borough.