Top 12 Commack Stories of 2012

It's New Year's Eve and and we are counting down the final moments of 2012. Before we do so, we're taking a moment to reflect on the biggest news in Commack over the last 12 months. 

Here are the biggest stories of 2012 based on Patch readers: 

* Sheriff Arrests Mother for Commack Grad's Murder - An autopsy on a Commack graduate found dead in his upstate New York apartment Monday morning revealed he was killed and his body went undiscovered for five days. Times Union reports that Albany Sheriff's offices has arrested Tracy Zetsche, 52, and charged her with second-degree murder of her son, 22-year-old Gabriel Philby-Zetsche. 

* Police Find Dead Body in Commack Woods - A Long Island Power Authority worker made a gruesome discovery in Commack Tuesday morning when he discovered a dead body in a wooded area near the Indian Head Forest complex, according to police.

* - Commack school administrators have announced they will take a pay freeze to help bridge a $4.7 million budget gap for the 2012-13 school year, and are looking at others to do the same. 

* Commack Schools Respond to Recent Student Deaths - Commack school officials have responded to two recent students deaths at  after more than 2,500 signatures on an online petition demanded action be taken. 

* Commack Woman Dies in Off-Campus Fire Near Marist -A Commack woman is reportedly among three people that perished in a fire in a house rented by Marist students near the campus in January. 

* Main Catch to Open Its Doors in Commack - More than a year after Southside Fish & Clams closed for minor renovations, the seafood haven has found new life as a full-service restaurant. 

* Residents Oppose Hess Conveinence Stores - Tensions ran high at Smithtown Town Board Meeting, as more than 20 residents spoke publicly in opposition of the proposed Hess Express gas station and convenience store, citing safety and traffic concerns. 

* Marion Carll Heirs File Lawsuit Against Commack School District -  The heirs to the Marion Carll Farm are seeking to regain possession of the historic property donated to the Commack School District more than 40 years ago, and school officials may willingly hand over the deed.

* Fire Breaks out in Commack Home - A fire broke out in a home on Chatham Road in Commack on Jan. 3. Five departments were called in at approximately 5:30 p.m. to fight the blaze, which began on the second floor of the home, fire officials said.

* Dicks Sporting Goods to Occupy Former Pathmark Location - Dick's Sporting Goods is coming to Commack within the year, filling the spot left vacant by Pathmark, according to a leasing agent for the property.

* - Six people were arrested and a manager cited Thursday during a state liquor authority check at a Commack bar, police said.

*Commack Ranked 18th Among NY High Schools - The U.S. News & World Report rankings placed Commack High School as among the top 100 high schools in the United States.