Community Corner

OF Patch's Top 10 Most Read Stories of 2011

From a false alarm hostage situation, to a car crashing into a train, we take you through the stories you couldn't get enough of in 2011.

It's been one heck of a year, .

We've seen quite a bit of action in what some might consider a quiet little city tucked alongside our larger neighbor, Tinley Park.

From a fake hostage standoff, to a car smashing into a train, to one very special love story—there was plenty to read about in your beloved hometown.

Find out what's happening in Oak Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

What's that? ... You can't remember that many "big" news stories within the year?

As we wrap up 2011, let's take a spin through the top 10 most-read stories. Buckle up, Oak Forest, and come along for the ride.

Find out what's happening in Oak Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

10.

Published Aug. 26, 2011

The afternoon of Aug. 26, were in hot pursuit of a man assumed responsible for the shootings of two Markham women.

Terrell Randall, 32, was believed to be armed and dangerous as police from the area sought him in connection with the shooting of his girlfriend Tonnisha Johnson at Terrace Motel in Oak Forest and later that day, an ex-girlfriend in Markham.

He was arrested later that day without incident, with the assistance of the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force and South Suburban Emergency Response Team. He was held on $3 million bond initially. However, after Johnson's death two weeks later, the charge was upgraded to first-degree murder, and the bond was upped to $5 million.

9.

Published March 3, 2011

's story didn't end with his early departure from Season 10 of American Idol. Shortly after his elimination, Medina witnessed the reach of his love story with disabled fiancée Juliana Ramos, with news of a giant donation from Hollywood stars.

Medina appeared on Ryan Seacrest's radio show that day, followed shortly afterward by actor Topher Grace and producer Ryan Kavanaugh–who had some news for him. Grace and Kavanaugh announced they will donate $35,000 to the Laurus Foundation, in Juliana's name. They also agreed to donate 1 percent of proceeds from the movie box office opening of their movie Take Me Home Tonight, which opened March 4.

The duo's donation was tacked on to another $35,000 donation from Proactiv and Guthy Renker, according to the Kiis website.

And speaking of Juliana Ramos...

8.

Published March 31, 2011

Patch was invited to spend a day with Ramos and her mother Janet Barnes, watching as Juli endured a day of therapy.  In the first of many videos Patch produced tracking Juliana Ramos' recovery, we showed readers a quick glimpse at her progress, and how her family is coping.

"This is a hopeful thing. This is a story of recovery. It is not about blame, it is not about cause," her mothertold Patch in March. 

Barnes opened up about her personal struggle with Juliana's recovery, discussing Juliana's mood and frustration with her physical and mental state.

"I try to remind her of who she was before, who we were together before," Barnes told Patch. "...This isn't going to be forever."

7.

Published July 22, 2011

When a Metra train struck and killed two elderly women in a car in late-July, the community was left grappling for answers. News crews descended on the crash site, searching for any clues as to what could have caused 81-year-old Donna Grace to reportedly drive her car containing 92-year-old friend Gail Crabtree head-on into the train.  

Some media sources reported authorities had located a note that, at the time, was construed as a suicide note. But Crabtree's family vehemently denied the claim.

Both women were killed on impact with the train. A cause for the crash has not been determined.

6.

Published Oct. 3, 2011

In our video series marking the two-year anniversary of Juliana Ramos' car accident, we sat down with a few of her siblings to discuss the lasting effects of her accident and ongoing recovery.

Ramos' younger siblings describe how she paved the way for them throughout their lives. Since the accident that drastically altered Juliana's life in October 2009, her siblings face the challenge of redefining their family—and themselves.

5.

Published April 21, 2011

After a five-hour ordeal with police, emergency response teams and SWAT surrounding Mark Fitch's Oak Forest home in response to calls of a hostage situation, discovered he was not inside, but instead nearby at. 

Initial 9-1-1 calls reported a possible hostage situation and a suspect armed with explosives. Police barricaded the area surrounding the home on Babette Court. Fitch was reportedly intoxicated and threatening bodily harm. Oak Forest police, some armed with rifles, about 4 p.m. that day cordoned off an area from 159th Street to 163rd Street and from Central Avenue to Long Avenue and evacuated local residents in the vicinity of Lagoon Park.

Multiple police departments were called to the scene to assist. After several hours of attempted negotiations, officers tear-gassed the house and forced entry, to find Fitch was not there.

Oak Forest Mayor Hank Kuspa called the incident an "elaborate hoax."

No charges were filed against Fitch.

4.

Published April 8, 2011

Family members, therapists and community members are all devoted to Traumatic Brain Injury victim Juliana Ramos' fight for recovery.  If her frustration overwhelms her, her family is there to urge her forward, and they allowed Patch to witness it firsthand.

Ramos' mother Janet Barnes permitted Patch to join Juli for a day of her therapy. Patch captured her hard work, frustration, focus—and sass—throughout the day. The day that we joined her, Ramos underwent hyperbaric oxygen treatments and physical therapy.

3.

Published Oct. 10, 2011

Juliana Ramos has come a long way, and she's not stopping any time soon. The second video in our, this video depicts a recent shift in Ramos' mood, and steps forward in progress, as Team Juliana gains its newest, most important member—Juliana herself.

The first 18 months of Ramos' recovery—though speckled with high points and success—were also dotted with setbacks, struggle and disappointment.

But a stint in the hospital and inpatient rehabilitation seemed to bring about a change in Juliana, her family said. After suffering several seizures in late August, .

Ramos emerged more willing, more ready and more active in the fight for her old life.

As her continues to build a musical career and share their love story with their supporters, he spends time away from her, but returns to witness her progress.

Enjoy a glimpse into Juliana's progress since the . We spoke with her family and physical trainer about Ramos' steady, continual progress and apparent renewed determination.

2.

Published Oct. 2, 2011

As the Ramos and Barnes families marked the second anniversary of the accident that nearly cost Juliana Ramos her life, Patch tells their stories through a series of exclusive videos, culminating in a one-on-one interview with Juliana. 

This video was designed to serve as a preview for the 2 Years Later series, but readers seemed to enjoy it even as a standalone article.

And the title of Oak Forest Patch Most Read Story of 2011 goes to ...

1.

Published Oct. 17, 2011

Whether her family was ready or not, Juliana Ramos was. Two weeks after the two-year anniversary of the car crash that rendered her disabled, Oak Forest Patch released a video interview in which Ramos, her mother Janet Spencer Barnes and her fiancé Chris Medina publicly admitted that Ramos had been drinking before getting behind the wheel of her car the night of her accident Oct. 2, 2009. Her Blood Alcohol Content was twice the legal limit of .08.

The family received Ramos' BAC results in the spring, but felt the information was Ramos' to disclose, and that she would do so on her own terms, they told Patch. In a video interview with Patch, Ramos passionately warned Patch readers, and her loyal fans and supporters not to drink and drive. She asked that readers not be angry with her for her error in judgment—that she's paying for it every day.

If you haven't already, you can watch the video:


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