Best of 2011: Top News Stories

In the news this year, there were developments, new businesses, great people and weather drama. But over the ourse of the year, seven stories caught our readers' eyes more than any other news.

7. Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene brought strong winds and rain to Northwest Philadelphia and the areas nearby. Roads flooded, trees fell and power went out all over the east coast. Here was our minute-by-minute coverage of the hurricane:

6. Openly Gay Professor Let Go from Chestnut Hill College

In February, the Reverand James St. George, an openly gay professor at Chestnut Hill College was let go.

5. Former Borders Finally Leased

The gem of Chestnut Hill retail will no longer be retail. The news broke in October that Children of America would be the new tenant for the building at Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike.

4. Student Reports Rape at Chestnut Hill College

Campus security reports show four rapes on the campus since 2008, and the latest one occurred in December of 2011.

3. Blockbuster closes

Chestnut Hill lost both of its video rental shops this year, with the TLA closing in January, and Blockbuster closing in April.

2. Chestnut Hill Post Office Robbed at Gunpoint

In March, the Post Office on Germantown Avenue was robbed at gunpoint. Only a handful of post offices are robbed each year, nationwide, according to the U.S. Postal Inspector on the case.

1. Professor Commits Suicide at Chestnut Hill College

Conflicting reports of this event came out early after the suicide at Chestnut Hill College.