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Rye's Top Ten Stories of 2011

RYE, N.Y. - As we turn the page on 2011, the Daily Rye is looking back, in no particular order, at the top ten stories of the past year. Be on the lookout as we recap and update the top stories in Rye in 2011 in the coming days.

Hurricane Irene Strikes Rye

Hurricane Irene wreaked havoc on most of the Eastern seaboard in late August, knocking out power and causing thousands upon thousands of dollars in damages. It was so major that it got New York State Govenor Andrew Cuomo to declare a state of emergency before the storm even hit.

First Gay Marriage in Rye

John Victor Self and Chris Fraley shared their first kiss as husband and husband after City of Rye marriage officer Susan Morison made their union official July 24th, the same day the Marriage Equality Act went into effect. Self and Fraley's union made them the a same-sex couple to marry in Rye.

Rye Remembers 9/11

Residents gathered outside a half-mast flag to remember the ten year anniversary of 9/11. Fifteen of the 3,000 people who lost their lives were from Rye.

Superintendent Shine Announces Retirement

After fifteen years as Rye's Superintendent Edward Shine, 68, announced that he will be stepping down in June of 2012. Rye schools are considered some of the best in the nation with Rye High School ranking number 50 in Newsweek's 2011 list of top 100 schools.

Rye Mayor French Under Investigation

Rye Mayor Douglas French ran into a pair of problems regarding a rental property he owns on Richard place in Rye. The property is currently under investigation for building violations by City Manager Scott Pickup. Public records also implicate an illegal tax exemption on the property as well.

Rye Building Inspector Dies

The City of Rye's building inspector Vincenzo Tamburro died suddenly on Wednesday, August 31st at the age of 48.As building inspector, Tamburro was heavily involved in helping residents to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene.

Plane Crashes Near Westchester Airport

A small airplane crashed near the Westchester County airport on Saturday, June 16th killing four. The victims were identified as Keith Weiner, 63, Lisa Weiner, 51, Isabel Weiner, 14, and Lucy Walsh, 14 of Manhattan.

The Halloween Snowstorm

Trick or snow? The Halloween snowstorm left many Westchester and Connecticut residents without power for days, and Rye was no different. Although Rye didn't catch the brunt of the storm, it still left 231 residents without power in addition to the Middle School and High School.

Children's Museum at Rye Playland

The Westchester County Board of Legislators unanimously approved a 10-year lease for the Westchester Children's Museum at Rye Playland's North Bathhouse. The museum secured a physical space 10 years after it was conceived, but it may take another two years or so to officially open.

Muslim Protests at Rye Playland

A dispute over Playland’s policy of prohibiting headgear on several rides led to the arrest of 15 Muslim-Americans and left two park rangers injured in August. The incident started as a private argument between customers who had been denied access to certain rides for wearing hijabs, traditional headscarves for Muslim women.

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