2013 in Review: Farmers Marketplace Closes, Teachers Strike

As we looked back on the year, we took a look at what some of the most popular stories were in Grayslake.

The stories ranged from the sad (the death of Joey Frase) to the amazing (a bus driver saved a man's life).

Take a look back with us at some of the most-read stories of 2013:

A Life-Saving Bus Driver

One of our most popular stories this year was that of Stephanie McClellan, a Grayslake bus driver who saved a Woodview School parent's life. The story clearly resonated with readers, who offered plenty of "thank you's" to McClellan. A daughter of the man whose life was saved summed it up: "Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Mrs. McClellan—you (are) one hell of a bus driver."

Community Loses 'Nice Kid'

A sad story was also among the most-read stories this year on Grayslake Patch. Joey Frase, who a friend described as "respectful" and "a nice kid," went missing in January 2013. His body was found near Campbell Airport and the Lake County coroner determined Frase died from hypothermia. Frase's family held a winter clothing drive in December in memory of Frase. 

Teachers Go on Strike

After an eleventh-hour negotiating session failed to result in a contract agreement, the Community Consolidated School District 46 teachers went on strike Jan. 16. A tentative agreement was reached days later, and classes resumed Jan. 22. 

Lake Villa Man Goes Missing

A 33-year-old Lake Villa man, Nick Steward, went missing Sept. 20 while driving home from work. Friends and family organized searches for the Libertyville High School grad. Police located his vehicle in Vernon Hills Oct. 3, and his body was found in a nearby field. He died of self-inflicted wounds, according to the Lake County coroner.

Farmers Marketplace Closes

The closure of the Farmers Marketplace grocery store was big news in Grayslake this year. The store, which replaced Piggly Wiggly, closed suddenly Nov. 27. Documents received by Patch showed that store closed by court order.