Patch is wrapping up its first full calendar year of covering all the news, events and topics in Havre de Grace. So now we'll take the opportunity to reflect on the year that was.

Here are the stories that grabbed headlines in June 2011:

• Patch was on hand as Havre de Grace High School honored a talented group of seniors at the annual senior awards ceremony.
• Authorities advise against swimming in the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay following Michael Sawyer's drowning.
• Sawyer's girlfriend and others headed to Little Rock for his funeral. Hope Ford, Sawyer's girlfriend, was among 164 graduates. She wanted to write a message thanking Sawyer, but was denied by Principal Patricia Walling. Havre de Grace put up a "No Swimming" sign where Sawyer drowned. A memorial was held in Havre de Grace at the same time as Sawyer's funeral. Patch was there to shoot photos and video of the ceremony. A cross was erected where Sawyer drowned. Patch profiled "the swimming hole."
• Patch shot photos of the 2011 graduation ceremony, and video of the Silly String celebration at the end of the ceremony.
• A Havre de Grace resident created "Operation Orange" to get Orioles fans to Camden Yards.
• Toll hikes were proposed. Locals pushed back at a rally in Perryville. Businesses said they would suffer. Havre de Grace City Council called a special session to discuss the proposed toll increases, and an anti-toll-hike resolution was passed. A Bridge Walk between Havre de Grace and Perryville was postponed. Aberdeen also opposed the toll hikes. The Havre de Grace Activity Center hosted a public hearing on the proposed hikes.
• Relay for Life was held at James R. Harris Stadium.
• Havre de Grace's Dr. Frederick Joseph Hatem died.
• A funnel cloud was reportedly spotted in Harford County.
• The Warriors landed 15 spring sports student-athletes on all-division teams.
• A toddler was rushed to a local hospital after a near drowning.
• Havre de Grace High School's Richard Holly retired after 42 years.
• Billee Smith was named president of Havre de Grace Main Street.
• Renovations began at Havre de Grace's Royal Farms.
• The cornerstone was set at St. John's Commons.
• City Council approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2012.
• Darlington held its independence parade and fireworks. Patch caught the grand finale on video.
• The Havre de Grace independence carnival rolled into town.

Check back with Patch later Wednesday for the top stories of July 2011. Have a suggestion or want to blog for Patch? Email editor Sean Welsh or leave a comment below.

January   |   February   |   March   |   April   |   May   |   June   |   July   |   August   |   September   |   October   |   November   |   December