Westminster Patch's Most Read Stories of 2011

As we embark on a new year, let's look back at some of the most popular stories on Westminster Patch in 2011.

Osama Bin Laden Dead

Osama Bin Laden, the leader of al Queda and the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., was killed in Pakistan on May 1.

Oneda, Spangler Run Away with Firsts

Winters Mill senior Ryan Spangler took first place in the 1600 at the state track meet in May with a time of 4:16.43. It was the fastest time in the event in all four classes.

Winters Mill junior Hannah Oneda won the 1600 Meter Run with a time of 5:12.96  and the 3200 Meter Run with a time of 11:13.65 in the state track meet in May.

Crazy Maryland Laws that You've Probably Violated

Did you ever look through your husband's pockets while he's asleep? That's illegal. So is taking a lion to the movies in Baltimore City. These crazy Maryland laws caught your eye this year.

Tornadoes Touch Down in Carroll County

Nature provided lots to write about in 2011 with an earthquake, hurricane and record high temperatures over the summer.

Two tornadoes touched down in Carroll County in April as severe weather passed through the area.

Police: Teenager in Finksburg Appears to Have Died of Natural Causes

In early October, the body of 17-year-old Caleb Lee Mott was found in the woods off Sandymount Road in Finksburg. It was later determined that he died of natural causes.

Missing Woman in Aruba has Sykesville Roots

A Maryland woman who went missing in Aruba in August graduated from South Carroll High School in 1994. Robyn Gardner, 35, traveled to Aruba with 50-year-old Gary Giordano whom she met online.

Carroll Citizens Group: 'Carroll County Commissioners Embrace Extreme Political Views'

A citizens group formed to speak out against decisions and policies of the Carroll County commissioners. The group sent a letter to surrounding counties encouraging them not to embrace Carroll County commissioner's "extreme political views" about issues including PlanMaryland.

Carroll County Deals with Power Outages, Road Closings Following Irene

Hurricane Irene left some parts of Carroll County without power for more than a week in late August. Downed trees and debris caused a lot of damage throughout the area and caused delays in restoring power.

Men Walk Main Street in a Painful Fashion (Video)

More than 130 men walked a mile down Main Street in April, donning women's shoes to support the Rape Crisis Intervention Services annual fundraiser, "Walk a Mile in her Shoes."

POLL: Most Significant County Commissioner Decisions in 2011?

This article garnered 112 comments and 69 votes in an unscientific poll asking what the Carroll County commissioner's most significant decisions were in 2011.

Other notable most read articles on Westminster Patch:

• Hampstead Man Dies in Forklift Accident at Random House

• Taco Bell Drive-Through Topic of Committee Meeting

• Man Hit by Train, Police Suspect Suicide

• Live Coverage: Carroll Commissioner's PlanMaryland Forum

• Overturned Tanker Leaks 8,000 Gallons of Fuel in Finksburg