Oyster Bay's Top Headlines of 2012

A tragic accident kills a toddler. A step forward in the restoration of a national historic site. A shoreline town recovers after a devastating hurricane.

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Oyster Bay had a busy 2012 with hundreds of headlines topping Patch's homepage. Here are the top stories of 2012:

Boy Struck by Fence at Ransom Beach Dies

Nassau County Police and local fire responders headed to the beach at about 4:55 p.m. Monday to reports of a child in traumatic arrest, police said. Responders reported that an 18-month-old boy struck in the head by an unattached chain link fence that he was playing near, police reported. The fence fell on the child and caused a serious laceration to his head, said police.

Lifeguard Recounts Tragedy at Ransom Beach

Jennifer Schieferstein sat quietly on a curb under a gray sky in the calm Ransom Beach parking lot Tuesday afternoon, occasionally surveying a nearby set of picnic tables. Less than 24 hours before in that exact spot, the recent James Madison University graduate's afternoon walk with her mother and dog turned into a rescue attempt.

Company Selected for Sagamore Hill Restoration

E&A Restoration Inc. will be responsible for restoring Theodore Roosevelt's summer White House, Sagamore Hill. The National Park Service agreed to a $7.2 million contract with the Syosset company for a two-year restoration, according to Newsday.

Body of Woman Found in Oyster Bay Cove

Police and marine units responded to Gracewood Association beach off Cove Neck Road in Oyster Bay Thursday after receiving reports of a body floating off shore, said authorities. Oyster Bay Fire Department recovered the body of an unknown woman visible from a private beach on Cove Neck Road, just feet from the Sagamore Hill site, confirmed police.

A Mill Neck man was arrested in Great Neck Estates Tuesday after breaking into multiple cars and scuffling with a victim inside a garage, according to Nassau County police.

Oyster Bay Ends Threat Rumors

An apparent threat against Oyster Bay High School Wednesday turned out to be just a rumor, according to OBEN administrators.

Oyster Bay officials confirmed that they had investigated an apparent threat of violence against the school and discovered it was merely a rumor. The story spread that a threat had been made on Facebook.

Hurricane Sandy Ravages Bayville

Collapsed roads, flooding and a forced evacuation by National Guard troops leave Bayville eerily silent. Twitter users commenting on aftermath.

Oyster Bay's Billy Joel Headlines Sandy Relief Concert

Bruce Springsteen's heart belongs to New Jersey, and Billy Joel is a Long Island boy through and through. Tonight, the Boss and the Piano Man join forces to raise money for the American Red Cross' Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

Officials Sound Off on Security After Newtown

With last week's tragic elementary school shooting in Connecticut still fresh in everyone's minds, Oyster Bay residents and lawmakers are brainstorming updates on school security.

Cleaning Up After Sandy in Bayville

Bayville homeowners returned to badly flooded homes after Hurricane Sandy. Without power four days after the storm, they're still struggling to clean up the mess with the help of friends and the community.