2013 was an eventful year for our region.

Here is a look at some of the events:Ross shootingRockne Newell, 59, a disabled junk dealer, is charged with shooting and killing three people at a Ross Township supervisors' meeting.He is charged with killing Gerald J. Kozic, 53, and James V. LaGuardia, 64, both of Saylorsburg, and Ross Township zoning officer David Fleetwood, 62, who was a Chestnuthill Township supervisor.Kozic's wife Linda was severely wounded and faces a long recovery.Police officer diesOn the evening of Oct. 25, 33-year-old Lt. David Midas of Weatherly took his own life in a strange scene that could have been scripted for a movie.The event began to unfold earlier that evening, when the deputy sheriff and part-time Lansford police officer took his friend and fellow officer Chris Ondrus, as well as a Lansford Police cruiser into Jim Thorpe.After a brief time, a scuffle ensued between the pair in the hopes of disarming Midas, but Ondrus was unsuccessful and Midas turned the gun on himself.The Panther Valley alum, who loved to help teach children about the importance of being drug free, left behind his wife, Julie, and their three young sons; as well as his parents, sister and many relatives.Woman killedA 29-year-old woman was killed in an explosion Nov. 4 in Kidder Township. Police identified the woman as Melissa Berwis, 29, of Albrightsville. The injured man was identified as Bruce Barberio, 40, also of Albrightsville.The result of the fire investigation showed a propane gas explosion occurred as a result of a damaged propane line within the crawl space area of the home.The home, at 5 Tobyhanna St. in Lake Harmony Estates was leveled.Country Club closesJust shy of its 100th anniversary, Blue Ridge Country Club in Palmerton closed its doors last month.In October, the club's executive committee announced that the "deed in lieu" has been signed, and the property has defaulted to First Northern Bank. If a buyer is not found, the bank may open the property in spring.The club closed its doors on Nov. 27. The restaurant closed Nov. 17.Landmark store closesSpillane's Variety Store, located at 260 Delaware Ave. in Palmerton, also closed its doors this year.Bill Spillane, 71, announced his retirement in September and merchandise was marked down for a few weeks until the store closed its doors.Jim Thorpe'snamesakeAn ongoing story involves the town of Jim Thorpe and family members of the town's namesake, the Olympic great Jim Thorpe.Three of the late athlete's sons, John Thorpe, William Thorpe, and Richard Thorpe, together with the Sac and Fox Nations of Oklahoma, filed court action in 2012 against the town of Jim Thorpe seeking repatriation of Thorpe's body, buried in a mausoleum in the town.On April 19, Judge A. Richard Caputo sided with the plaintiffs, stating that the town is a "museum" as defined by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.Following a town meeting attended by dozens of people, it was agreed to appeal Judge Caputo's decision. That appeal will be heard Feb. 14 in the U.S. Court of Appeals, Philadelphia.Tax hikeCarbon County residents saw a 48.7 percent tax hike in county real estate taxes in 2013. First tax hike in a decade. Adopted in mid-December 2012 but went into effect Jan. 1. A few days later, the Carbon salary board froze nearly 400 employee salaries because of a nearly $5 million budget deficit.Goodbye recyclingCarbon County ends its blue bin recycling program at 14 sites throughout the county. Commissioners said the elimination of the program will save the county approximately $100,000 annually.Packerton project deniedA Commonwealth Court judge in November upheld a January 2013 ruling that denies Carbon County from developing county roads through the former Packerton Yards site in Mahoning Township and Lehighton.This means that the county may lose nearly $5 million in federal and state funding that has been earmarked for the industrialization of the site.Change in commandFormer Lehighton Chief of Police Neal Ebbert was suspended during a special meeting of Lehighton Borough Council on June 3. Officer Scott Probosnyiak was named officer-in-charge of the department and served until Dec. 21 when another officer, veteran Brian Biechy, was named the new chief of police. The borough council accepted applications in December for the chief of police position and 14 applicants applied. Probosnyiak wasn't one of them.Councilman losesThe District Attorney of Schuylkill County said that councilman David Yelito should step down because of a criminal background, even though it was from years ago. Yelito lost in the November election to retain the seat that he refused to voluntarily leave.LCCC branch movingLehigh Carbon Community College's branch moved from Nesquehoning to Jim Thorpe. The new Carbon site, located in the former west wing of the Jim Thorpe Area High School, will officially open for operation on Jan. 10, 2014.Losing a leaderShock waves reverberated through the Tamaqua area and emotions were raw on Sept. 9 as word reached the streets about the sudden passing of a popular town leader and well-known businessman. Kenneth Smulligan, 66, president of Tamaqua Save Our Station, and past president and current member of Tamaqua Borough Council, passed away unexpectedly at his Hazle Street home.Saving the shelterThe Carbon County Animal Shelter came close to closing. The Carbon County Commissioners said the shelter was expensive to operate and they couldn't afford to keep it going. Citizens rallied and had fundraisers to assist with its operation. The commissioners never did close the kennels.RememberingJennifer BrownThe family of Jennifer Brown remembered their daughter who was murdered in Qatar Nov. 14, 2012. At the one-year anniversary, the family still did not have closure because the man responsible for Brown's murder had not been tried. Trial slated for sometime in January 2014.17-year returnThere were the cicada insects that made their once-in-17-year appearance, to the dismay of homeowners all over the region. They clung to houses, decks and trees.New fire companyPalmerton Borough earlier this month formed the Palmerton Municipal Fire Company and appointed a fire chief and members. Equipment was moved to the new $1.2 million facility at Fifth and Lehigh avenues in the borough.New wastewatertreatment plantPalmerton's state-of-the-art, $10 million wastewater treatment plant has been operational as of January 2013.Parking feecontroversyThe Carbon County Commissioners increased the weekend and holiday parking fee at the county-owned parking lot in Jim Thorpe, doubling it to $10 per day. This sparked an outcry from downtown merchants.Earlier this month, the commissioners voted to reduce the weekend rate from $10 to $6, with the exception of the weekends in October, which will remain as $10, as well as the St. Patrick's Day parade weekend.Bridge projectsIn May, the US209 Bridge Restoration Project kicked into high gear, dividing downtown Tamaqua and rerouting traffic. The 1904 East Broad Street bridge will remain closed until November 2104.Nine houses were demolished to make way for the construction of the new Route 903 bridge in Jim Thorpe. The bridge spans the Lehigh River and connects what is formerly Mauch Chunk with what was once East Mauch Chunk. Earlier this month, a contract totaling $28,183,312.02 was awarded to Allan A. Myers Inc. of Worcester by PennDOT for the project, which is expected to begin this spring.Meanwhile, in Weissport, residents voiced concern about a bridge project occurring over their community. The Thomas J. McCall, Route 209 bridge will be renovated with work already started. By spring, a detour will send the heavy traffic flow presently on the bridge through Weissport. Daily traffic jams are anticipated.