More Area Homes Sell in 2011 Than 2010 (Jan. 23) 238 Wheaton Seniors Named Illinois State Scholars (Feb. 8) Wheaton Ranks 4th in State for Energy Savings (Feb. 23) How Area High Schools Fare on a National Stage (May 10) City Bond Refinancing Obtains High Rating (June 24) We All Scream for Ice Cream, But Wheaton Spends More Than Most Towns (July 13) "Forbes" Rates Studio Movie Grill Wheaton as a Theater "Worth Traveling For" (July 16) Wheaton Named a Top Transit Suburb (July 27) Wheaton College is No. 99 in 'Forbes' Top 100 Colleges (Aug. 3) Let Patch save you time. Get stories delivered to …

As we prepare to come up with some solid and promising New Year's resolutions, it's natural to do a bit of self-reflection on what we've accomplished and experienced in the past year. Some years aren't full of milestones. Some are meant for getting life back on track or simply staying the course. The year I graduated from DePaul, I had graduated, gone to the Olympics, started a relationship, gotten my first job, my first car, my first apartment and my first student loan statement. It was the year of firsts, I guess—it seems that's probably the case for most college grads. This year, I went on…

As we head into the new year, Wheaton residents can expect quite a few new businesses to pop up around town.  Arguably the biggest development underway is Mariano's Fresh Market at 625 Main St., the former Hubble/Wheaton Central school site. Developers predict the store will open in October 2013. Bricks Pizza, set to open this fall and delayed to mid-December, should open early 2013 and Warren's Ale House, also set to open in fall 2012, should also be open early in the new year. Aveda, 109 N. Main St. should open in 2013 after a few delays in fall 2012. City officials say Aveda owners still …

From resale clothing stores to a national movie theater chain, Wheaton's economic development department has been busy bringing new businesses to town in 2012.  Billy's Closet with pieces by designers Armani, Christian Dior and Ralph Lauren lining the walls. Five Guys burgers opened at 141 Danada Square East in the spring. Fashion jewelry chain Charming Charlie opened its doors at 261 Town Square Wheaton in May. Movie theater and restaurant Studio Movie Grill opened in Rice Lake Square on June 8, becoming Wheaton's only movie theater and one of 10 destination theaters in a Forbes' list of "…

Former Wheaton College Professor's Child Porn Case Former Wheaton College professor Donald Ratcliff has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of child pornography possession and three weapons-related charges after police found the materials on his computer in March. At a March 8 hearing, prosecutors offered a detailed overview of materials recovered from computers and DVDs at Ratcliff's home after investigators tracked downloads of child pornography to his computer. Among the five computer hard drives and hundreds of DVDs recovered, investigators found images and videos of child rape, fondling …

Megan Boken Murder The two men charged with the Aug. 18 murder of Megan Boken, a St. Francis and St. Louis University alum, will be on trial. Keith Esters, 18, of Bel Ridge, MO, reportedly admitted he was involved in the shooting of Boken. His accused accomplice, Johnathan Perkins, told police he agreed to drive Esters to St. Louis for a robbery. Perkins allegedly stopped the car to let Esters out for the robbery. He then allegedly parked the car within sight of the shooting, waited for Esters and drove him away from the scene.  According to the statement, Esters told police he saw Megan …

Below are the 25 most-read stories on Wheaton Patch in 2012: 25. Coyotes Spotted in Wheaton: Where You've Seen Them 24. 10 Highest Paid Wheaton Park District Employees 23. Wheaton Prostitution, Murder, Overdose Death Cases and More Return to Court 22. What is it About Wheaton Football? 21. Wheaton Woman Convicted of Prostitution 20. 20 Highest Paid City of Wheaton Employees 19. UPDATED: Police Investigate "Car Surfing" Accident, Vehicle Passengers Uninjured 18. VIDEO: Watch Wheaton North vs. Glenbard West Live 17. Coyote Attacks Dog Let Patch save you time. Get stories delivered to your inbox…