What do you think were the county's biggest stories of 2015?
MERCER COUNTY -- From the Amazon warehouse traffic that gridlocked commuters and residents for weeks during the holiday rush to the pork roll feud that could only happen in Trenton, here are our top 10 stories of 2015 in Mercer County.
Famed architect Michael Graves dies
Michael Graves, the architect who designed unique structures and later household goods sold at Target stores, died in March. He was 80. Graves, who was paralyzed from the chest down since 2003, died of natural causes in his Princeton home.
He designed buildings including the Portland Building in Portland, Ore., and the Humana Building in Louisville, Ky., but also left his mark in New Jersey with designs ranging from office and university buildings to modernist homes and shopping centers.
Trenton Central High School comes tumbling down
Earlier this spring, demolition crews began tearing down Trenton Central High School. The demolition of the school, which first opened on Jan. 4, 1932, will clear the way for a new $130 million building that is being funded by the state Schools Development Authority.
Of the three conceptual designs proposed for the new school, the one dubbed "The Tornado" emerged as the frontrunner among teachers, students and residents and was ultimately chosen by the school board. The sleek design features non-traditional elements and a zigzag roofline that breaks up the facade.
Pork Roll Fest turns into pork roll feud
Trenton's inaugural Pork Roll Festival last year drew 4,000 people to celebrate the city's famous meat. The organizers promised an even better sequel this year, but went their separate ways following a disagreement over money and how it was organized.
The feud escalated when "Trenton Pork Roll Festival 2015" organizer TC Nelson received a cease-and-desist letter from a lawyer for "Official 2nd Annual Pork Roll Festival" organizer Scott Miller, but both went on as planned and attracted large crowds. And for non-pork-roll lovers, a third option emerged in the Vegan Pork Roll Festival.
TCNJ, Trenton mourns loss of former assistant provost
In July, The College of New Jersey community was shaken by the news that former assistant provost Patrick Donohue jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge. Donohue, 50, had retired from his position after nine years at TCNJ on July 1 and 10 days later, his body was found in the Hudson River.
Donohue served as the director of the Bonner Center for Civic and Community Engagement, a service and scholarship program that mobilizes students around community needs, and was remembered as a tireless advocate for Trenton.
In October, some 300 students, staff and faculty took part in a Day of Service to honor him by volunteering at 10 sites in Trenton, Ewing and Lawrence.
TCNJ's $120M Campus Town makes official debut
Years in the making, The College of New Jersey debuted its $120 million mixed-use development this fall. The idea for Campus Town was first aired publicly in 2008 and the New Jersey Economic Stimulus Act of 2009 gave TCNJ the authority to bypass public bidding laws and enter into a partnership with developer PRC Group.
The development, parts of which are still under construction, mixes student apartments with other uses including restaurants and stores that are geared toward both students and others.
Pipelines popping up in Mercer County
As construction progresses on Williams Transco's $650 million, 42-inch pipeline through Princeton and Montgomery, opposition continues to mount against another project.
In September, the PennEast Pipeline Co. filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for authorization to proceed with its project. The 114-mile, 36-inch pipeline, which would stretch from Luzerne County in northeast Pennsylvania to Hopewell Township, has been vehemently opposed by environmental groups, elected officials and residents whose land would be in its path.
Is it time for Hamilton to merge its 9 fire districts?
The state Department of Community Affairs has begun studying Hamilton's fire service to determine whether consolidating its nine fire districts makes sense. The issue has been talked about for years, but a renewed effort began to take shape in the late summer.
In August and September, the fire commissioners at three districts passed resolutions publicly calling for the consolidation of all nine districts into one, unified force.
In early October, the fire unions announced their own plan. Mayor Kelly Yaede then reached out to the state, which agreed to study the issue and make specific recommendations about firehouses, equipment, personnel levels and the most efficient way to organize a new fire service.
N.J. woman chooses to die in the luncheonette she ran for 36 years
It has been almost three years since the lights dimmed on Chubby's Luncheonette in Hopewell Borough, but it was so special to owner Carol "Chubby" Montello that she chose to die in the diner she spent more than three decades running.
In early October, after just five hours in a local hospital, Montello's loved ones arranged to have her hospital bed wheeled into the Railroad Place eatery. The 78-year-old woman spent her final 11 hours at Chubby's.
Princeton students confront university president over racial issues
Princeton University student group, the Black Justice League, and its supporters staged a 32-hour sit-in inside the president's office in November, demanding changes for black students on campus.
The demands included recognizing the "racist legacy" of former school president and U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and doing away with the use of his name on campus; making faculty and staff undergo mandatory cultural competency training; and creating a space for black students on campus.
The protests incited national debate and prompted the university to begin conversations about some of the league's demands.
Amazon's mega warehouse gridlocks traffic in N.J. towns
Early this year, the online retail giant announced plans to hire another 800 employees at its 1.2-million-square-foot fulfillment center in Robbinsville. But as business boomed, so did the traffic outside. This holiday season, an increasing number of complaints and accidents prompted Mayor Dave Fried to call a meeting with Amazon officials. Unsatisfied with their response, the mayor threatened to take them to court over the traffic, but the issue was resolved a day later when Amazon said it would begin staggering shifts to help ease the congestion -- and it appears to have worked.
What do you think were the county's biggest stories of 2015? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be on the lookout for a roundup of the county's top crime stories.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.