Malden's Top 25 Headlines of 2012: #20-16

It's that time of year again.

As 2012 draws to a close, Malden Patch will spend the last week before the holidays reviewing some of the year's top stories - five a day through Friday. 

While we employed no rigid statistical model in determining which stories made the cut, factors included an article's page views, its level of reader comments and general newsworthiness. .

20. Residents Form Union To Fight 22%-58% Rent Hikes: Residents in both Malden and Medford formed a tenant's union to fight large increases in rent after their properties were purchased by Allston-based Alpha Management. The cases remain in litigation. 

19. Teen Center Opens to Cheers:The teen center, an early initiative of the Christenson Administration, opened it's doors in December. 

18. Nearly 400 Speak Out Against MBTA Cuts in Malden: Hundreds of residents turned out to criticize proposed cuts in MBTA service in the city. Ultimately, many of the proposed cuts were shelved, though some fare increases were implemented. 

17. Famed Malden Catholic Hockey Coach Dies: Chris Serino, 63, had stepped aside from the program after his diagnosis last November, according to the Boston Herald. The team would later become the season's Super 8 Champions, dedicating their season to their coach and saluting him on a memorable photograph from the floor of the TD Garden. 

16. Malden Coyote Shot By Police Near Mill St.: A coyote spotted near schools was a hot topic of conversation this year. Police ultimately shot the animal after it was found in a residential garage.