The year 2012 seems highlighted by tragedies, both nationally and here at home. Gainesville’s reaction to the Newtown, Conn., shooting wasn’t one of the most read stories of the year, but a boat wreck that killed two Buford boys did make the list as it attracted national attention to Lake Lanier as authorities searched for days for one of the bodies. Of course the year also saw a hot election season highlighted by a controversial transportation tax vote and a number of tight local races.