While a newspaper affords a tactile response for a reader, tracking accurate views is difficult. In the virtual world, it’s as easy as checking your Facebook.
The News Herald recently released its Top 10 stories based on what editors and reporters felt were the most important during 2014. The following list is based strictly on online views, which come by way of immediate readings and subsequent looks by way of readers on the site, search engines, news boards and more throughout the year.
The list includes seven crime/police-related stories. These types of articles are typically well-read and proved to be so last year. The list also includes health-related stories, which also are on the top of the public’s interest.
Here are the Top 10 most-viewed stories on newsherald.com in 2014:
10. Chipley High grad drowns: Jordan Rae Nedeau, 20, was found drowned in a submerged vehicle in August. The driver of the car, Jeffrey Rushing, was allegedly intoxicated when he drove the car into Ochlockonee River near Tallahassee and was arrested. --- READ HERE»»
9. PCB spring breaker killed in DUI crash: A deadly wreck involving a teen and a 22-year-old. The teen, Bruce George, killed Brandon Beverly while the latter was driving in a scoot car in panama City Beach. George was sentenced to 10 years in December. --- READ HERE»»
8. Feds serve search warrants on dermatology clinic: A recent story, as Gulf Coast Dermatology was searched by the FBI in mid-December. Reasons for the search were sparse. --- READ HERE»»
7. Five restaurants cited during health inspections: An update on health violations in October. --- READ HERE»»
6. Restaurants reopen after addressing health violations: An earlier report in April on four establishments that later reopened. --- READ HERE»»
5. Bodies found at PCB condo: A Wisconsin couple was found shot to death in a condominium in Panama City Beach. Authorities wouldn’t rule it a “murder-suicide,” but did say the incident was “contained” and there wasn’t a lingering danger to the public. --- READ HERE»»
4. Panama City homicide likely a drug deal gone bad: Five were initially arrested following the incident that left a 20-year-old man dead in July and a sixth was later apprehended. Many of those involved have since been sentenced. --- READ HERE»»
3. Lightning kills K-9 in Panama City Beach: K-9 officer Argo was found dead in his kennel after a storm in August. --- READ HERE»»
2. Fatal shooting may have been accidental: Steven Ayers was killed when a stray bullet struck him in the back of the head in June. Charles Shisler, a neighbor more than 200 feet away, was charged with manslaughter and is awaiting trial after what was believe to be an accidental shooting. --- READ HERE»»
1. Health Department issues swimming advisory at multiple locations: Poor results due to fecal bacteria content tests prompted the Florida Department of Health in Bay County to issue the advisory at affected beaches in May. The six areas weren’t closed to swimming, but officials urged caution before more tests were conducted at a later date. --- READ HERE»»
Top 10 stories of 2014 as determined by our editors and reporters:
- No. 10: Bankers imprisoned in fraud case»»
- No. 9: County studies RESTORE Act funding»»
- No. 8: Area sees wild weather, from ice storm to flooding»»
- No. 7: City establishing plan for bed tax distribution»»
- No. 6: St. Joe closes major land sale, plans huge development»»
- No. 5: Bay economy bouncing back»»
- No. 4: Marina progress»»
- No. 3: Southerland defeated, Fensom victorious in hot elections»»
- No. 2: Series of murders sparks community concern»»
- No. 1: Spring Break battle»»