Yet food takes the cake, according to online readers
Clint Riese
News Editor
Crime, traffic, tragedy. The articles registering the most clicks at ForestLakeTimes.com in 2013 are varied in nature. But one story line has trumped them all, by a wide margin, and it speaks to an issue that unfailingly sparks conversation and gossip in any town: dinner.
1.) “FL gets seat at head table”
Posted: Feb. 6. Views: 4,455
The excitement created by the February announcement that Acqua of Forest Lake would open in the former Lake House building on Second Lake’s Willow Point reflected online. The article breaking the news attracted 4,455 page views, or 53 percent more than the runner-up. Restaurateur Daron Close and his associates opened the offshoot of their acclaimed White Bear Lake dining destination in April.
2.) “Scenes from FL’s Independence Day Parade”
Posted: July 4. Views: 2,922
A fixture in Forest Lake history made its mark on the ECM Publishers computer servers this year. A gallery of photos from the Fourth of July Parade put on by the American Legion recorded the second-most page views. Parade-goers were treated to great weather and entertainment by a school band from Norway during the 89th annual Independence Day celebration.
3.) “Columbus woman charged with second-degree murder”
Posted: April 10. Views: 2,647
Readers turned to the web for updates regarding the murder of a St. Paul man whose body was found on a Columbus street April 1. Nou Zong Lee, of Columbus, faces second-degree murder charges in the death of Doua Yang, a 50-year-old man from Vadnais Heights. A contested omnibus hearing is scheduled for January, at which time a trial date may be set.
4.) “Three-vehicle crash closes 61”
Posted: Jan. 4. Views: 2,466
A 15-year-old boy from Pine City passed away Jan. 8 following a three-vehicle accident on Highway 61 on Jan. 3. Bryce Koenig was on his way to Believer’s Boxing Gym at Maranatha Assembly of God when the car he was a passenger in was struck by two vans.
5.) “Benefit will help FL native face his toughest opponent”
Posted: Sept. 11. Views: 2,330
A well-known and well-liked man in the local hockey community is facing pancreatic cancer, but he’s not doing it alone. A benefit for Joe Mertes in September packed Stella’s on 97. Funds were also raised through the “Big Joe” Hockey Tournament. A former Ranger, Mertes is a longtime youth hockey coach. The father of four continues to update his page at CaringBridge.org. He underwent his ninth round of chemotherapy this month, then enjoyed a week off from it to spend time with family over the holidays.
6.) “Scandia mourns loss of fireman John Larson”
Posted: Feb. 28. Views: 2,259
Nine-year Scandia Fire & Rescue veteran John Larson, 42, died Feb. 28 following a vehicle collision on Highway 36 in Lake Elmo. The father of three was a rescue training captain with the fire department. It was only the second time an active member of the department died, and the first due to an accident.
Savelkoul
7.) “He could never forget Marines left in Vietnam”
Posted: May 22. Views: 2,030
Cliff Buchan’s feature on former Marine Jeff Savelkoul attracted more than 2,000 online views. After surviving a helicopter crash in Vietnam 46 years ago, the East Bethel resident made it his mission in recent years to recover the remains of the five members of his Third Reconnaissance Battalion striker team who perished in the crash. His work paid off, as the remains were returned to the United States for proper burial.
8.) “Roundabout to be reduced to one lane”
Posted: June 12. Views: 1,682
Just when it appeared safe to move on from discussion and debate regarding the roundabout at the downtown intersection of Broadway Avenue and Lake Street, the Minnesota Department of Transportation decided to alter it from two lanes to one, citing high rates of fender-benders. The single-lane model is designed to lessen confusion. The restriping occurred in August at MnDOT’s expense.
9.) “Alleged armed robber foils own getaway”
Posted: June 19. Views: 1,671
Take a much-discussed store, add an armed robbery and sprinkle in a blundered getaway, and the result is an irresistible story. That’s exactly what happened in June, when a St. Croix Falls, Wis., man hit Dazy Maze, the now-closed hippie-themed store on Lake Street. Matthew Millermon made off with cash and merchandise, but then went shopping at Target, where he forgot his wallet in a cart. The mistake helped Forest Lake police crack the case. Millermon last week pled guilty to first-degree aggravated robbery.
10.) “Senior takes stand with positive message”
Posted: Nov. 13. Views: 1,624
A feel-good story rounds out the top 10. Forest Lake High School came together in November in an attempt to weed out usage of the word “retard.” The effort stemmed from an all-school assembly organized and hosted by senior Rachel Huset. She came upon the idea through her relationship with a special needs elementary student and her interactions in the unified basketball program she started at the high school last school year.
Other top story lines
Articles regarding the ongoing lawsuit against the city and Economic Development Authority ranked 12th, 26th, 89th and 91st. The hiring of former offensive coordinator Jeff Wilson as head football coach and demotion of Billy Kirch after two seasons at the helm ranked 32nd, the highest position for a sports article. The city’s crackdown on the sale of drug paraphernalia was detailed in articles ranking 27th and 38th in page views.