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What are the top local stories of 2007?
If it's December, it's time for editors around the world to start thinking about the always-fun "Top 10 Stories of the Year" list.It's no different in Lawrence. We're mulling our year-end plans here. But we'd like to hear your takes. What were the top local stories of the year? Why? As an aid, here's a link to the most-viewed local stories at LJWorld.com during 2007. Take a look, then make your case in the comments section.[Former LHS teacher pleads guilty to sex with student][1][School officials respond to bomb threat][2][Buying into the gun culture][3][Police declare 'no evidence of threat' on campus after report of gunman][4][Body found at Yello Sub is identified][5][Two construction workers killed in hit-and-run on U.S. 59; two women taken into custody][6][Sheriff's officer unlocks handcuffed bride, groom][7][Name change sought for holiday, but mayor says it's up to legislators][8][][9] [Unusual hearing follows traffic stop][10][Flood warning issued; North Lawrence watched closely by officials][11]What's missing? What deserves to be ranked higher on the list? Let us know. [1]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/jul/02/former_lhs_teacher_pleads_guilty_sex_student/ [2]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/apr/19/police_investigating_bomb_threats/?breaking [3]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/jul/01/buying_gun_culture/ [4]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/jun/01/police_searching_man_ku_campus_said_have_rifle/ [5]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/jul/16/police_investigate_discovery_body/ [6]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/sep/11/two_reportedly_injured_us_59/ [7]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/may/29/sheriffs_officer_unlocks_handcuffed_bride_groom/?print [8]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/oct/05/name_change_sought_holiday_mayor_says_its_legislat/ [9]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/sep/01/unusual_hearing_follows_traffic_stop/ [10]: http://www.yahoo.com/ [11]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/may/07/rain_forces_road_closures_across_county/?print
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4 December 2007
at 12:07 p.m.
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countrygirl (Anonymous) says…
No mention of the football team? I would have thought that would have been at the top of the list.
4 December 2007
at 12:41 p.m.
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WilburM (Anonymous) says…
Sue Hack, the Commission's violation of open meetings laws, the closed-door decision on Dicephera?
4 December 2007
at 1:05 p.m.
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nekansan (Anonymous) says…
WalMart finally get approval for their 6th & Wakarusa project.
4 December 2007
at 1:18 p.m.
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carolj (Anonymous) says…
How about Guilty in the Jason Allen Rose trial?
4 December 2007
at 1:41 p.m.
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Joel (Joel Mathis) says…
Hi folks:
Good answers. Just to clarify: This is the list of the most-viewed individual stories at LJWorld.com during the year — basically, what's chosen by our readers to read, instead of what editors think are the most important stories. This is just a jumping-off point.
Keep 'em coming!
Joel Mathis
Managing Editor for Convergence
4 December 2007
at 1:56 p.m.
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cellogrl (Anonymous) says…
I'm going to have to say that “Former LHS teacher pleads guilty to sex with student”, “Body found at Yello Sub is identified”, and “Two construction workers killed in hit-and-run on U.S. 59; two women taken into custody” are the 3 above that they mentioned that I feel were the “top stories” partly because they were the most commented on stories. I believe that the Jayhawks football season should have been on there as well.
4 December 2007
at 2:09 p.m.
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Joel (Joel Mathis) says…
DirtyLinen:
Actually, there was only one story in our list that was a big non-Lawrence celebrity story - Paris Hilton going to jail. I omitted it from this list because, as you suggest, that's not really a local news story.
But you and cellogirl raise a good question: How much should the number comments - which are an indicator of community interest, arguably - factor into the editors' choices of Top 10 stories?
4 December 2007
at 2:27 p.m.
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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…
“How much should the number comments - which are an indicator of community interest, arguably - factor into the editors' choices of Top 10 stories”
Very little. Most any of the stories that get commented on over 100 times end up devolving into back and forth name calling between individuals, Girlfriend posting links to trap folks into his spamming operation, or general chit chat (I'm guilty on that one!).
4 December 2007
at 2:50 p.m.
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ontheotherhand (Anonymous) says…
Domestic partner registry was HUGE!
4 December 2007
at 3:06 p.m.
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rumor_man (Anonymous) says…
Elvis Presley spotted at Last Call
4 December 2007
at 3:25 p.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
Dicephera Controversy…
open letter to the city commission
Monday, Dec. 3, 2007 Grassroots Action welcomes the Attorney-General's recent announcement that the Lawrence City Commission violated the Kansas Open Meetings Act when City Commissioners met privately in September to discuss the multimillion dollar tax rebate subsequently awarded to Deciphera Pharmaceuticals. This was the contention of the complaint we filed last month, which the Attorney General has now upheld. But we believe that the proposed remedy does not go far enough.
The Attorney-General is asking the City Commission to admit wrongdoing, vow not to break the law again, and take a refresher course on open government. But the decision reached by the Commission as a result of this unlawful meeting to give a multimillion dollar tax break to a private firm — has been left in place.
We consider this unacceptable. No private decision, reached behind closed doors without public input, should be allowed to stand. The City Commission is obliged to discuss public policy in public, not in private. Commissioners are not authorized to give unannounced tax breaks to private firms without citizen oversight and review.
So we now call upon the City Commissioners to do the right thing. Acknowledge that you violated the law when you met privately to discuss Deciphera's tax break and rescind the decision that you reached, without public input, as a result of this illegal session. Don't just admit guilt, DO something about it.
rescind the decision, rescind the tax break. let deciphera apply for a tax break openly. restart the process and this time listen to the public.
Respectfully,
Grassroots Action
4 December 2007
at 4:04 p.m.
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schweppy (Anonymous) says…
What about the stories involving the proposed Oread Inn?? Also, I agree that the football team needs a spot on the list. The KU gunman on campus seems like a non-story, especially since the majority of students weren't even on campus due to summer break and no one was ever found.
4 December 2007
at 6:38 p.m.
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davisnin (Anonymous) says…
Dicephera, corruption, and the generally unreported cronyism between members of the cc and Mr Fritzel.