Top 10 News Stories of 2009

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Cool Summer
by Jim Maurice, WJON.com
The average temperature was 65-degrees, which was about 2 1/2 degrees cooler than normal. And for the entire year we only had two days with a high of at least 90-degrees. MORE

Murder in St. Cloud
by Lee Voss, WJON.com
What started as an effort to collect on a drug debt on April 29th, 2009 ended in the murder of a 46-year-old man. MORE

T. Rex exhibit Sue
by Jim Maurice, WJON.com
The Stearns History museum's largest and most ambitious display ever opened on September 20th. Sue is a 42-feet long and 12-feet high T. Rex. MORE

Rocori is 1st case of H1N1
by Terry Lee, WJON.com
An ongoing story this year has been the H1N1 flu virus. But it all began in Minnesota's when the first confirmed case was discovered in Rocort Middle School. MORE

Vice President Biden's visit
by Jim Maurice, WJON.com
Just a few months into the Obama administration's term in office, and the White House announced it was sending Vice President Biden to St. Cloud for a Town Hall Forum. MORE

Rape on the Wobegon Trail
by Lee Voss, WJON.com
On July 28th a 14-year-old Melrose girl was riding her bike on the Lake Wobegon Trail. A man pushed her off her bike and forced her into the ditch and allegedly sexually assaulted her. MORE

Northstar Rail and Link
by Terry Lee, WJON.com
For many Central Minnesota travelers the trip to the Twin Cities got a little easier this year as the Northstar Commuter Rail began service in mid-November. MORE

Delta Leaves St. Cloud
by Lee Voss, WJON.com
The merger between Northwest Airlines and Delta caused the company to pull regional flights from St. Cloud Airport. MORE

Tom Petters found guilty
by Terry Lee, WJON.com
Wayzata business man and St. Cloud raised, Tom Petters, On December 2nd, was convicted of a massive $3.65 billion Ponzi scheme. MORE

Granite City Crossing opens
by Jim Maurice, WJON.com
The new bridge on HWY 23 is finally open. With traffic starting to flow across the Mississippi River at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 29th. MORE

Top Ten Stories of 2008

10). In March emergency personnel rushed to the Rocori school, after several people reportedly got sick in the pool area. However, what exactly happened that day remains a mystery.
9). The accidental shooting death of 19-year-old Cody Waytashek of Royalton.
8). Over 30 local businesses closed their doors in 2008.
7). During the State Legislative session St. Cloud got most of the money they wanted for bonding projects.
6). New St. Cloud public library opens after 3 years of construction
5). Tom Petters Indicted on fraud charges
4).June Shooting at Morrison Co. Courthouse
3). Thirteen year-old Taylor Strand of Sauk Rapids was severly burned in a fire pit accident and many benefits were held for her.
2). Gas Prices Hit All-time High in the summer of 2008
1). Highway 23 bridge closes due to possible problesm with gusset plates

Top 10 Stories of 2007

10). River Bats pitcher Ritchie Gargel dies in a swimming pool accident.
9). After 62 years, O’Hara’s Brew Pub Closes it’s doors.
8). The Mrozek family has quintuplets.
7). 2,600 National Guard Troops return home to Minnesota, after serving 18 months in Iraq.
6). Two high profile murders – Lewis Wilczek and Sheila Chrast.
5). New Sauk Rapids Bridge opens.
4). Gas prices hit a record high of $3.29 a gallon.
3). St. Cloud area sends volunteers to our adopted city of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
2). The State Legislature passes the indoor smoking ban.
1). The Minneapolis Bridge Collapse on August 1st.