ST. GEORGE – With a new year upon us, St. George News is looking back at 2012. What incidents impacted readers? Which topic sparked their interest? Below are some that stand out based on most reads during the 2012 year period.

Highly read stories of 2012

Vehicle arson in Middleton leaves LDS missionaries puzzled: Two LDS missionaries were awakened in the middle of the night to some unfortunate news: Their car was on fire. Read the full story here.

What the HAYnes: Why are Mormons so hot?: This question, asked by St. George News humor columnist Elise Haynes, prompted some interesting results on Google – and some equally interesting reactions from our readers. Read the full story here.

Paired accidents on I-15’s Black Ridge, critical injuries: One accident on I-15 indirectly led to another on Oct. 12, 2012, as the first car hydroplaned, striking the guardrail. As traffic slowed for the first accident, a second car impacted the back end of a semi-trailer and another vehicle. Two individuals were air-lifted with critical injuries. Read the full story here.

Crisis on I-15: Jason Alley led police on a chase from La Verkin to I-15 on Feb. 6, 2012. Police forced Alley to stop on I-15, triggering a 10-hour standoff that ultimately ended without incident. He was armed with a pistol and also had two of his sons in the vehicle. Read the full story here.

Solar viewing glasses; dates with the sun eclipse your vision: Southern Utah was the destination of choice in May 2012 for people traveling to see the Ring of Fire, a celestial event in which the moon crosses in front of the sun and eclipses all but the fiery outer rim. However, in order to see the event, you had to get yourself a special pair of sunglasses… Read the full story here.

Las Hurdes townhomes flooded: Like Santa Clara months later, excessive rains led to the flooding of the Las Hurdes Townhomes in St. George on July 15, 2012. Devastated tenants were forced to flee. Read the full story and see the photo gallery here.

Fatal SUV accident in Warner Valley: An overturned SUV was discovered in Warner Valley in the early hours of Sept. 22, 2012. It ran off a cliff, killing two and injuring another. Read the full story here.

Vehicle theft spurs high-speed chase, ends in shooting: A female suspect, later identified as Joann Boone, managed to steal a K-9 police unit on Nov. 19, 2012 and led authorities on a high-speed chase that ended at a gas station in Hurricane where she was shot in the thigh. Read the full story here.

Santa Clara flood: Caused by the breaching of a 90-year-old dike, the flooding damaged over 60 homes and 18 businesses. Thousands of volunteers came out to help clean up in the wake of the flooding, and Gov. Gary Herbert also toured the affect area soon after.  Read the  full story here.

Missing: Dylan Redwine: Dylan Redwine, 13, who disappeared from his father’s house in Bayfield, Colo., Nov. 19, 2012. is still missing and the investigation that began as a search and rescue is now characterized as a criminal investigation.  The boy has extended family in La Verkin. Read the full story here.

Airplanes, airport and airline stories. Four young men were lost to a plane crash in St. George on May 26, four were lost to a plane crash in Kane County on May 29, and a SkyWest employee on administrative leave  fleeing homicide charges in Colorado broke into St. George Municipal Airport, took control of a SkyWest plane, caused destruction and ultimately took his own life.

Wildfires were plenty if not unusual. The New Harmony fire took homes and outbuildings; and the Shingles fire in Kane County burned over 8,000 acres threatening several subdivisions.

Community issues have impassioned polarized positions. Two such continue into the new year: Dixie State College’s consideration of a new name, St. George’s ambulance service contract considerations generating a heated contest for territory.

•••

Sports of all stripes, from high school playoffs to the Huntsman World Senior Games, capture the community’s interest. And with the addition of sports editor Andy Griffin and comprehensive game-by-game Region 9 coverage,  St. George News has brought these athletic events to life like never before.

Most-read sports stories of 2012

Ironman swimmers caught in rough water: The first leg of the 2012 Ironman St. George triathlon nearly turned deadly when swimmers were caught in rough water at Sand Hollow Reservoir. Dozens had to be rescued by boat. Read the full story here.

2012 Ironman St. George wrap-up: Following a brutal day of competition, Ben Hoffman was crowned the 2012 Ironman with a time of 9 hours, 7 minutes, while Meredith Kessler was the top female finisher. Read the full story here.

Blue Blood: Hill has the Cougars back on track: In October, sports columnist Scott Young observed that BYU quarterback Taysom Hill will give the Cougars their best chance at beating USU in a tough battle. Read the full story here.

Local runner Amber Green wins the St. George Marathon: St. George resident Amber Green won the women’s division of the 36th annual St. George Marathon, crossing the finish line with a jubilant smile and head held high. Read the full story here.

National Signing Day draws young football, soccer hopefuls: Promising athletes from Region 9 high schools gathered for National Signing Day to commit themselves to playing for colleges across Utah and the country. Read the full story here.

Candlelight vigil held for Kreg Harrison, Jr.: Hundreds of students, faculty, family and friends memorialized Kreg Harrison, Jr., the 16-year-old Snow Canyon High School student who lost his life in Havasupai Canyon, Ariz., in June with a candlelight vigil. Read the full story here.

Dixie State College baseball coach gets another shot at BYU: Coach Mike Littlewood was given another shot at his dream job for BYU in June. Read the full story here.

Senior Games: Women’s softball teams triumph after tragedy: At the 2012 Huntsman World Senior Games, two women’s softball teams triumphed after each lost a beloved member of their team. Read the full story here.

DSC baseball coach Mike Littlewood lands his dream job: After being passed over for the position 13 years previously, coach Mike Littlewood was accepted as the new leader of BYU’s baseball program, with Dixie State left to fill the void left by him. Read the full story here.

Pickleball fever stirs pleas for city courts: The popularity of pickleball in Washington County prompted the City of St. George to build a new 24-court complex and the City of Ivins to consider building courts. Read the full story here.

•••

St. George News Editor-in-Chief Joyce Kuzmanic and Assistant Editor Mori Kessler contributed to this story.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @JoyceKuzmanic

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.