UPDATED, Jan. 3: Every December, as the year gives up the ghost, news organizations drone on about their “top stories.”
Well, what puts a story on top? I think it’s hard to know.
For Arlington in 2019, it may have been the ongoing story about Lt. Rick Pedrini or the opposition to zoning changes culminating in a no-action vote last spring. Each has had its own impact.
Patch provides a list without defining what a “big story” is: See some here>>
YourArlington published all those listed, sometimes providing a first report and the basis for Patch. You can expect a similar listing in The Advocate.
I decided to leave the issue up to the numbers — that is, what stories and opinion pieces received the most total hits in 2019? Here are the revised answers:
Top-10 news stories
1.) 8,224: Rediscover Mill Brook via video, Old Schwamb exhibit; written by freelancer Judith Pfeffer
2.) 4,028: Police say 2nd suspicious Lake St. fire hits home/chabad
3.) 3,796: Second AHS rebuild forum draws estimated 200 — 25 with questions
4.) 3,770: A special election: AHS rebuild, override OK’d with strong support
5.) 3,767: Vote deadline passes for new Arlington High School ‘A‘
6.) 3,599: 2 Mass. Ave. eating options OK’d: Bakehouse to take Bagels By Us space; written by freelancer Susan Gilbert
7.) 3,587: Center’s new CBD store touts health without high
8.) 3,580: Two marijuana-shop proposals get go-ahead
9.) 3,577: LONG-LASTING BLOOD: Arlington entrepreneur seeks funding for cryopreservation
10.) 3,339: Mill Pond Pond Park dedicated, and Fitzmaurice draws honor
Top-10 opinion pieces (corrected)
1.) 12,928: Letters: 4 on Tuesday’s ballot questions
2.) 10,643: 9th annual Arlington International Film Festival (numbers combimes for two ongoing columns in 2019)
3.) 7,133: New site design spurs plea
4.) 6,336: Build Arlington’s Future kicks off yes-vote drive
5.) 5,559: Do you support, oppose rebuilding AHS? Why?
6.) 4,800: Are we in a real-estate market slowdown? Locally, not yet; written by real estate column by Steve Poltorzycki
7.) 4,607: A senior on a ‘fixed income’ endorses 2 yes votes
8.) 4,478: Zoning for sustainability, resilience in Arlington
9.) 4,311: What further should the town do after officer’s harsh words?
10.) 4,261: ‘We love you. We will always be here.’ AHS graduation speeches
This listing was published Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, and updated Jan. 3, to correct listing.
