The year 2010 was a busy one for North Georgia with Gainesville's Nathan Deal running for and winning the top seat in the state, scandal over the location of a North Hall library and Gainesville's move to a new public safety facility. But those weren't the most popular stories on gainesvilletimes.com.
The most-clicked on stories of the year point to an interest in breaking cops news and the strange, such as the zebra-donkey hybrid born this year at a local zoo. Of course, with the nature of the Web, links shared across the state and the world can boost some stories' views.
The following are the year's Top 10 stories as determined by the number of clicks they garnered.
1. Autopsies being performed on Schaefer, husband after apparent murder-suicide
Autopsies being performed on Schaefer,
husband after apparent murder-suicide
In March, former state Sen. Nancy Schaefer and her husband, Bruce, were found shot to death in an apparent murder-suicide at their Habersham County home.
The breaking story was the most-clicked on for 2010, but a follow-up story revealing that Bruce was the shooter, along with other details, also ranked high in clicks.
A prominent conservative Republican, Nancy Schaefer, 75, was known as a vocal opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage. She was elected to the state Senate in 2004 and served two terms, but she made several unsuccessful bids for public office prior to that.
2. Zebra, donkey hybrid born in Dahlonega
In July, a zedonk captured the hearts of local residents and those across the country and world.
The animal was born at the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve near Dahlonega. The Times story was picked up by Associated Press and soon traveled across the globe, putting a spotlight on the small, mostly volunteer-run zoo in Northeast Georgia.
Preserve owner C.W. Wathen said the baby's instincts revealed its zebra heritage, along with the stripes on its legs.
3. Man arrested in connection with kettle theft
At the start of this holiday season, a man hired to ring a Salvation Army bell for donations was accused of taking off with the money he collected in his first day on the job.
Ernest Andrea Jackson, 41, who also goes by the name Ernest Andrea Mize, was charged with theft by taking after Gainesville officers found him at the Kangaroo Express gas station at College Avenue and E.E. Butler Parkway around 3:45 a.m. Dec. 7.
Oakwood police began looking for Jackson on Dec. 6 when Salvation Army officials reported the theft.
4. Icy weather caused more than 100 wrecks on Hall County roads
A mix of rain, sleet and freezing rain caught Northeast Georgia and other parts of the state off guard earlier this month.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office worked 101 weather-related wrecks since 6 p.m. Dec. 15, spokesman Col. Jeff Strickland said the morning of Dec. 16.
Eighteen of the wrecks involved injuries, none serious, and 95 of them occurred before 6 a.m., Strickland said.
5. 11 charged in gang fight, left 1 man dead
In June, a fight between alleged members of three gangs left a 23-year-old Gainesville man dead.
One defendant was sentenced in November; others are still in custody awaiting trials.
Daniel Adame was pronounced dead at Northeast Georgia Medical Center after the early morning fight between members of La Onda, BOE-23 and SUR-13 Latino street gangs.
Juan Francisco Villanueva, who police say is a member of BOE-23, is charged with felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Police say he used a minivan to run over Adame, a member of SUR-13.
6. Body found in Lake Lanier identified
In September, Hall County Sheriff's officials found a body in Lake Lanier near Bells Mill Bridge on U.S. 129. It was later determined to be that of David A. West, 45, of Gainesville.
An autopsy confirmed that no foul play was suspected, Col. Jeff Strickland said at the time.
7. Man shot to death in North Hall park
On Valentine's Day, a Snellville man was shot to death at a remote park in North Hall.
The breaking news story with few details was the most-viewed, though more information was released in the following days and weeks.
The man, Richard Schoeck, had been shot several times, and his wife, Stacey Schoeck, was arrested months later on suspicion of paying as much as $10,000 to have her husband killed.
Hall County sheriff's investigators alleged that Schoeck and a co-worker, Lynitra Ross, arranged for Ross' friend Reginald Coleman to commit the murder.
8. Movie to shoot Friday in Gainesville
In April, Hall County got part of its share in a trend of Hollywood producers shooting movies in the state of Georgia because of tax incentives.
A scene from "Hall Pass," which stars Owen Wilson and Christina Applegate, was shot at the Gainesville Days Inn.
The Gainesville scene shows Applegate and a college baseball team at the hotel's pool, said Tracy Whitmire of Gainesville's communications and tourism office.
The movie is set to release in theaters on Feb. 25.
9. Winter storm warning, icy roads force schools to close
Weather stories are updated throughout the day, and often garner quite a few page views. A winter storm warning in March ranks as No. 10. The storm forced schools to close as ice made road conditions hazardous.
An estimated 2-3 inches of snow accumulated from the storm.
10. Woman critically injured at Graves campaign event
In August, a tragic golf cart accident at a campaign event injured two and eventually proved fatal for one Gainesville woman.
At the private Gainesville event for 9th District U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, a golf cart's brakes failed with five people on board.
Witnesses said the cart was going about 35 mph or more down the hill when it crashed, spinning then overturning and sending the occupants flying out.