ASHLAND — Traditionally, news organizations like Ashland Source put together end-of-the-year lists featuring the most popular stories of the past 365 days.
And unfortunately as sure as those childhood holiday traditions that your parents still enforce on you and your adult siblings, the top stories are bad news.
Yes, it’s the easiest way to track our reach. Yes, we think it’s depressing, too. And yes, if you love crime — fear not — we’ll still publish this list on Dec. 31.
But we want to publish something more alongside it because here at Ashland Source, we think news is more than page views and passive clicks on headlines that scream bad news. We aim to actively engage with and listen to our readers instead.
Readers, our request from you is this: Tell us, what is your favorite good news story from 2019? (Scroll to the bottom.)
Maybe it’s how your son’s team won their football game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Maybe it’s a new restaurant? Or just a story that tugged on your heartstrings?
Maybe it was written by Ashland Source? Or maybe another news outlet? Maybe it’s just a fond memory you’d like to share?
If it’s a news story, include the link if you can, or describe it the best you can. I’ll do my best to find it and feature it.
And to help you further draw some inspiration, here are five good, had-a-positive-impact news stories among our top 15 most popular stories in the past year. They are listed by popularity.
5. Northwestern teacher sings school closing parody
The video features Woodring at his desk, belting out made up lyrics to “It’s too cold for school” to the tune of the “Friends” theme song, “I’ll be there for you.”
4. Kroc Center expansion to feature indoor water park
The new water park and fitness facility will be open year-round for community members of all ages.
3. Ashland mom raises $5,000 to wipe out student lunch debt
Ashland mom Nichole Aber said she decided to start the fund after comparing notes with other parents and learning several of their kids had similar experiences to that of her sixth grade son.
2. Ashland man paints butterfly wings as tribute to daughter, for suicide awareness
Positioned next to a set of angel wings that Rafael Serrano painted last summer at 100 W. Main St, the new butterfly wings outside of the Fig and Oak gift shop are a tribute to his 23-year-old daughter, who died Wednesday, Nov. 27.
1. Local enthusiasm brings Chick-Fil-A food truck to Ashland
Brian Wellman, owner and operator of the Strongsville Chick-fil-A, told local leaders that rarely a week goes by when he doesn’t receive a request from an Ashland resident asking him to open a location in Ashland.
