People may say they prefer to read happy news, but the numbers don't lie. Stories about weird crime, tragic death and violence were the most-read on Half Moon Bay Patch in 2012.
Here's a recap of the biggest news of the year, judged by how many people clicked through to read the stories.
- Body Washes Ashore at San Gregorio Beach (October 22): A couple walking on the beach stumbled upon the body of a young girl. In the weeks following, two other bodies were found: one in Miramar, the other within Pillar Point Harbor. Two of the three deaths were determined to be suicides.
- Suspect Eludes SWAT Team (November 27): The San Mateo County Sheriff’s SWAT team surrounded an El Granada residence in a standoff that last all day and night in an attempt to apprehend Sammy Turner, who shot his best friend Cody Hassler in the stomach.
- Mountain Lion Cubs Shot by Wardens (December 4): California Department of Fish and Game shot two mountain lions prowling around the downtown area of Half Moon Bay out of concern for public safety. Wardens later regretted shooting them.
- Four Men Stabbed in Half Moon Bay Saturday Night (January 29): Four people were stabbed outside a wedding at IDES Hall in Half Moon Bay.
- Man Stunned with Taser, Arrested After Trying to Leave Scene of Leash Law Violation (January 30): The dog walker in Montara who was tasered by a park ranger last January at the Rancho Corral de Tierra property brought up a lot of issues surrounding leash laws and taser use by the National Park Service. Now attorneys for the taser victim say that the U.S. National Parks Service should pay their client $500,000 for causing injuries and violating his rights.
- Half Moon Bay to Host World's Top Surfers at Mavericks Opening Ceremonies (January 4): Some of the best big wave surfers across the globe converged in Half Moon Bay to paddle out to the big wave break for the opening of the 2011-2012 Mavericks contest window.
- Half Moon Bay 4th of July Fireworks Cancelled (April 27): An inadequate amount of funds were available to hold the July 4 celebration, according to American Legion Coastside Fireworks Committee.
- Half Moon Bay Well Represented at 'Chasing Mavericks' Premiere (October 22): Half Moon Bay’s most prominent residents attended the premiere of the new film "Chasing Mavericks" in Larkspur at the Lark Theater.
- That '70s Reunion: Coming to Half Moon Bay (February 8): The Half Moon Bay High '70s reunion weekend took place over a three-day weekend in July, where high school alum gathered en masse to celebrate a shared and rich history that only Coastsiders can understand.
- Half Moon Bay to be Featured on the Today Show (July 6): Half Moon Bay was featured in the 4th hour of NBC's Today show as part of a program featuring the "Happiest Seaside Towns," according to Coastside Living magazine.
Two runner-up crime stories that garnered a lot of attention are:
Half Moon Bay Man Withheld Toys for Sex
Miramar Man Charged With Arson
Some stories that also got lots of views by Half Moon Bay Patch readers all had something to do with spotting things in the sky:
Where to See Space Shuttle Flyover This Morning
Look Up to See 'Pi in the Sky'
'Super Moon' To Appear Saturday Night
Ready for the Eclipse? View it in Half Moon Bay
Meteor The Size of a Car Hits Bay Area
And the wildcard: Half Moon Bay Pics & Clips. People loved the chance to post their own photos and click through to see what their neighbors were up to. Best part? You can add your own shots to the gallery.
What were other big news stories this year in Half Moon Bay? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
