By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
Well the calendar flipped to a new decade — it you start at zero to mark the decade — and with the changing of the calendar, we thought we would take a look at some of the most popular WKTV stories of 2019.
In compiling this list, I took a look at both page views on a story, which indicates the number of people who clicked on the article, and also social media statistics. The result is a mix of both most read and shared articles from the WKTV Journal website.
Ranking Number One
All we can say about the top 2019 story is that everyone must love a good mystery as the “Mystery billboards along US-131 revealed” was the WKTV’s most read story for 2019. The billboards which featured the words “abuse, lonely, neglect, fear, trauma, abandonment” got people talking which according to officials from D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s was the purpose in raising awareness about April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Raising awareness was a huge theme in 2019 as we had a number of stories focused on that topic from a group of Grand Valley State University’s students’ efforts to raise awareness and money for Multiple Sclerosis to Crystal Lettinga’s effort to help raise awareness about Autism. An Allegan family continued its efforts to raise awareness about Richard, “Richie” Hitchcock in hopes of finding answers to what happened to Richie who disappeared 28 years ago.
A Kentwood filmmaker created a film around an idea he had to help the hungry and State Rep. Tommy Brann and U.S. Senator Gary Peters had victories in helping domestic survivors and family pets.
On the election front, concerns over preventing outside forces from tampering with the U.S. elections still remained an important topic as the Secretary of State’s office announced plans to upgrade election computers.
From the world stage, while millions watched as Notre Dame burned, members from Kentwood’s St. Mary Magdalen reflected on the 2012 fire that destroyed their church. Readers sent photos in of the famed Notre Dame and Bishop Walkowiak reflected on what the fire meant to the Catholic community.
Top 2018 stories for the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming
There was a lot of anticipation of special events, the City of Wyoming’s annual Spring Carnival, and all of the redevelopment activity at Woodland Mall which included the addition of Von Maur and The Cheesecake Factory.
Taking on cabin fever, the City of Kentwood hosted the Great Lakes Disc and Freeze Fest along with its Winter Concert Series. Another popular Kentwood story was the opening of the volleyball and football bowling courts. Also, after accepting a position on the city commission, Kentwood City Commissioner Maurice Groce made a stop to the WKTV station to discuss his continuing commitment to the city he calls home and the Detroit Tigers made a special stop to the Kentwood Police Department to help celebrate the department’s 50th anniversary.
There was a lot of activity in the City of Wyoming for 2019. The city saw the Studio 28 Flea market close after more than 50 years. In its place is the area’s first-ever workforce-dedicated housing, HOM Flats. The City of Wyoming also started the process of a new master plan.
Other top 2019 city and community stories were:
Wyoming City Council takes its meetings on the road for the summer
Kelloggsville, Kentwood Public Schools seek renewals in May special election
County’s successful courthouse therapy dogs coming to Wyoming’s district court
East Kentwood to host the largest scholastic marching band competition in Michigan
Lee High building update, County strategic plan on latest WKTV Journal In Focus
Stone Fox Ventures set to move new acquisition to Wyoming
On the Playing Field
East Kentwood swim coach Jock Ambrose was certainly a popular figure in the community. The story of his retirement,“WKTV sports features retiring East Kentwood swim coach, who talks memories, gratitude,” was the the top sports story for 2019.
Other top sports stories for 2019:
WKTV sports coverage team begins extensive coverage Golden Gloves coverage this weekend
Weekend of Meijer State Games of Michigan opening ceremony at Fifth Third is June 21
Lee high boys soccer ready to make run for conference title, deeper playoff run
Spanish language game announcing available of Lee high boys win over Godwin Heights
That’s Entertainment
Within the top spots, there were several art and entertainment stories. Residents enjoyed learning about the concert series at the Lowell Showboat, upcoming events at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park and Kent County Road Commission’s Maura Lamoreaux’s adventure as a “dancing queen” in Grand Rapids Civic’s production of “Mamma Mia!”
Other top 2019 entertainment stories were:
2019 edition of Lake Michigan Lighthouse map now available as a free resource
On Tap: Wyoming, Kentwood breweries share the ‘love’; welcome to Eastern Kille
Kentwood, Wyoming and more have spring break activities right in your backyard
For one Wyoming resident, theater live can be murder
Nu Blu, on national tour, brings vocal bluegrass to Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park
Brena Band brings a little of everything to the next Concerts in the Park
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