Prince George escaped a warm and dry summer without any major forest-fueled blazes, but those burning in the surrounding areas kept wildfires top of mind as well as smoke at the back of the throat.
Out of the top 10 most-read stories in 2014 on The Citizen's website, a mid-July briefing on eight active fires (Local wildfires around Prince George, July 18, 2014) takes the crown as the most popular.
Following closely on its heels was a follow up to a story featuring a pre-teen hockey player who dared to stand alone.
Const. Aaron Kehler, the RCMP officer who pulled over convicted murderer Cody Legebokoff may have received the public's support for Prince George newsmaker, but it was 12-year-old Matt Marotta who generated some of the biggest buzz online.
The Viking Construction peewee Tier 1 Cougars defenceman made headlines in February after he remained the lone player on the ice following a tournament loss in which there was a dispute over the game's clock. The coach ordered everyone to the dressing room, but Marotta stayed behind to shake the hands of the opposing team.
The year's second most-read story was Ted Clarke's Peewee coach admits mistake was made on Feb. 21, 2014, where coach Ryan Arnold gave his side of the Vernon incident following a ruling from the Prince George Minor Hockey Association that saw him and assistant coach Sean Gendron suspended for 30 days.
The original story (Peewee player stands alone, Feb. 20, 2014) comes in at No. 4 on the most-read list.
The top 10 most-read stories on PGCitizen.ca in 2014:
1. Wildfires around Prince George, July, 18, 2014.
2. Peewee coach admits mistake was made, Feb. 21, 2014.
3. Two pedestrians killed near CNC, Oct. 9, 2014
4. Peewee player stands alone, Feb. 20, 2014
5. Hunting accident injures top athlete, Sept. 25, 2014: An accidental rifle discharge sent the bullet that severed the spinal cord of 16-year-old softball player Trent Seymour.
6. What happened at the lake, May 21, 2014: RCMP detail how they were handling rumours and speculation in the wake of the drowning deaths of two teenagers.
7. Victims from lake tragedy identified, May 19, 2014: Kendall Moore, 17, and Craig Wood, 19, were named as the two teens recovered from the vehicle that ended up in Kwitzil (Gravel Pit) Lake.
8. Missing plane crashed into Indian Ocean, said Malaysian PM, March 24, 2014.
9. Love for Shea, July 17, 2014: Christine Hinzmann speaks to Bryn and Christy Fell after the death of their seven-month-old son Shea who had a rare skin disorder.
10. Cougars sold to investors, sources say, March 3, 2014: Ted Clarke breaks the news that the local WHL team has been sold to Greg Pocock and a group of investors that includes NHL players and former Cougars Eric Brewer and Dan Hamhuis.
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