FROM STAFF REPORTS
Thank you for helping Iredell Free News shatter our previous record for readership in 2020. The articles, photo galleries, videos and obituaries published on our website this year have garnered more than 2.5 million pageviews, besting our previous best year (2019) by more than 700,000 clicks.
Here’s a look back at our 10 most-read stories of the year:
1. “We don’t want another family to go through what we did”
Summary: The family of murder victim Kim Goodman works to keep convicted killer behind bars.
Link: https://www.iredellfreenews.com/news-features/2020/we-dont-want-another-family-to-go-through-what-we-did/
2. Superintendent releases 100-day plan for Iredell-Statesville Schools
Summary: New Superintendent Jeff James details initiatives for assessing, improving I-SS.
3. I-SS employee passes away after three-week battle with COVID-19
Summary: Family of Astrid Donahue works to raise awareness of deadly coronavirus after her death.
4. Iredell County health officials confirm county’s first case of COVID-19
Summary: The county’s first laboratory confirmed case was reported in mid-March. Nine months later there have been more 9,000 confirmed cases and more than 100 deaths in Iredell.
Link: https://www.iredellfreenews.com/news-features/2020/iredell-county-health-officials-confirm-first-case-of-covid-19/
5. Jeep enthusiasts give 8-year-old Troutman boy an unforgettable birthday parade (Photo Gallery)
SUMMARY: More than 300 Jeep enthusiasts created a special birthday surprise for 8-year-old Caleb Carr on April 30.
6. Grieving mother says she has forgiven man charged with killing her daughter
SUMMARY: Tamika Smyre remembers 20-year-old daughter, Tey’Honnah Lynette Dye, who was shot and killed in late March.
7. N.C. Parole Commission rejects latest parole bid for man who murdered Mooresville woman
SUMMARY: The N.C. Parole Commission rejected convicted murderer Brett Abrams’ latest bid for parole following a public outcry against his release. Abrams was sentenced to life in prison in 1984 for stabbing 20-year-old Kim Goodman.
8. An Unprecedented Challenge: Iredell Memorial Hospital staff has responded to COVID-19 pandemic
SUMMARY: “Our team has been truly amazing,” Iredell Health System President & CEO John Green said. “Policies have changed repeatedly with new guidance or products and we have worked to promptly understand and change. Roles have frequently been altered or augmented in an effort to meet the needs of our community and in an effort to keep the staff working.”
9. SPD: Woman dies after being hit by truck while waiting in line outside Statesville DMV office
SUMMARY: One woman was fatally injured and a second hurt when they were struck by a pickup truck while standing outside the DMV Office in Statesville on September 23.
10. Parents, teachers express support for I-SS reopening plan; board member calls Our Schools First members ‘fascists’
SUMMARY: Iredell-Statesville Board of Education members heard from a large group of concerned teachers, parents and community members during their August meeting. Board member Bill Howell responded to concerns raised by Our Schools First by publicly criticizing the group.