Today, take a look back at the most-viewed stories of the year.
We base on the list on the numbers we pull from our Google Analytics account, which monitors the number of readers we have on the site and what pages they’re viewing.
As in years past, the stories with the highest number of page views are stories involving crime or car crashes. That’s to be expected with local news websites like Potomac Local that attract readers who are concerned about public safety.
Instead of showcasing a list of crime and crash stories, I pulled 10 of the most viewed, most reported stories (stories that we poured effort into by interviewing multiple sources, sat through meetings, sifted through documents, or rushed to the scene of breaking news to get the details).
Here’s our list of most viewed stories of 2018.
And (time for a marketing plug) if you’re not yet paid Potomac Local subscriber, there’s still time to save 30 percent on an annual subscription so that you may access 100 percent of the site in 2019 and support great, local journalism in our community.
Use coupon code STRONGER when you subscribe. As of this writing, this offer is available to 16 more people and ends December 31, whichever comes first.
It’s been a pleasure serving you this year and we look forward to telling your story in 2019.
1. Stewart gets a nod from Trump on federal worker pay raise
Corey Stewart may have lost his bid to become Virginia’s next Senator. But with his close ties to Donald Trump, the president gave Stewart a shout out on his infamous Twitter feed during the election.
2. Firm hired to sell Prince William County Fairgrounds
The Prince William County Fair celebrated its 69th year this in August. Less than a month later, we learned it would be one of the last as shareholders of the fair were looking to cash out and sell the property for future development.
3. Dumfries Cafe to be dozed to make way for wider, improved Route 1
Widening Route 1 in Dumfries from four to six lanes has been talked about by state transportation officials for 20 years. The discussion in 2018 grew louder when the project received about $7 million for initial project design and right-of-way and utility relocation work. And we learned that the days are numbered for a long-time Dumfries staple, The Dumfries Cafe.
First proposed in the 1970s, The Equal Rights Amendment or ERA came back in a big way in our region this year. Democrats lobbied at public buildings throughout our area urging elected officials to support the ratification of the constitutional amendment that died in the early 1980s when it failed to gain enough support from the states.
5. A proposal for 104 new homes near Manassas just got pushed back
We spent a lot of time reporting on development this year, as some of the last pieces of rural property in our region are being eyed for the construction of new homes. Elected leaders across the region are faced with meeting the region’s growing housing demand, curbing increased traffic congestion on the already clogged road network, and preserving as much of the area’s rural character as possible.
6. Five suffer serious injuries in a crash outside Manassas NOVA Campus
A serious crash closed all lanes of Route 234 outside the Manassas Campus of Northern Virginia Community College.
Five people inside an SUV suffered serious injuries after an oncoming driver swerved into its path and then fled the scene.
The victims were expected to survive. The case remains unsolved.
7. Actress Alyssa Milano in Woodbridge urges Virginia legislators to approve women’s rights amendment
Democrats brought in some star power in their effort to build support for Virginia ratifying the ERA. Actress Alyssa Milano of TV and movie fame came to the Ferlazzo Building in Woodbridge to urge the public and local and state officials to support the ERA.
8. Amazon’s investment in Virginia is big. But not as big as Micron in Manassas.
It was a big year for economic development announcements. After a year-long, high-profile, nationwide search for the location of its second headquarters, Amazon chose Arlington and Alexandria to house 25,000 new jobs.
The announcement came on the heels of another economic development announcement — the state’s largest-ever — Micron in Manassas.
9. High winds topple massive trees in Stafford County
It was a big year for weather. The Washington, D.C. region saw the highest amount of annual rainfall in 2018 since modern records were kept, dating back to the 19th century.
Big storms brought that rain and high winds to a portion of Stafford County. Afterward, we raced to the scene.
10. In a landmark deal, Stafford approves e-commerce warehouse with a 30-year tax break
Not to be outdone by Manassas or Arlington and Alexandria, Stafford County got in on the economic development announcements, too.
County leaders approved a deal that would slash the merchant’s capital tax over 30 years for Maryland-based Property Management Associates, LLC that plans to build a 485,000 square-foot e-commerce warehouse near the county’s airport.
While there’s no word on who will occupy the space, some have told us its ripe for Amazon.
