Community Corner

Mount Pleasant's Biggest Stories of '12

These headlines grabbed the community's attention.

One of the great thing about Patch's web-only platform is that I can see immediately which items are attracting interest and which aren't. Here's a collection, based on web traffic totals, of 2012's most intriguing stories.

SERIOUS
These stories grabbed attention for their shocking nature or serious implications.

Dara Watson
The community was on edge for 10 days as police searched for Dara Watson, a woman who vanished after a road trip with her fiance. When the 30-year-old accountant failed to show up for work, her fiance was implicated in the crime and then committed suicide. The case ended sadly when police recovered the woman's remains in the Francis Marion National Forest. Read full coverage.

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Fatal Dog Attack
A toddler was brutally killed when a family pet attacked. The animal was eventually captured, and a coroner's inquest was called to sort out exactly what happened. What made the case more shocking was that another youngster was killed just weeks earlier in neighboring Dorchester County. Read more.

Teacher Embroiled in Video Scandal
A Wando High School teacher found himself in serious trouble when he showed a scene from the shock-comedy series "Jackass" to a class of students. Though the teacher said the video was had instructional value, the school system disagreed. The situation didn't end well for the teacher.

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Development Controversies
As the economy recovers, developers are again flocking to Mount Pleasant to build homes and to establish new businesses. The year started with a debate about a proposed big-box development near Towne Center. That project on the Gregg Tract never materialized. But a debate over restrictions that limited such projects quickly emerged and captured plenty of outrage. That controversy preceded a debate over a waterfront project on an old Civil War site. Despite objections, town leaders approved the Oyster Point development. Read more local business news.

SILLY
Folks don't want just read about doom and gloom, and some of the most well-trafficked stories in 2012 were anything but serious.

Jesus on a Stingray
A smartphone photo snapped on Sullivan's Island captured the nation's attention when a Charleston college student suggested the dead sea creature resembled Jesus Christ. What was a silly story spawned a serious debate about religion. See the photo yourself.

Jenny Sanford's Roaming Labrador
Former S.C. First Lady Jenny Sanford is no shrinking violet, so when she was slapped with a huge fine for allowing her dog to roam free on Sullivan's Island, she took the town to task. Find out what happened.

Adult Ad in Christmas Parade
Town leaders were not pleased when a banner advertising an adult novelties shop slipped into the annual Christmas parade. Though the town administrator was irked by the advertisement, others said they weren't too offended. You decide.

NATIONAL
Folks from across the country perked up in 2012 and turned their attention to the Lowcountry when these stories broke.

Santorum Staffer Accused
Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum was known for his outspoken views on homosexuality, so when a former paid staffer in Charleston was accused of making unwanted sexual advances on another male cadet at the Citadel, plenty of folks wanted to know all the details. Read more about the allegations.

Big Wedding at Boone Hall
You could throw this into the "silly" category, but the wedding of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds probably has serious, positive implications for the local tourism and wedding industry, as if it needed much help anyway. Read more.

Caribbean Homicide
The nation and the local community has closely watched as the St. Marteen investigation into the death of Michael and Thelma King unfolds. Read the latest.

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
These stories didn't generate huge traffic in 2012, but they were some of my favorites.

How a Mom Stopped Skip ReVille
This story proves that a mother's intuition can have big implications. One Mount Pleasant mom, who overheard her child talking about "games" being played by local coach Louis "Skip" ReVille, helped unfold a massive and sickening child sex abuse case. Read more.

Turtle Release
Plenty of folks have told me, as a newcomer, to check out a South Carolina Aquarium turtle release. It didn't disappoint. Here's my video from an event in May on Isle of Palms.

USS Laffey Returns
Patriots Point, it seems, can't catch a break, but there are plenty of positive stories at the struggling maritime museum. Like this one about the historic USS Laffey returning from repairs in January 2012. You've never seen sailors more proud.

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