Year in Review, Top 10 Stories of 2010
3 min read
What a year it has been! CoudyNews was launched in June of 2010 and in the short time since we have been online we have seen a tremendous reader-base develop with thousands of readers every day. That number continues to grow each and every day!
None of this would be possible without our readers, and so I’d like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU ALL!
As a side note, we will be adding tons of great new features and services in the new year.
Now, for the TOP-10 stories of the year (since CoudyNews launched), based on the number of readers:
1. Possible New #2 World Record Black Bear Taken in PA
This bear was shot November 15th 2010 with a crossbow in northeastern Pennsylvania (Pike County). 875 pounds live weight and 744 dressed, #2 in the WORLD and a new PA State Record. He missed the world record by 4 pounds……
2. Drug Bust, 6 Charged in $2 Million Potter County Cocaine Ring
David Snyder of Whitesville, NY, was arrested in connection with a $2 million cocaine distribution ring that stretched from New Jersey to the streets of Potter County.
3. Church, Tea Party Condemn Movie to be Shown at the Coudersport Library
Controversy erupted after two gay filmmakers came to Coudersport to show their shocumentary ‘Out In The Silence’ at the local library. Some local residents argued that the film, which promotes a one-sided political agenda, should not have been shown at a publicly funded library. Filmmakers Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer monopolized on the controversy, furthering the sensationalism surrounding the showing of the film and casting Coudersport into a national, albeit negative, spotlight while doing so.
4. Woman Kidnapped and Raped at the Kinzua Dam
Mike Beaulieu, formerly convicted of sexual crimes, held a couple at gunpoint at the Kinzua Dam before kidnapping the woman and later raping her. Beaulieu was caught soon afterward in Canada.
5. New Elk County Visitor’s Center
The DCNR in partnership with the Keystone Elk Country Alliance opened a new visitor’s center in Elk county. Along with the grand opening of the Elk Country Visitor’s Center came a brand new website designed by Ingenuity Labs for the Elk Country Store, located just a few miles from the new visitor’s center.
6. Man Shot Dead after Standoff with Police in Potter Brook
81-year-old James Pizzinato was shot dead by SERT officers after a standoff in Potter Brook, PA. The standoff began with two officers attempting to serve a mental health warrant on Pizzinato, who was terminally ill with cancer. Pizzinato then pointed a gun at the officers, subsequently leading to a standoff with police. Pizzinato was later shot by officers after he exited his home and opened fire on them. This was the second time in a year that SERT officers shot a man dead within miles of each incident.
7. Several Hospitalized after Northwoods Brawl in Coudersport
A racially motivated fight that included a gun being brandished at the Northwoods in Coudersport, resulted in multiple people being hospitalized and an Elmira man being charged with Aggravated Assault.
8. Record Drug Bust in McKean County
Dozens of people were arrested after drug task force agents and police officers conducted a multi-county coordinated raid on suspected drug dealers. The bust was said to be the biggest in McKean county history by law enforcement personnel.
9. Two killed in Route 6 Crash
30-year-old Angela R. Loncosky of Olean, NY, and 24-year-old Lawrence E. Kelley, of Port Allegany, PA, both died as the result of an accident that occurred on Route 6, November 29. Only weeks later another young Port Allegany resident also lost her life in an automobile accident. 22-year-0ld Megan Crum-Orlowski died as the result of injuries sustained in an accident on Route 155.
10. Police Searching for Man who Attempted to Rape Juvenile Female
On October 25 police released a news bulletin that said they were seeking a man who attempted to abduct and rape a young girl in the Shinglehouse area. The next day we received multiple reports that a man in a red van was attempting to pick up young girls in the same area. No other information was ever provided in the matter.
Other noteworthy news items for 2010:
WBC to Protest Fallen Soldier’s Funeral in Williamsport
