Sheffield Press: 13 in ‘13: Looking back at the biggest news stories of the year

Tornadoes, a heated election and an untimely spring snowstorm were but a few of the top stories that graced the front pages of The Sheffield Press in 2013. Some of those events had a larger community-wide impact than others, but all left a lasting impression on Sheffield and the greater Franklin County area last year.

     What follows are the Top 13 stories of 2013 compiled by the Press news staff. Some of the stories aren’t yet finished, and they will no doubt continue creating headlines in 2014 and beyond. However, they all played an integral role in making 2013 the memorable year that it was.

1. Election

     Sheffield residents had plenty to choose from when they headed to the polls for the Nov. 5 city election – 40 percent of voters turned out to cast their ballot for three mayoral candidates and three declared council hopefuls.

     Nick Wilson easily outpaced his competition by 116 votes to claim the mayor's seat. Sheri Bogue finished second with 99 votes, while former mayor Dennis Kingery wound up in third with 25 votes.

     The race for the two open council positions proved just as interesting. Newcomers Mike McKee and J.C. McCaslin won with 164 and 161 votes, respectively, while former councilman and write-in candidate Sean Cameron missed out on another term after finishing with 96 votes. Write-ins Karl Sorenson, 71 votes, and James Hagarty, 62 votes, finished fourth and fifth, and candidate Shirley Meints finished last with 43.

     That wasn't the end of it, however. Wilson was forced to vacate the remaining time left on his council seat so he could assume mayoral duties Jan. 1. His position will be filled by appointment at the council's January meeting.

Read the full article in the Jan. 2 edition of the Sheffield Press.

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