WELLINGTON COUNTY – This was a big year for the Advertiser, as the newspaper celebrated 50 years of keeping Wellington County residents informed.
From tragedies that touched the community to a gripping municipal election and everything in between, 2018 was challenging and, as always, eventful.
Before we step into the new year, the paper has compiled a look back on its top stories.
The following is a summary of the articles that received the most page views on the Advertiser’s website over the past 12 months.
Top Five stories of 2018
1. Palmerston man killed in two-vehicle collision; local man faces charges (July 13).
Darren James More, 43, a resident of Palmerston, died on July 11 when a pickup truck collided with his vehicle. Robert Noble, 21, of Harriston, faced nine charges after a further investigation revealed the pickup truck he was driving had been stolen.
2. Fund set up to aid Minto man burned in corn stove accident (March 2).
A fund was set up to accept donations for Minto resident Brent Crispin who was badly burned by a fire at his home on Feb. 8. Crispin was attempting to light a corn stove when a flashback occurred. Friends set up a fund to accept donations to help Crispin and his family.
3. Missing girl located (Oct. 19).
Following an OPP request seeking public assistance to locate a missing girl from Erin, the girl was located at about 4:10pm in the Town of Erin. Police reported the 13-year-old girl was found to be in good health and returned home.
4. Body of ‘young person’ found downstream from where Kaden Young went missing (April 21).
A body of a “young person” was found underneath the north side of the Belwood bridge on April 21. Police did not initially confirm the identity of the body, but many people involved in the search for 3-year-old Kaden Young, including family members, were gathered at the scene. The bridge is about 11km downstream from where the boy went missing in February.
5. Child missing after van swept into river (Feb. 23).
A three-year-old child, later identified as Kaden Young, went missing after a van driven by his mother Michelle Hanson was swept into the Grand River near Waldemar in Amaranth Township early on Feb. 21. Centre Wellington Fire and Rescue was called to assist the Grand Valley Fire Department with a water rescue. Police said a vehicle drove around a road block and into the fast-moving flood waters near the 10th Line. Hanson was later charged with impaired driving, dangerous driving and criminal negligence causing death.
Top stories by category
The following is a list of the Advertiser’s top online stories for each category on its website. They can be viewed by searching the title at wellingtonadvertiser.com.
Arts: Elora Festival Singers conductor accused of sexual misconduct (March 2).
Rural: Mount Forest shop one of few custom leather western saddle makers in Ontario (July 27).
Sports: Mapleton native signs pro contract (Oct. 12).
Top stories by month
The following is a list of the Advertiser’s top online stories for each month.
January: Police seize over $250,000 in drugs, cash from hotel.
February: Child missing after van swept into river.
March: Fund set up to aid Minto man burned in corn stove accident.
April: Body of ‘young person’ found downstream from where Kaden Young went missing.
May: Town actions an affront to democracy (editorial).
June: Grandmother charged after toddler put in trunk of car.
July: Palmerston man killed in two-vehicle collision; local man faces charges.
August: Potential candidates for Erin mayor, councillor rejected.
September: Storefront destroyed and ATM stolen …
October: Missing girl located.
November: Sixteen Wellington residents to receive Senate 150 Medal.
December: Evening fire sends three to hospital with burn injuries.
More information
For more information or to view the full articles, visit www.wellingtonadvertiser.com.
