2010 in review: decorahnews.com's top 10 local news stories

2010 was without major controversies in Decorah.  In fact, one of the major news stories involved community cooperation.  We've made our choices.  You can send us yours at news@decorahnews.com.  In the meantime, here are our picks:

10) 69-year-old Leslie Peterson was accused of 31 serious misdemeanors for allegedly installing a camera in the women's shower at the Kendallville campground:
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/07/7437.html

9) The Winneshiek County Planning & Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a quarry in a dispute that pitted agricultural interests against residential interests:
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/08/7567.html

8) Ward and Jacky Budweg wrapped up their three-year bicycle trip around the world in 2010 and came home to Decorah:
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/09/7687.html

7) The Veterans Administration announced it would build a VA Outpatient Clinic in the former Wal-Mart building in Decorah:
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/06/7194.html

6) The body of a 30-year-old woman was discovered in her home in Decorah in February.  Authorities said the cause of death was undetermined.  But a Decorah man, Clifton Weston, was charged later with supplying oxcodone pills to the woman:
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/02/6212.html

5) Luther College dropped plans for a joint college/community swimming pool and announced it would build its own pool at the Regents Center:
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/04/6771.html

4) Relations still are strained between Winneshiek Medical Center and Gundersen Clinic.  The two sides could not reach an agreement in 2010 on the Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan:
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/07/7326.html
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/08/7632.html
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/09/7695.html

3) Luther College football player Chris Norton was seriously injured while playing in a game against Central College.  But doctor's fears that Chris would be totally paralyzed proved unfounded, as he made progress in his recovery:
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/10/8112.html
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/10/8202.html
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/11/8438.html
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/11/8447.html
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/11/8457.html

2) The earthquake in Haiti in 2010 claimed a Luther College graduate--Ben Larson--as one of its victims:
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/01/6027.html
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/01/6062.html
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/02/6183.html

1) Decorah school district voters in September gave their approval to two measures to raise money for remodeling and additions at Decorah High School and John Cline School.  Voters approved a measure to allow the school district to borrow up to $10,405,000 and to raise $4.4 million by extending the current Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) for an additional 10 years:
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2010/09/7786.html

Ben Larson

Chris Norton