What were the top 10 "first on decorahnews.com" stories in 2012?

At decorahnews.com, our slogan--and our mission--is to provide "Decorah news.  First, Fast, Free."  We don't always reach that goal, but we always strive for it.  So here are our top 10 "first on decorahnews.com" stories from 2012:

10) How do you get rid of turkey vultures?  That was the question neighbors of a cell phone tower on Linden Street asked in June.  We told of their plight, including comments from the neighbor who wanted to get rid of the birds:
http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2012/06/3036.html

9) How do you search for a college president?  decorahnews.com spoke with the consultant hired to find a new leader for Luther College: http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2012/10/3949.html

8) Construction of the pool at the Luther College Aquatic Center is using an innovative new technique: http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2012/06/2939.html

7) decorahnews.com first learned of plans to having colored LED light panel displays on the new Trout Run Trail bridge: http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2012/09/3532.html

6) In May, we were the first to report a $1.6 million project to repave Pole Line Road: http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2012/05/2640.html

5) What happens when a hotel room is used by people to manufacture methamphetamine?  decorahnews.com reported on the problem left behind when two people were arrested at the Bluffs Inn in September: http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2012/09/3663.html

4) A former Decorah resident pleaded guilty in June to child pornography charges: http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2012/06/2983.html

3) Wondering what the Management Services Agreement between Winneshiek Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Health Systems says?  decorahnews.com had the first details in October:  http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2012/10/3766.html

2) A series of special reports on Winneshiek Medical Center unearthed the news that the hospital board settled for a $210,000 payment on around $2 million in overpayments to Mayo Clinic Health Systems: http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2012/04/2350.html

1) When the 322nd Engineering Unit was on deployment in Afghanistan, we not only covered their stories--but we went to Afghanistan to report on their deployment as it came to an end. http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2012/01/1526.html

We won't always be first in 2013 and we can always be faster, but we'll always be free!  And we'll always be working hard to bring you the Decorah news stories you might not hear anywhere else!