The top local news stories in Decorah during 2013

What were the top local news stories in Decorah during 2013?  Earlier we told you our readers' choices, using the number of clicks on the stories we posted.

Now we are giving you our editor's choices, based on the impact these news stories have had on the Decorah area during 2013:

10)  Decorah resident Don Johnson wins the Iowa Powerball lottery in June and picks up a check for $1.4 million.  Details.

9)  It was a busy year in Winneshiek County courts, with a number of people facing meth charges, attempted murder charges against Daniel Wildman dropped in favor of federal firearms charges and former Decorah attorney David Strand pleading guilty to five charges. Details.

8)  North Winneshiek School officials announced that the school district could not remain financially solvent after 2017 and began discussions with Decorah school officials.  Details.

7)  Aase Haugen Home's Board of Directors dismissed its administrator in January in the wake of the arrest of the home's office manager on embezzlement charges.  Details.

6)  The Decorah area struggled with flooding in April, May and June.  Details.

5)  Three police search warrants during 2013 resulted in meth lab charges against 13 people.  Details.

4)  2013 was a successful year for the Trails From Freeport organization and its project to build a bike bike trail extension.  The highlight was receiving a $1.6 million grant.  Details.

3)  An 18-month moratorium on issuing frac sand mining permits was approved in June by the Winneshiek County Board.  Details.

2)  In March we learned about the difference between ELCA Lutherans and Missouri synod Lutherans as Luther presidential candidate Mark Hagerott's nomination was derailed by questions about his religious beliefs.  Details.

1)  Our choice for the top story of 2013 in Decorah was the national attention Decorah received from three national news media.  US News named Decorah High School the #2 high school in Iowa.  Forbes Magazine named Decorah one of America's 15 Prettiest Towns.  Mother Earth News named Decorah one of "9 Great Places You've (Maybe) Never Heard Of."  The publicity not only made us feel good, but it will no doubt help persuade others to visit Decorah or move here.  Details.