2014 in review: Top stories on Manchester Ink Link

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 MANCHESTER, NH — Actually, it’s not been a whole year for Manchester Ink Link, so technically, these are your top stories for the second half of 2014. From Market Basket, celebrity sightings, a WMUR reporter missing in action, and some notable farewells, including Manchester attorney David Nixon.

Take some time over the New Year holiday to review, and enjoy. See you in 2015.


 

Help me help Market Basket employee Linda Bates’ – A story submitted by a reader urging support for a Market Basket employee. This story had more than 50,000 clicks in one day, and continues to be read from time to time, reaching more than 68,000 readers so far.
Bronstein Park: ‘This is the shit we go through every day’ – A day in the life of those who live near Bronstein Park, where this summer a war on the drug “spice” led to a curfew and the city shutting down businesses that sold the over-the-counter synthetic drug. Since the summer the city has enacted legislation to ban the sale of spice in the city.
The stuff of dreams for local ballerinas: Sharing the stage with Misty Copeland in ‘Nutcracker’ – When ballerina Misty Copeland took a break from the national stage and took the stage in Londonderry to perform “The Nutcracker” with a local troupe, she inspired the next generation of dancers. Photos by Allegra Boverman here beautifully tell the story.
Sobriety checkpoint Aug. 8 and 9 in Manchester – For some reason this routine “checkpoint” story stirred some interest, we think, among Libertarians, who make sure police advertise these checkpoints properly in advance.
Police cruiser involved in accident responding to accident involving police cruiser – The headline sums up what was an accident worthy of clicks and comments.
Election 2014 Voter’s Guide: (Mostly) comprehensive guide to the Nov. 4 Election – Gratifying to see that a voter’s guide can be among the year’s top stories. It wasn’t completely comprehensive, but we hope it helped you make an informed decision in the 2014 Election.
Teens steal 13 puppies from pet store, walk them to grandmother’s house – You can’t deny the clickability of a story about stolen puppies. Fortunately no puppies were harmed.
Rail expansion from Boston to Manchester could generate thousands of new jobs – Rail is always a hot topic for residents of NH, particularly these days, with more momentum than ever to expand commuter rail up from Massachusetts.
Sandler Sighting at Baked on Elm Street – Lots of people are used to running into Adam Sandler from time to time – he’s no stranger to the place he once called home. An alert reader found him at Baked on Elm Street, and caused this post to go viral.
Brothers with alleged gang connections charged in Nashua shooting – Nobody likes to hear the word ‘gang’ used here in Manchester, but this story reinforced the truth that underneath the every day petty crime that exists, we have a more serious criminal element brewing.
9 charged in drug bust netting $90K in oxy, 4 guns, 3 cars, ammo – Big arrests always earn clicks and reads, and this one was one of 2014’s most impressive, by Manchester Police.
Drug sweep nets 23 arrests, $14K in heroin: ‘These are the people driving crime in our neighborhoods’ – Making the connection between heroin, oxy and the city’s inflated crime statistics is part of what helps change the way we handle addicts and turn the system around. These stories are what bring that connection home.
Taylor M. O’Neill, 23: Talented, adventurous, gone too soon – Obituaries are often well read. This one tells part of the story of a tragic loss of a young life to drugs.
Family of stabbing victim: ‘He’s running around free after killing someone’ – One of several stories involving a high-profile murder, and its aftermath.
Party like it’s 1964 at NH’s first McDonald’s on S. Willow Street – McDonald’s is trying to  reconnect with consumers after a difficult few years. We have a great franchise owner here in Manchester, and he’s pulling out all the stops, like this throw-back celebration.
NH mourns passing of David Nixon, 82, longtime Manchester attorney and politician –  Manchester has its share of great men and women who contribute to lifting up the community over the years. David Nixon was one of those people, and he will be missed.
Sobriety Checkpoints June 20-21 in Manchester – Another checkpoint story gets passed around.
Former student found with gun, knife, inside West HS – This incident caused a brief lockdown at West High School. No one was injured.
Who won in NH? Click for official Election 2014 results – Election results are always popular.
Latest Manchester Police arrest logs and ‘wanted’ list – Arrest lists from the police department: Also popular.
James Pindell mystery mounts as WMUR mum on the question: #WheresPindell? – This was a story that got national attention. After the dust settled, it appears the TV station just wanted to make a point by suspending its on-air political personality for a couple weeks, after a televised kerfuffle between Pindell and candidate Scott Brown.
Fed-Ex delivers more pot during arrest for pot delivered by mailman – This story, about drug delivery gone wrong, is one of those stories that everyone enjoys, for some reason.
‘Brandaid’: Design company to exchange donations for services to aid local family – A local company innovated a fundraising idea for a family during tough times while helping local businesses get what they need. Win-win.
Be prepared: Charter amendment question on the Nov. 4 ballot – Yet another election story that was well read.
Two identified in Oct. 25 Lincoln murder-suicide – A difficult story to read, but sadly, such stories compel us.
Taylor Lessard, 26: Artist, joyful spirit, ‘gone too soon’ – Obituary related to the above story.
Veterans Day 2014: Parade route, free haircuts, coffee, meals for those who serve – If you put “free” in a headline, it usually gets read and shared.
Dyn: Sign of the (Tech) Times – Dyn is changing the landscape here, technically and actually.
Cheap wing night at The Farm is always a good night out – Everyone likes to know what’s good in Manchester, and this story appealed to those looking for a tip on where to get some good eats.
Mark your Halloween Trick-or-Treat calendar for Oct. 31 in Manchester – Because who doesn’t want to know when Halloween is being celebrated?
Sobriety checkpoints: Some states consider them unconstitutional – A follow-up story on sobriety checkpoints, because of all the clicks.
State offers Food Stamp replacement benefits due to storm – Informational story for those among the neediest of us who lost food during the Thanksgiving storm and resulting power outage.
‘It looks like zombies have taken over the park’ – Also related to the spice and drug problem over the summer.
Op/Ed: Drinking, lack of respect, fueled Keene Pumpkinfest riot – What a tough year for Pumpkinfest in Keene. We got this submission from a Keene student, and it was well read.
2 more dead due to fatal heroin overdoses in Manchester – This problem is not going away any time soon. Let’s hope 2015 brings more solutions for addicts and their families.
The case for saving the Hill-Lassonde House in Manchester – We will have to follow up on this story in 2015, because it’s an interesting dilemma.
4 charged in drug investigation involving $10K in drugs, handgun – Another drug bust story.
Market Basket Employees: ‘We’re getting tired of the beeps’ – As the Market Basket saga dragged on, employees talked about what it was like to wait for resolution.
Chestnut Street construction claims 2 local businesses – The reality of progress is sometimes difficult for those in its wake.
Company Offering Water Line Repair Not Endorsed by City – A simple city-issued story but relevant to our readers.
Police: Man suspected in Pine Street shooting took own life after SWAT arrival – Sad stories involving police and SWAT teams always garner attention.
Police say man fired gun at motorist on 101 in road rage incident – Road rage stories scare everyone, and make us click.
Man out on bail for theft arrested again, for theft of laptop from parked car – This was one of several stories about a spike in crime this year, due to the spike in drug addiction.
Merger with SNHU would swallow NHIA whole – In the end, the merger did not happen.
Attention UNH Manchester students: This guy! – A strange twist on a crime story here.
Service for David Nixon Nov. 14 at Cashin Senior Center – Interest in the funeral service for attorney David Nixon.
Manchester SWAT standoff ends with self-inflicted fatal gunshot – Another SWAT story makes the list, with a sad ending.
Two indicted in Christopher Gagnon stabbing death – A story of interest to readers all year.
Hilarious Trick-or-Treat Attack Ad by NH Comic Juston McKinney – A break in the crime and punishment stories, this one was just some seasonal fun by a funny guy.
Uber cool: High-tech taxi-like service goes live in Manchester – A new transport service arrived in Manchester this year.
Go Fourth and celebrate Independence Day (on July 5) – Readers love following along to find out when and where to have fun in the city.
Couple face heroin charges after man overdoses in car on I-93 – Another sad and disturbing drug story.
Manchester among 6 NH districts named to AP Honor Roll – Good news for our city schools.
MyGoodGoodManchester – Look for more from MyGoodGoodManchester in 2015, as we forge a new partnership with this informational site.
Oct. 11 seminar explores PANDAS, a little-known pediatric neurological disorder – A dad on a mission to help his son grew into an informational seminar. This story is still earning clicks from around the country.
Road rage over 2 bicyclists leads to double stabbing – Odd story from police that likely involved a lot more drama than revealed here.
13 puppies = $5,105 and felony charges for 4 alleged puppy thieves – Follow up to the initial stolen puppy story.
Man barricaded on 6th floor of Brady Sullivan Building taken into custody – Dramatic and high-profile incident downtown got some clicks.
Fred Bramante is recruiting 10,000 Mentors for Manchester schools – This story continues to be relevant, and we hope to follow along in 2015.
NH ‘silent walker’ Greg Hindy, hits homestretch, returns to Nashua Dec. 24 – The return of Nashua photographer Greg Hindy, who spent 17 months walking across the U.S. and back on fascinating journey of self-reflection and discovery.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!