Taking a look back at the week that was, no single topic dominated the most read, most commented or most viewed list at www.rapidcityjournal.com.
There were a few surprises (Veronica Watters' Ivy League decision), a few old standbys (a reincarnated Casa del Rey) and a few strong pieces.
Top 5 stories of the week
1. Long-awaited Casa Real now open
When a new restaurant opens in Rapid City, it always seems to be a popular story. And now it seems that even when it isn't completely new, it still is well-read.
2. Man in critical condition after ATV accident
A Hay Springs, Neb., man's mishap at a motocross track that severely cut his leg and led to him having to be airlifted to Rapid City was the second-most read story of the week.
3. Red Cloud student gets slew of Ivy League offers
It really shouldn't surprise me, but it does. Unique stories reported off the reservation almost always generate plenty of reader interest. But the news cynic in me - that part created by reader interest persistently trending toward stories of tragedy, misdeeds and natural disasters - apparently didn't let me see this one coming.
Red Cloud High School senior Veronica Watters' dilemma of which Ivy school to attend is the kind of story that we'd like to see near the top of the most-read list every week.
4. Tribal constitution election declared null and void
Countless preview stories and explanatory columns in the Rapid City Journal and efforts throughout the reservation apparently failed to mobilize voters.
An effort to make a number of changes to the tribal constitution failed not because voters were vehemently opposed to them. They failed because of voter apathy after the required percentage of registered voters failed to cast a ballot on election day.
5. Fire damages apartment complex
For the second consecutive week, Rapid City firefighters had to respond to a house fire, this week at an apartment complex in North Rapid.
Luckily, this time, nobody was injured. The story generated plenty of strong comments, most of them sparked by a reader who questioned why Rapid City didn't go to a volunteer system.
I believe their question was answered. 'Nuff said.
Top Five Videos
1. Neo Nazi Rally Sparks Outrage, Violence
Didn't see this coming, in particular because the video went up over the weekend when traffic trends lower at www.rapidcityjournal.com. However, this mild disagreement between the fascist clan and counter protesters in Washington, D.C., caught viewers' attention.
2. Bye Bye Brooke? Dramatic 'Idol' Performances
Hey, didn't American Idol finish No. 2 last week, too?
3. Raw Video: Car Strikes Trooper
Featured on Thursday in the Fives, this little piece of disturbing video proved to be popular among www.rapidcityjournal.com readers.
Actually, another positive story off the reservation attracted viewers to the video player this week as workers at the Red Shirt landfill began a long-awaited clean up.
Candidate Joel Dykstra dropped by the office this week and we were able to ask him a few questions about his potential race against incumbent Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D.
Best Rapid Reply of the Week
Smack talk is a common practice of professional basketball players, and, apparently, pro basketball fans as well. On a story about the potential of professional basketball returning to Rapid City, these two comments got in the spirit.
Hillbilly be likin some D-League Action on 04/24/2008 06:45:12 said:
"If Sioux Falls can be a farm team for the Timberwacks, then RC can represent the Nuggets, for cryin' out loud."
Re Hillbilly be likin some D-League Action on 04/24/2008 08:23:57 said:
"The Nuggets ARE a farm team."
Most popular poll of the week
Readers felt obligated to share the age of the car or truck that they drive. While the poll may have reflected accurately our readership, it was noted that the results were inversely proportional of the vehicles that people in the newsroom drive.
How old is the vehicle you most often drive?
0 to 5 years
(811 Votes, 38%)
6 to 10 years
(745 Votes, 35%)
11 to 15 years
(412 Votes, 19%)
16 to 20 years
(122 Votes, 6%)
More than 20 years
(62 Votes, 3%)
Editor's pick
Tim Appel's video interview and feature on 16-year-old violinist Andre Hafner may be the best we have produced at the Journal. It is certainly the most cultured.
