

By Miriam Raftery
October 14, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- Ever wonder what news stories attract the most interest among our local readers? We decided to find out, so we looked at the number of readers who clicked open each story for the past month. The results were surprising. Some major news stories, such as Iraq air strikes, didn’t make the top 20-perhaps because that’s news available everywhere else. What DID get your attention was primarily stories relevant to East County, especially news that you can’t get anywhere else.
We learned that our readers have a strong interest in wildlife, energy issues, and Native American culture. You read about fun activities from festivals to the best happy hours in town, but you also showed interest in national news, especially Ebola. You clicked to read positive stories about efforts to help a family in need and a nonprofit that’s mentoring troubled teens. You were avid readers about the storm that socked our region and Homeland Security refuting Congressman Duncan Hunter’s claim that ISIS terrorists were arrested at the border. Plus you shared stories on Jamul teens modeling in New York, toxic snakes in suburbia, sale of a family-owned car dealership, and death of a local community leader. Land use issues, led by a controversial high-rise in La Mesa this month, also grabbed your attention.
Altogether, our site drew more than 160,000 visits in the past month. Below are our top 20 most-read stories during that time period:
- Destination East County: Best Festivals and Events in East County
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife whistleblowers denounce agency for turning blind eye to birds killed by wind and solar facilities
- Best Happy Hours in East County
- Native American Women Who Changed the World – book review
- Saving the cheetahs
- What’s in the water in Jamul? (local teens model on runways in New York)
- Vet warns of neurotoxic snakes in suburban neighborhoods
- Passages: Duane Swainston, former City Council candidate
- Paul McCartney, today and yesterday
- Jacumba Hot Springs celebrates 200 years with a fall centennial
- Fund established to help family of Julia Elizabeth Hills, Descanso woman killed in motorcycle crash
- Powerful storm cell socks region
- ECM Radio interview: Boys to Men nonprofit in La Mesa is making waves nationally
- Conservation group sues to protect eagles at Tule Wind farm
- Drew Ford to sell to SoCal Penske following death of family patriarch
- Dallas sends emergency warning to 11,000 residents regarding Ebola case
- Draft Desert Renewable Energy plan released by BLM and U.S. Fish & Wildlife
- $40 million lawsuit filed against Invenergy over wind farm
- La Mesa planners recommend denial of Park Station high-rise
- Homeland Security: Hunter claims of ISIS arrests on border are “false”
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