2011: The stories that made a difference

News-Banner staff voted on what they believe were the top 10 stories of 2011, but they had to choose from 43 candidates. See the Saturday, Dec. 31, News-Banner for the top 10, but see those that didn't make the list, but still had an impact, here. Learn more about some of these in News-Banner columnist Justin Peeper's regular Tuesday column.

• Bluffton resident Jose Carrillo-Perez won $2 million on a lottery ticket scratch off.
• Kent Kiracofe replaces David Hanselman as Wells Circuit Court judge. Hanselman retires after more than 30 years on the bench.
• The Courthouse tree comes down and is replaced with a new tree … and a Civil War cannon is added.
• Southern Wells moves to all-day, every-day kindergarten next year; BHMSD will also have full-day kindergarten.
• Mayor Ted Ellis receives Frank O’Bannon Sunshine Award from HSPA.
• For the first time in its 121-year history, Bluffton High School earned Four Start School status from the Indiana Department of Education.
• Brandon Haushalter is new Bluffton Regional Medical Center CEO.
• A long-awaited skate park opened in Murray.
• Bluffton-Harrison school board approves one-route bus system in 3-2 vote.
• Longtime community activist Joe Emshwiller dies.
• 4-H Park has a new Junior Leaders food booth.
• Drug busts: 17 rounded up in June, 11 in December.
• Wells has two traffic deaths.
• A Fort Wayne man filed a suit seeking unspecified damages against the county, alleging lack of care during his incarceration at the county jail.
• Local radio station WNUY has been sold and will convert to an all-Christian talk format.
• Bob Greiner, recently retired manager at Ouabache, receives Sagamore of the Wabash award.
• Maureen Butler retires as director of Creative Arts Council.
• Judge Kent Kiracofe sets Dec. 31 deadline to have special prosecutor make report on his review of Harrison Township audits.
• Four county post offices are on a proposed closing list: Poneto, Petroleum, Keystone and Liberty Center.
• Ouabache has a new baby bison.
• Wells County YMCA launches $8 million campaign to build new facility.
• Ossian will need to spend an extra $200,000 to make repairs to sewer plant.
• Work begins to replace the bridge over the Salamonie River on 900S
• Two Southern Wells teachers receive national honors.
• Report on future of downtown Bluffton released by national consultants.
• Bluffton, Norwell marching bands compete at state competition.
• Snider Tire to add 20,000 square feet and three new jobs; Pretzels reaches new four-year labor agreement.
• Norwell teachers make plea about repairs needed at high school.
• Bluffton Mayor Ted Ellis elected president of National League of Cities.
• Former Bluffton High School basketball standout Spencer Harris signs contract to play professionally in Iceland.
• Southern Wells Raiders win school’s first ever girls' softball regional title.
• Norwell grad Scott Woodward signs contract with LA Dodgers.
• Norwell finishes 3rd at state golf finals.

Did we miss a story? Do you disagree with what made the top 10? Let us know in the comments.