2011 in Review: Avon Patch's Top Stories

It's been a busy 2011 in Avon, and for Avon Patch.

We've published more than 1,500 articles and blog posts this year. Topics have ranged from Avon High's run to the to the to the playoff run to the opening of the Cleveland Clinic's .

Here's a look back at the most popular stories of 2011. They may not have always been traditional "hard news" stories, but they're what people cared about enough to check out. A lot. 

Share your views in the comments on what you think Avon's biggest stories were in 2011.

Nothing gets attention quite like the "S Word" (and I don't mean Santa) right before Christmas. Whether we were dreaming of a white Christmas, or hoping the roads would be clear to drive to the grandparents for the holiday, Avonites really cared about the weather this Christmas. It was Avon Patch's most popular story of the year.

Avon folks have a soft spot for their pets. When in a Love-A-Stray video in early December, people were touched by the tabby's grief over her owner's death, and her unhappiness at being at Love-A-Stray's Avon shelter. Less than a week after the video aired, Bouncy had been adopted by someone who had seen the video, and has perked up considerably with her new family.

The former Eagle's death at age 22 shocked and saddened the Avon community. for rushing, running for 3,860 yards. He also scored 44 touchdowns. He was a student at Cuyahoga Community College at the time of his death. 

Readers wanted to know the scoop on bargains to be had as the bookstore chain closed several stores in Northeast Ohio, including the one in Westlake.

Several Avon residents work at Avon Lake's Ford plant, and the news that their UAW chief had committed suicide was stunning and sad news for the community.

Parents were understandably freaked out after reading this police blotter item in April. It was followed about a month later with a reported of a child on Carleen Avenue. If someone approaches your child in a similar way, don't wait to call police. It gives the person time to get away.

This police blotter roundup had sex, booze, and no rock and roll. But there was a squirrel.

In the age of Facebook, ugly rumors can get spread like wildfire. One of those started after beat North Ridgeville in football. Over the following weekend, posts began appearing on Facebook that Avon High students were seen wearing t-shirts mocking the death of North Ridgeville student and football player Alex Sisnour. Two North Ridgeville students came forward to their school authorities and stated they saw the t-shirts. Avon school officials took the reports seriously, but no one was reported caught. 

Avonites love to go out to shop and eat. And they loved finding out about new businesses filling vacant spots in City Centre and Avon Commons. Also this year, left vacant with the closing of Linens N Things in 2008.

While national retail stores were big news in Avon in 2011, Avonites also cared about local businesses. This story of Tony Papay following his heart from a sales career to starting his own cabinetry business was one of the most popular business stories this year. Other local business stories that caught your attention were the growth of the Avon-based franchise, with the addition of a , and the .