In the last weeks of 2014, WYDaily took a look back at the year in news with overviews of stories from James City County, York County, the City of Williamsburg, York County School Division, Williamsburg-James City County Schools, high school sports and more.
But which stories had readers clicking and sharing when they first published?
Below is a listing of the 10 general news stories WYDaily published that received the most pageviews in 2014. Click here for a breakdown of WYDaily’s most read crime and public safety stories.
10. With plans for new and remodeled buildings along Richmond Road in the Lightfoot area, the decades-old look of that corridor in Upper James City County is gearing up for a face-lift. The Williamsburg Outlet Mall was demolished in 2014 to make way for Lightfoot Marketplace, which county officials hope will anchor redevelopment of the area to attract shoppers. In October, WYDaily took a look at what’s to come in Lightfoot throughout 2015 and beyond.
9. After a student complained to the Williamsburg-James City County School Board about the Warhill High administration on behalf of teachers, staff and his classmates, about 100 students walked out of class in protest in late May. Jong Lee, who spoke before the school board and helped organize the protest, said the administration — the principal and two vice principals were new to the school last year — had created a “hostile environment.” No disciplinary action was taken against the students, and Principal Jeff Carroll issued a statement in support of the students’ desire to “share their concerns.” Though students cited teacher turnover since Carroll’s arrival at Warhill, the school board and WJCC administration said the numbers were not a concern.
8. The list of participants in the 2015 Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars was revealed in November, and WYDaily readers clicked and shared the story in impressive numbers. As always, the 12 stars for 2015 include some of the most active members of the Williamsburg community. The March event benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Virginia Peninsula and Literacy for Life through ticket sales and the competitors’ fundraising efforts.
7. Russ Gibbons opened a new neighborhood fish market, Uncle Russ’ Dockside Seafood Market, on Olde Towne Road in March. The market offers the fresh, local products Gibbons has been providing restaurants for years to the average chef looking to serve quality seafood to her family. Nearly 10 months later, his storefront is still open for business at 5242 Olde Towne Road.
6. Demolition began on the Williamsburg Outlet Mall in July, with the razing completed in the fall. Now, preparations are being made for Lightfoot Marketplace — a 136,500-square-foot, six-building shopping center that will feature a Harris Teeter — to be built in its place. In the fall, James City County approved plans to redevelop the McDonald’s that stands in the same parking lot as the old Outlet Mall.
5. When York High Athletic Director John Ashley heard one of his future athletes would be undergoing surgery to remove tumors from his brain stem, he quickly organized a special night for the 9-year-old. Mason Staley, a standout youth soccer player, was given the VIP treatment at York Football’s game against Grafton High in October. Mason toured the field, met the players and coaches, led the team onto the field, called — and won — the coin toss for the Falcons, and received special gifts from both teams to help him keep his spirits up in the week before his surgery.
4. Busch Gardens offered $12 tickets to Christmas Town for a limited time, and WYDaily readers jumped at the opportunity. In 2014, the one-day admission price was slashed by more than half for admission on 12 select days to Christmas Town, which boasted a new musical in the Globe Theatre and 2 million additional lights. Click here to see photos from WYDaily’s visit to the park.
3. WYDaily launched a recurring feature, Jamestown Unearthed, to give readers a monthly update on new findings from the Jamestown Rediscovery Archaeological Project. The first installment in October reported on the ongoing work to uncover a pit near the edge of James Fort, which may have been a cellar to a building outside the original walls of the fort.
2. The owner of Paul’s Deli, George Tsipas, announced in September he would open a new restaurant in the New Town space formerly occupied by Green Leafe Café by the end of the year. Paul’s Deli & Neighborhood Restaurant, an extension of Tsipas’ restaurants — Paul’s Deli and College Delly — in the City of Williamsburg, celebrated its opening in mid-December.
1. In February, Sam’s Club confirmed it would be opening a store in the Marquis at Williamsburg, located in Upper York County along Route 199 near Water Country USA. The county’s Board of Supervisors approved plans to both expand the shopping center and build a residential development behind it in late 2013, with officials stating an undisclosed club discount store had committed to the shopping center pending approval of the applications. Construction of Sam’s Club has not yet started.
