Stories of a boy who plays baseball like a man, of a young man who has turned his dream into reality, and of grown men wanting to reenact their youth were the most popular articles on The Logan Journal during the first half of 2015.
Readers clicked ‘Like’ at least 50 times on 91 of the 290 full-length stories which appeared on The LoJo from January through June 2015.
The most liked story was about Logan County High School senior Caleb Bruner being named a first-team All-America baseball player by Louisville Slugger. The story earned 775 likes, about half again as many more than the top story all of last year. That 2014 leader was about LCHS having the top high school agriculture education program in the state.
Second place in Likes the first half of this year was the story of Mike Jackson’s gamble to open and operate a new restaurant in Russellville. He and his wife Yvonne gave the venture a year to decide whether to continue or not. Five years later, Ski Daddy’s is still going strong. That story earned 520 Likes.
The third place article announced that an alumni football game would be staged, matching former Panthers and Cougars. It was a unique and intriguing concept which drew 459 Likes. In fact, the game story about that well-attended, well-received night finished 10th with 262 Likes.
Although three of the top 10 stories involved sports, many of the most popular were features about non-sports themes. Also in the top nine, in order, were a Green Out Night in support of cancer fighter Dillon Porter, LCHS senior Kayla Hazel’s earning a major scholarship to LCHS, Olmstead principal Ben Kemplin’s move to the central office, Tara Gilbert and Coach Brandy Trimble leading the RHS girls to a long-awaited win over the Lady Cougars, Logan Superintendent Kevin Hub explaining how he decides when to cancel school, and former Auburn Baptist Church pastor Gary Hughes become WKU’s Dr. Hughes in the Department of Communication.
Also with 200 or more Likes were articles about a listing of academic honor students at WKU, former Cougars Ryan Harper and John Logan Dockins reaching the same College World Series, Rusty Clark’s former RHS exchange student entering medical school in Ethiopia, Cougar Matt Harper’s signing with Spaulding College, Lindsay Turner’s explaining how 4-H influenced her dad’s love of community and local history, Jenna Simmons’ report on new LCHS FFA officers, and Meagan Ferguson and Matt Harper’s being named Cougar Athletes of the Month.
Dr. Hub, Lindsay Turner and Simmons were not the only guest authors to draw 50 or more likes. Also gaining strong support were David Brooks, Kaye Hendricks, Kim McDaniel, Melinda Grimsley-Smith, Simmons again, Linda Hatler, Deborah Davenport, Mark Brooks, Penni Nugent, Michael Romans, Al Smith, Leon Smith and Ryan Craig.
For the record, one article drew over 700 Likes, one more over 500, two more over 400, two more of 300, and an additional 11 over 200. Throw in 30 between 100-199, and the total becomes 91 articles with 50 or more Likes.
The most Liked stories of the first half of 2015 follow. If you would like to read them to see why they were so popular, click on the links.
775: Caleb Bruner named first-team Louisville Slugger All-American, June
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports690
520: Ski Daddy’s surpasses goal five times and keeps adding years, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features293
459: Logan alumni to play football against RHS alumni, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports604
427: RHS to hold Green Out at homecoming in support of Dillon Porter, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features278
353: Kayla Hazel of Auburn earns top WKU scholarship, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news487
304: Ben Kemplin promoted to Logan central office, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news479
283: Tara Gilbert leads RHS softball past LCHS for first time in nine seasons, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news504
279: Logan superintendent explains decision to dismiss school today, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests279
(Dr. Kevin Hub)
263: Former Auburn Baptist pastor Gary Hughes is now Dr. Hughes, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features329
262: Alumni Clash a night of great fun, football and fundraising, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports662
250: WKU announces Fall 14 honor students, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news470
244: Harper helps L-W reach World Series, could play Dockins’ team Saturday, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports676
230: Former RHS exchange student Micheal Zeratiqnt now in medical school in Ethiopia, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features296
226: Harper to reunite with Woodall in Spaulding baseball, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports601
223: 4-H helped for love of community and local history for Jim Turner, June
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests302
(Lindsay Turner)
217: Logan FFA elects new set of officers, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news493
(Jenna Simmons)
208: Ferguson, Harper named LCHS athletes of the month, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports665
194: Ryan Craig to lead Logan Chamber, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news473
189: LCHS girls named Governor’s Scholars, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features313
(David Brooks)
179: Darden & Myers to be in Border Bowl on ESPN3 this weekend, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports599
167: Todd County Standard best in state again, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news478
161: Sarah Fox named WKU valedictorian, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news530
160: Tori Dillard named to USA D3 Soccer Team, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports637
155: Lewisburg Beta, Sylas Morris headed to nationals, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news507
153: Bloodline legacies help Lady Cougars win Clash, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports598
147: Ryan Harper swinging hot bat in college, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports664
144: Cougars record biggest win over Panthers, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports597
140: Will McKenzie wins KIAC golf title, headed to nationals, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports663
139: Van Zee, Hopkins lead WKU to regional engineering title, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news509
139: Caleb Bruner named Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports682
134: Lady Panthers beat LCHS for first district win in 10 years, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports677
133: Rachel Fisher, Wesley Stratton, Kelsey Patterson lead RHS
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Month.aspx?Month=june15
129: Cougars beat RHS by 16 to clinch top seed in district, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports617
126: Middle schoolers named to all=star teams, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports620
120: Vietnam vets honored by Russellville DAR, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news545
117: Logan County Farmers’ Market to open Saturday, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news531
114: Nate Woodall, Bailey Cornelius lead Chandlers graduates, June
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news541
113: Ami Brooks & Joe Hendricks form new legal first across from justice center, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features284
106: Bonnie Watson named Olmstead principal, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news501
105: Hopkins and Van Zee help WKU steel bridge team place at nationals, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news537
105: RHS students named Heartbeats of the teams, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features331
105: Bruner leads Cougars in 17 statistical categories, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports673
104: Jillian McLellan, Louis Scott top Auburn scholars, June
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news544
102: Bruner pitches 1-hit, no-walk, 16-strikeout shutout over Central, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports648
101: Young Lady Panther ABA team formed, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports654
100: Brenda Chapman Strickler, Lillie Mason, Fred Tisdale, Mark Thompson inducted into Cougar Athletic Hall of Fame, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features286
100: City Superintendent Leon Smith explains wind chill policy, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests271
97: Huge crowd enjoys opening day of Auburn baseball and softball, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports655
95: Open is the key word for Radio Shack in Russellville, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news502
94: Cougars win 1-0 pitching jewels on consecutive days, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports657
93: Adairville News keeps community informed, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests294
(Kaye Hendricks)
93: RHS students excel, earn honors, April http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news518
(Kim McDaniel)
92: Little League All-Stars win district opener on walk-off homer, June
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports694
90: Lady Cougars win 3 of 4 games over weekend, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports652
87: Morris Strong theme evident at RHS Hall Induction, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features279
86: Logan FFA shines in regional contests, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news500
(Jenna Simmons)
83: Good News for Logan school in February 15
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features292
81: Chandlers principal Spears chosen for Leadership Institute, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news520
81: Sarah Fox named Fulbright Scholar, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news528
(Melinda Grimsley-Smith)
80: Veteran coach Greg Howard named LCHS athletic director, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news527
79: Logan AD Hugh McReynolds announces his retirement, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news503
78: Ben Wright & Pedro Bradshaw named all region, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports624
77: Services set for former Russellville pharmacist Jack Carver, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features277
76: One marked off my Bucket List, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests276
(Linda Hatler)
74: Adairville chooses homecoming queen and king, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features288
(Deborah Davenport)
73: RATC students to compete in SkillsUSA events, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features295
(Mark Brooks)
71: Russellville Rural Fire fundraiser Saturday, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features316
71: RJSHS Ambassadors present program at national meeting, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features306
(Penni Nugent)
71: Olmstead goes 7-2 at Belmont camp, June
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports693
69: Lady Cougars get favorable regional draw, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports626
68: CHS grad Daniel Collins hears Vice President Biden speak, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news467
68: Lady Cougars making new history after offensive explosion in Clash, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports625
65: Auburn students place first, second in state STLP competition, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features308
65: Stevenson’s Chapel UMC youth learn to serve others, June
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests309
(Michael Romans)
64: Once-in-a-lifetime events helped for special Year That Was in local sports, June
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports692
63: Taleia Mason gets it going, Maegann Hardison piles it on in regional win, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news494
62: Crucial Cat Clash, Hall of Fame induction of tap at LCHS, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports617
61: Teams to plague frogs by gigging as part of Crittenden Drive Outdoor Ministry, June
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features337
59: RHS, LCHS Alumni to Clash at Rhea Stadium Friday, April
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports660
59: Audiences find RHS production of Mary Poppins supercalifragilicexpialidocious, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features325
58: Lady Cougars win Warren East track meet at WKU, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports668
57: Wendell Ford: An enduring winner at hands-on politics, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news474
(Al Smith)
57: Olmstead’s Lille Mason named to High School Hall of Fame, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports638
57: Russellville board adopts new school schedule, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests282
(Leon Smith)
54: Riley Insurance moving, leaving prime office space available, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news489
54: State road crews working around the clock, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news482
52: Crutchfield, Howell and Barnes lead Adairville graduates, June
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news548
53: Logan Chamber Newsletter for April 17
http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests291
(Ryan Craig)
52: Lady Panthers beat East, win second straight game, January
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports609
51: Bluegrass Festival in Auburn this weekend to feature vendor event, May
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features323
50: Joe Jefferson, Katherine Neely Murrie, Terry Clayton, Lee Dockins, Bob Birdwhistell inducted into Cougar Hall of Fame, February
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features287
50: Cougars start baseball season with 4-1 record, March
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports635
50: Holly Goddard to be guest of Friends at Logan Library, June
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news539
(Elaine Ezell)