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 10^th 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)