As we enter into a new year, we look back over the past year’s ups and downs.
With the clock ticking toward midnight, we take a look at the top 10 stories to grace the pages of the Courier-Herald over the past year.
We begin our count down with 10 and wind our way down to the top story of 2014.
In January, the East Pierce Fire and Rescue Foundation began a pilot program called Sentimental Journeys.
From January to March, the program had fulfilled three journeys.
They provide terminally ill patients with a chance to go on an activity of their choice.
In July, two Bonney Lake residents were charged with nine counts including possession of methamphetamine and cocaine with the intent to sell by the Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist.
During their arraignment, the two pled not guilty.
Scales, packaging, cash and firearms were also found in the residence where the two lived with young children.
The children were placed by Child Protective Services.
8. Former Bonney Lake residents win high honors
Army Sgt. Kyle White was awarded the Medal of Honor on May 13 for events surrounding a Nov. 9, 2007 ambush during White’s first and only mission in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Robert Wells was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross award for his efforts on August 4, 2012. Wells was part of the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron who were called upon to rescue a number of New Zealand patients.
7. Panthers take second in state
The Bonney Lake Panthers baseball team finished second in state after losing 12-0 to O’Dea in five innings on May 31.
The Panthers finished the season 9-6 in South Puget Sound League 3A play and 18-11 overall.
This was the best finish for Bonney Lake under Coach Mike Olson since the school opened in 2005.
6. Panthers bring home the gold
Bonney Lake wrestlers took two state titles, two bronze medals and fifth place during the two-day Mat Classic state tournament Feb. 21 to 22 at the Tacoma Dome.
Colton Tracy won the state championship in the 132 pound weight class and Chili Sabin took the title at 182.
Caid Caveness at 145 and Cayle Williams at 152 both took third place.
And as a team, the Panthers scored 93.5 for fifth place overall.
The ground broke on April 28 in Sumner for the future site of the Gordon Family YMCA.
The 110,000 square foot community center, arts center, gym, climbing wall, racquetball court, track and pool are expected to open in June 2015.
4. Lake Tapps renovation is underway
Since summer ended, Lake Tapps has been sitting at its lowest point since 2003, at roughly 500 feet.
The heavy rains in early December threatened to disrupt Cascade Water Alliance’s projects that include replacing the flume that feeds water to the lake, replacing rotted wood, weeding the lake bed and a few others that are expected to be finished by spring.
3. Marijuana stores open its doors
On Sept. 23, the Bonney Lake City Council unanimously voted to extend the marijuana moratorium.
At the same time, Buckley was one of a handful of cities where recreational marijuana can be purchased.
Mr. Bills was the first shop to open followed by The Green Door in November.
2. State Sen. Roach wins seventh term
Sen. Pam Roach won a seventh term and became the longest serving woman in the state Senate chamber.
The race for 31st District Senate seat between Roach and former Rep. Cathy Dahlquist, both Republicans, peaked the fire meter from mid-July until the November general election.
Campaign shots flew between the two campaigns with both sides making claims and allegations against the other. Roach criticized Dahlquist’s work on the tri-party agreement for schools on the two YarrowBay master planned developments in Black Diamond while she was a member of the Enumclaw School Board.
Dahlquist said Roach’s expense reports mixed mixing campaign and legislative functions. The senator ended up paying back $5,000 to the Senate administration.
The hot talk had little effect the outcome. Roach won by 54 percent of the vote. She began serving in the Senate in 1990.
The Aug. 5 primary election showed the East Pierce Fire and Rescue Maintenance and Operation Levy had 55.88 percent voting yes while 60 percent was needed to pass.
This four-year levy was estimated to raise an average of 4.8 million per year between 2015 and 2018.
The Board of Fire Commissioners and command staff have been reviewing funding options for the coming year.
