Year in Review 2012: Most-Read Stories

Readers have an eclectic taste when it comes to what they like to read on Patch. The most-read stories of 2012 ranged from politics to astronomy to crime and public safety. Here’s a look at the stories that garnered the most attention this year.

Minnesota Companies that Support the Marriage Amendment/Minnesota Companies that Oppose the Marriage Amendment

On Nov. 6, Minnesotans voted on a proposed constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage as between one man and one woman in the state constitution, reflecting existing state statute. In the lead-up to that vote, several companies staked out a position on one side or the other. The list that Patch compiled drew thousands of readers.

Geminid Meteor Shower 2012: When and Where to Watch

The Geminid meteor shower 2012, the final major meteor shower of every year and likely to be the best, peaked overnight Dec. 13 and Dec. 14. Readers flocked to the story to find out the best ways to look for meteors in the Twin Cities.

2012 Election Brings Little Change to Hennepin County Board

With five of the seven county commissioners up for re-election this fall, the Hennepin County Board could’ve seen a major shake-up from this election. But Hennepin County voters seem to prefer for county government to continue on its current course—choosing steady-as-she-goes incumbents over the fiscally conservative challengers who criticized the County Board for runaway spending. Incumbents Mike Opat, Randy Johnson, Jan Callison and Jeff Johnson all won their respective races. District 2 was the only one that did not choose an incumbent—and that was only because it was a special election that did not have an incumbent in that race.

(UPDATED) 6-Year-Old Dies in Drowning at Oak Ridge Country Club

A 6-year-old boy died after an apparent drowning at Oak Ridge Country Club on June 1. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office identified the boy as Nicholas Henry Alexander Janzen of St. Paul.

Undercover Sting Targets Two Hopkins Massage Parlors

Police arrested masseuses at two different massage parlors May 1 after receiving an anonymous letter accusing the establishments of allowing prostitution on the premises. The arrests follow a separate prostitution arrest in August at Hopkins Asian Massage that resulted in a new ordinance requiring licenses for most massage business.

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Be sure to check out the entire series, published on the following dates:

•  Dec. 26: Most-Read Stories
• Dec. 27: Crime
• Dec. 30: Business
• Dec. 31: Schools
• Jan. 1: Politics and Elections
• Jan. 2: Government