A tornado at a Boy Scout camp in Iowa that took the life of a former West Point resident ranks as the top news story for 2008.
The votes were cast by participants in the Daily News poll, which was published in the paper and posted on the Web site.
Aaron Eilerts of Eagle Grove, Iowa, formerly of West Point, died June 11 when a tornado hit the Little Sioux Boy Scout Camp, which is located near Blencoe, Iowa.
Four Scouts died and 48 others were injured in the storm, which leveled much of the camp.
The 14-year-old was the son of Bob and Carol Eilerts.
The election of Norfolk's first woman mayor came in second in the poll.
Sue Fuchtman earned 64 percent of the vote in defeating Tom Schommer for the position. Fuchtman, president of the Day Companies, took office earlier this month.
Efforts to develop the North Fork River area of downtown Norfolk ranked number three on the list of top news stories.
In November, supporters of the project signed an agreement with an engineering firm to develop a master plan. Plus, downtown Norfolk merchants have adopted "Downtown at River Point" as its new logo.
The campaign to raise $12.9 million to build a nursing school on the campus of Northeast Community College came in as number four on the list.
In the past 10 months, supporters have raised around $10 million to build a University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing in Norfolk.
Once finished, the school will offer bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in nursing. Supporters hope the school can be open by 2010.
The construction of a $58 million bed tower at Faith Regional Health Services took fifth place in the poll.
The project is expected to be finished in early 2010. Then, Faith Regional Health Services will have around 130 private patient rooms.
Other stories that received votes are:
n The inaugural Great American Comedy Festival succeeds in honoring the legacy of the late Johnny Carson and provides Norfolk with a first-class festival.
n Wind power catches on in Northeast Nebraska with progress made on two wind farms in Knox County and additional farms near Petersburg and O'Neill.
n Keno comes to Norfolk after voters approve the measure in May. Proceeds are to be used to improve the city's recreational offerings.
n Al Roder is hired in June to serve as Norfolk's new city administrator. He succeeded Mike Nolan who served for more than 20 years before taking another position.
n Jose Sandoval is sentenced for two more murders after he confesses to his involvement in the deaths of Robert Pearson and Travis Lundell.
