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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Each year has stories that capture the attention of the community and have an expanded reach and impact.

In 2022, a fantastic catch led to the most read article at clantonadvertiser.com, while crime, education, features and economic update stories rounded out the top 10.

Here is the list of the top 10 most read articles for 2022:

1

“Clanton man reels in once in a lifetime catch” by Carey Reeder

This article told the story of local Mark Adams catching a 188-pound halibut while deep-sea fishing in Craig, Alaska.

2

“CCS teacher arrested on drug-related charges” by Joyanna Love

A Chilton County Schools teacher had been arrested when local law enforcement discovered marijuana during a traffic stop.

3

“Class Swap: CCHS and JHS join for senior prank” by Joyanna Love

Some seniors from Chilton County High School and Jemison High School swapped classes as part of a joint senior prank. CCHS students at JHS were taken to school administration. Participants were given suspension, and social media was abuzz with opinions, including a change.org petition that punishments be lifted.

4

“CCSO Corrections officer among multiple arrests for getting drugs into jail” by Joyanna Love

A Chilton County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer and several others were arrested for coordinating drugs being brought into the jail. This story was published in August. On Dec. 15, the case was set to be sent to a future grand jury.

5

“School board accepts 15 resignations” by Joyanna Love

The Chilton County Board of Education accepted 15 resignations/retirements in one meeting. New hires, principal pay concerns and Blast from the Past were also discussed at the meeting.

6

“Traffic stop leads to drug charges arrest” by Joyanna Love

The Maplesville Police Department arrested Jason Gilmore of Birmingham on March 14 on drug-related charges after initially stopping him for an equipment violation.

The Maplesville Police Chief at the time Robbie Autery said Officer Braford conducted the traffic stop, which resulted in the arrest of Gilmore on charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana first and possession of drug paraphernalia.

7

“Death at county jail being investigated” From ALEA

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation into the death of Stacey Taylor, 50, of Clanton at the Chilton County Jail. On Oct. 25, a Grand Jury determined there was no criminal offense involved in the death based on SBI’s presentation.

8

“One dead in head-on collision near Maplesville” From ALEA

An 18-year old’s vehicle collided head-on with another vehicle driven by an 18-year-old on Highway 22. Passenger Antonio Amiru Hinton, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene.

9

“Former Chilton residents land show on A&E” by Joyanna Love

Cody Cummings, a Chilton County High School alumnus, Matt Morgan, Thorsby High School alumnus, and Paul Mielke of Montgomery, formerly of Billingsley were the flipping and business savvy of A&E’s “Flipping Down South.” “Flipping Down South” follows the team as they purchase rundown houses in need of major attention and turn them into comfortable, eye catching homes as Apollo Property Group and Flip Apollo in Birmingham. Since this article was published, the show aired five episodes in March and April of 2022.

10

“Clanton Chief of Staff shares Starbucks expected open date” by Joyanna Love

City of Clanton Chief of Staff Bob Woods mentioned that Starbucks was expected to open in May, while giving a number of updates about the city to the Clanton Kiwanis Club. Starbucks wound up opening that autumn.