Updated: 2018’s top 50 stories (based on page views)

With the  Delaware Business Now newsletter taking a break over the holidays, it ’s a fitting time to look back on the top stories of 2018. 

The ranking is based on page views and typically involves stories that were not covered (at least at first) by legacy media.

The ranking leaves out pivotal news events such as the merger-spinoff at DowDuPont and the demolition of the Boxwood GM plant site (No. 52). The site will become a logistics center. 

The top post came over the summer when the Blood Bank of Delmarva declared an emergency as reserves fell below the seven-day level. The good news was that the legacy media did pick up on the activity and came up with stories of their own that helped attract donors. 

Topics ran the gamut and included plans to redevelop the College Square Shopping Center in Newark,  Sears closing its Prices Corner store, the opening of  the LA Fitness Center in Bear, a 1916 post on the technology hub at JP Morgan Chase in north Wilmington and the tragic fire at Willey Farms in southern New Castle County.

Readers continued to like “what’s new” stories that included store, restaurant and entertainment openings. Whte collar crime also attracted page views. 

The most viewed Our View was a look at the life of Meredith Chapman, the beloved social media pioneer at the University of Delaware who left us far too soon. 

Another post that continued to draw page views was the 2016  closing of  Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse, near Christiana Hospital. The home of the talking moose is now part of  Miller’s Ale House, a sports bar-restaurant chain.

Here are the top 50:

1. 1. Blood Bank declares an emergency as reserves fall below the 7-day level
   2. Wilmington ranked as the 5th most dangerous city
   3. State Police using non-traditional vehicles in an effort to detect distracting driving
   4. College Square redevelopment announced
   5. Sears rolls out going out of business ads for a store for Prices Corner location
   6. Main Event, bowling-entertainment complex in Christiana to open on March 6
   7. Updated: Family members from New Jersey killed in Delaware Route 1 crash
   8. An inside look at the JPMorgan Chase tech hub
   9. (Updated) Hurricane Florence weakens as heavy rains continue.
   10. LA Fitness chain opens sign-up center as work continues on first Delaware location
   11. (Updated) Former UD marketing director remembered
   12. Top Trending: Safeway to shutter Naamans and Foulk Road store in early November
   13. Family member, former executive of company to buy DuPont Country Club
   14. DSM Commercial announces new tenants for Simons Corner in Smyrna
   15. Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse closes its doors
   16. Wingstop to land first Delaware store in Bear
   17. Our view: Firestone Roasting House getting a new name
   18. Congressional delegation to bring job fair to Kent County
   19. American Airlines adding flights to Zurich, Prague and other destinations
   20. Update: ATF at scene of fire that destroyed Townsend’s Willey Farms
   21. ATF seeks suspect, offers reward, after device reportedly ignites blaze at Dollar Tree
   22. Wooden Wheels bike shop will return on April 7
   23. Undercover prostitution sting at Newark hotel leads to 6 arrests
   24. Milford doctor faces federal indictment for allegedly operating ‘pill mill’
   25. Developer of former Claymont steel site donates 15.5  acres for rail station
   26. Steak ‘n Shake plans location in Middletown
   27. Troopers say fight, broken glass apparently triggered shooting report at Christiana Mall
   28. Delaware DMV announces five-digit tag release day will be Nov. 7
   29. Auction announced as Don Pablo’s says adios to Christiana restaurant
   30. (Update) Fashion Center adding Starbucks, Qdoba, Jersey Mike’s, Famous Footwear
   31. Fast-growing Greene Turtle opening Monday on Concord Pike
   32. What you need to know about getting into the food truck business
   33. Newark Police arrest Wilmington man on home improvement fraud, drug charges
   34. Former chief deputy to file in Attorney General’s race
   35. Update: Formosa Plastics to close Delaware City plant
   36. Delaware restaurateur David Weir dies
   37. Closing of Walther Road in Bear for bridge work will add to congestion
   38. Updated: Ashland to move headquarters to Wilmington 
   39. (Photo gallery) Hotel & Lodging Association honors award winners
   40. Waite returns to morning drive at WJBR
   41. DowDuPont warns investors about a mini-tender scheme
   42. Yes, a limited variety of fireworks are legal in Delaware
   43. Partner at Wilmington pizzeria gets 2 years for tax fraud
   44. Aldi to open first store in Wilmington area
   45. Peruvian chicken chain to open restaurant in Christiana
   46. Last call for Tailgates in Ogletown
   47. 2018 Delaware Entrepreneurship Summit
   48. Massive Comcast outage reported; Del. customers say service is back
   49. DuPont shutting down product line at Chambers Works
   50. Blue Hen B&B co-owner Amy Eschenbrenner dies