Friday, December 30th 2011, 4:06 pm
As the year draws to a close, we review what stories NewsOn6.com users found most clickable in 2011. It's been a year of extremes, from record cold temps to a string of 100 degree scorchers, to the state's record-breaking earthquake.
But it was a record-breaking standoff that tops out our list of most read stories.
Here's a list of its most viewed news stories from the past year, from first to last by number of page views.
1. Man On Tulsa Tower Refuses Rescue Efforts – August 16, 2011
Tulsan William Sturdivant II, also known as Tower Guy, captured the attention of the nation by climbing up a 300-foot communications tower and refusing to come down for several days. This in the heat of an Oklahoma August. While we're not trying to make a hero of the man who cost Tulsa police and the tax payers time and money, Sturdivant's exploits went viral and made him our top web story of 2011.
2. Victims Identified In Spring River Crash Near Miami, Oklahoma – February 3, 2011
The February 2011 blizzard proved fatal for three people who died after an SUV plunged off an Interstate 44 bridge into the Spring River near Miami. There were eight people in the vehicle, trying to get to work in the dangerous conditions. SkyNews6 captured rescue and recovery efforts from the air as emergency workers braved hypothermia to bring the victims home.
3. Chouteau Clerk Mistaken For Casey Anthony Attacked With Minivan – July 14, 2011
A Chouteau woman told The News On 6 that crazed woman tried to kill her because the woman thought she was Casey Anthony. The woman was the victim of assault and battery after the Florida woman's trial. Her attacker told police she was "trying to save the children."
4. Headless Woman Found In Tulsa Home Identified – February 14, 2011
A 55-year-old Tulsa woman died in her home in late December or January, and her body was not discovered until mid February. Police say her two dogs may have eaten parts of her body.
5. TU Student, Gunman Dead After Tulsa Chase And Carjackings -- May 31, 2011
A quiet spring day erupted in tragedy when a gunman carjacked a young TU student and shot him when the 24-year-old China native refused to surrender his car. The escaping suspect also opened fire into a Walmart Neighborhood Market at 21st and Yale.
6. More Aftershocks Sunday, After Oklahoma's Largest Earthquake Saturday – November 5, 2011
Oklahomans expect severe weather, extreme heat and cold, but many were surprised to experience the state's largest ever earthquake November 5. Aftershocks continued to rock the state, causing damage to homes and businesses.
7. Tornado Damage Reported Near Canton Lake In Oklahoma – May 23, 2011
An outbreak of tornadoes was responsible for nine deaths in central Oklahoma. The deaths included the 16-month-old and 3-year-old sons from one Piedmont family.
8. Winter Storm Dumps More Than A Foot Of Snow In Parts Of NE Oklahoma – February 8, 2011
A band of heavy snow dumped over two feet of the white stuff on parts of northeastern Oklahoma, virtually shutting down many cities and keeping residents homebound. This story concerns the second of two winter storms that accounted for record low temperatures.
9. Claremore Teen Arrested After Suspected DUI Crash Kills Man, Baby – June 17, 2011
A wreck caused by a teenage drunk driver took the lives of a father and infant son and injured the young mother. The 5 a.m. wreck took place on Highway 66 in Rogers County. Investigators say 18-year-old Keaton Hannah was driving the wrong way when he hit the family's SUV head on.
10. Complaint Upgraded To First Degree Murder For Tulsa Woman Arrested In Husband's Death -- June 8, 2011
A young Tulsa man plunged 17 stories to his death through a broken window at the University Club Towers. His 19-year-old pregnant wife told Tulsa police she and her husband were arguing and she pushed him, causing him to fall through the window to the parking garage below, according to arrest reports.
Other top stories of 2011:
OSU's Women Basketball Coach And Assistant Killed In Plane Crash – November 18, 2011
In November, for the second time in school history, a plane crash devastated the Oklahoma State University family, killing the women's basketball head coach, assistant coach, and two alumni. The Cowboys rallied after the tragedy going on to have one of the best football records in OSU history.
Suspect In Weleetka Girls' Murders Says He Shot 'Two Monsters' – December 9, 2011
After three years without a suspect, prosecutors charged Kevin Sweat, who was already jailed accused of killing his fiance, with the murder of two young Weleetka girls.
Cherokee Election Commission Certifies Bill John Baker As Principal Chief – October 12, 2011
It was a roller coaster year for the Cherokee Nation. After 4 months, several bitter exchanges, a recount and a special election to sort it all out, Bill John Baker was sworn in as chief.
American Airlines Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection - November 29, 2011
Tulsa's largest employer, American Airlines, finally succumbed to bankruptcy, leaving thousands of Green Country employees to worry about their jobs, salaries, and pensions.
Mobster Connected To Infamous 1981 Tulsa Murder Arrested – June 23, 2011
After 16 years on the run, reputed mob boss Whitey Bulger who was linked to the 1981 murder of a Tulsa businessman was finally arrested.
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