Sad stories pique interest of BG web readers in 2023

After several years of crime-and-punishment stories leading the pack, tragedy captured the interest of Banner Graphic website readers in 2023, according to a survey of top stories ranked by pageviews.

The most-accessed story all of last year on the Banner Graphic website came on March 4, detailing the tragic deaths of Rick Miles, 65, and his daughter-in-law, Brooke Miles, 46, both of Roachdale, who perished when a 65-foot ash tree downed by 35-mph winds fell on top of their vehicle. Two juveniles and Brooke’s husband survived the accident on County Road 500 North. The tragic story garnered 9,315 pageviews.

The horrific situation also produced the 10th-most viewed story, “Community rallies around Miles family in wake of tragedy,” published two days later.

Also falling within the top 10 stories were the sad details of the health-related deaths of Greencastle High School English teacher and former football coach Mike Meyer, 60, who died at home while preparing for the first day of school, and retired Greencastle Fire Chief Bill Newgent, 54, who also passed away unexpectedly in stories filed Aug. 4 and Jan. 21, respectively. They were the third and seventh most-read stories of the year.

Crime and punishment also piqued readers interest, landing four stories in the top 10 for 2023 with the allegations against former Life Builder Community Church pastor and local businessman Bobby D. Hopper, 56, being the second-most read story when posted May 24. With 9,012 pageviews, readers learned an investigation resulted in allegations that Hopper had stolen $160,000 via reported misappropriation of funds from the Greencastle church.

Hopper made an initial court appearance that same day, pleading not guilty in a case that is scheduled to see a final pretrial conference on March 13 in Putnam Superior Court.

The year’s No. 4 story was the arrest of Joseph Rosa, 72, Greencastle, for the alleged murder of his wife, Nancy, in a story filed Jan. 3. The Rosa case also produced the year’s No. 14 story on May 16, following his court appearance. A final pretrial conference in that case is scheduled for March 7 in Putnam Circuit Court.

“Suspect takes own life in Woods Edge standoff” was the fifth-most followed story of 2023. The victim was not identified in the July 11 case since it was a suicide. Another standoff story was ranked eighth from Jan. 10 with Darrel Goff being arrested at his East Side Greencastle home.

At No. 6 was the sad story May 11 of a Kansas woman, the victim of an online scammer who bilked her out of her Social Security check and other funds. As she was driving her handicap-accessible van to Connecticut to presumably begin a new life, the vehicle broke down along Interstate 70, stranding her in Putnam County. Business and personal financial contributions and donations of labor helped get her back to Kansas.

The ninth-most accessed story on the BG website was the March 13 saga involving DePauw University putting the Myers’ Market property up for sale (the business was never for sale). The situation was eventually resolved between the university and Myers’ Market. The popular Greencastle butcher shop and eatery continuers to operate at its familiar Washington Street location.

The top 20 viewed stories for Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023 on the Banner Graphic website

1. Two dead after tree falls on vehicle (3/4/23) 9,315 pageviews.
2. Former minister reportedly stole $160,000 from local church (5/24/23) 9,012 pageviews.
3. Longtime GHS English teacher Mike Meyer passes away (8/4/23) 5,119 pageviews.
4. Greencastle man charged in wife’s death (5/14/23) 4,217 pageviews.
5. Subject takes own life in Woods Edge standoff (7/11/23) 3,968 pageviews.
6. Scammed traveler remains in Putnam County one week later (5/11/23) 3,890 pageviews.
7. William Fredrick “Bill” Newgent dies (1/21/23) 3,541 pageviews.
8. Greencastle man in custody following standoff (1/10/23) 3,308 pageviews.
9. Myers’ Market property, but not business, goes up for sale (3/13/23) 3,149 pageviews.
10. Community rallies around Miles family in wake of tragedy (3/6/23) 2,561 pageviews.
11. Heritage Lake man (Alan Blackledge, 64) dies in crash in New Winchester (6/8/23) 2,525 pageviews.
12. Crash on U.S. 231 South (2/7/23) 2,357 pageviews.
13. French resigns as GCSC assistant superintendent (1/5/23) 2,231 pageviews.
14. Rosa makes court appearance in murder case (5/16/23) 2,195 pageviews.
15. Two dead (Jordan Poole, 42, Kristen Allen, 38) in Floyd Township house fire (5/24/23) 2,195 pageviews.
16. Jackson Township home (Jeanette Wood property) destroyed in fire (3/4/23) 2,138 pageviews.
17. One dead (Carol Henry, 71) in Van Bibber Lake fire (4/19/23) 2,079 pageviews.
18. Large barn (on Ben and Jody Latham property) destroyed by fire (3/15/23) 2,060 pageviews.
19. North Putnam board votes to retain Vince Brooks (5/19/23) 1,998 pageviews.
20. Youth treatment center CEO (Kevin Reckelhoff, 52, Indianapolis) faces sexual misconduct charge in Putnam County (7/5/23) 1,937 pageviews.