Kent Reporter’s most viewed web stories in 2012

Here are the top 12 most viewed stories on the Kent Reporter’s website for 2012, according to Google Analytics:

1. U.S. Attorney’s Office issues statement about marijuana law (December)

The U.S. Attorney’s Office issued a statement in connection with Washington’s new marijuana law that became effective on Thursday, Dec. 6, allowing the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana

2. STATE ELECTION RESULTS: Inslee leads governor race; marijuana legalization and gay marriage pass (November)

Election resutls chart.

3. Kent teen star in London meets Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Elton John (June)

A Kent teen starring in a London musical doubted his manager who told him Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie wanted to see him after the show.

4. State to close Highway 167 between Kent-Renton Aug. 10-13 (August)

Kent drivers should prepare for a complete closure of Highway 167 in both directions Friday, Aug. 10 to Monday, Aug. 13 between South 180th Street and Interstate 405.

5. H.D. Hotspurs closes in Kent; Goodwill Outlet store might be moving in (May)

The closure of H.D. Hotspurs after 32 years as a popular Kent restaurant and nightclub is just one of several changes going on next to Kmart in the Washington Avenue strip mall.

6. Kent motorcyclist killed after collision with car in Panther Lake area; medical examiner identifies man (August)

A 56-year-old Kent man was killed Wednesday morning after a car collided with his motorcycle at about 6:44 a.m. in the 12200 block of Southeast 223rd Drive in the Panther Lake area.

7. Kentlake swim coach killed in plane crash (February)

Kentlake High swim coach Seth Dawson, 31, was one of three people who were on a plane that crashed Wednesday near North Bend, according to the swim club he worked for, Valley Aquatics Swim Team.

8. Kent garbage truck driver helps stranded girl (February)

Kent garbage truck driver Hal Smith noticed a young girl standing alone on the other side of the street as he rumbled through his final East Hill neighborhood on a recent afternoon.

9. Albertsons stores in Kent, Auburn to close (September)

SuperValu Inc. will close the only Albertsons store in Kent and one of two in Auburn as part of a shut down of 27 stores in Southern California, Oregon and Washington.

10. Kentridge graduate Marques Weekly drowns in Lake Tapps (August)

Marques Weekly touched a lot of lives with his participation in football, track and field and drama at Kentridge High School. So when word spread that Weekly, 19, of Kent, had drowned Sunday at Lake Tapps in Pierce County, the news hit the campus hard, even during summer recess and one year after his graduation.

11. Kent Station adds 2 more quick-serve restaurants (April)

Kent Station continues to build on its shopping, dining and entertainment experience for customers, adding two new restaurants. Extreme Pita, specializing in a large selection of fresh and nutritious pita wraps – opens this summer. Naked Pizza, which offers natural and healthy choices, opens soon thereafter.

12. Missing: Still no answers about Kent woman 3 years after disappearance (April)

Friends, family and the Kent Police all seem to come up with the same response about the disappearance three years ago of 21-year-old Alyssa McLemore. “Nothing has changed in three years, sadly,” said Melissa Moore, a best friend of the Kent woman.