By Al Stilley
Southsider Voice correspondent
International news events of 2014 that involved Southsiders made a lasting impact upon readers of The Southsider Voice.
You, our faithful readers, ranked three international stories among the top 10 news stories based upon a record number of ballots.
It was fitting that the ongoing story of Dr. Kent Brantly, whose religious and educational roots go back to Southeastern Church of Christ, was the top news story of 2014. Seventy percent of those who submitted ballots selected Brantly as the top story.
The Southside native served as a missionary physician in Nigeria, where he contracted the deadly Ebola disease. He was flown via a special medical air charter to Atlanta for treatment at Emory University Hospital. His arrival there was televised internationally.
Brantly survived and became a prominent spokesperson for international aid to countries where Ebola flourishes.
He is married, has two children and is the son of Southsiders Dr. Jim and Jan Brantly.
Brantly also was recognized on one of the year-end covers of “Time” as the publication named the Ebola fighters as its People of the Year.
Here are the rest of our top 10 news stories of 2014:
2) Indianapolis police officer and 20-year Southport resident Perry Renn, 51, killed in gunfire exchange on the Northside.
3) Franklin Central High School graduate Valerie Rockey wows the nation with her dancing skills and becomes runner-up in Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” competition.
4) Around-the-world flight originates from Greenwood Municipal Airport but ends in tragedy with deaths of father and son Rabar and Haris Suleman of Plainfield in small plane crash in American Samoa.
5) New year greets Southsiders with snowstorm.
6) Greenwood pilot William Michael Gilliland killed in a small plane crash upon takeoff from Greenwood Airport, narrowly missing nearby homes and businesses.
7) Controversial plan for plasma center at Madison Avenue and Southport Road is withdrawn by developers after Southside opposition led by Greater Southport Business Alliance.
8) Separate multimillion dollar developments in Beech Grove include expansion of Kinetrex Energy and ADM Mill, development of the Rockpile and plans for Community Health Network pavilion.
9) Southport Redevelopment Commission and Partnership for Affordable Housing announce $10.8 million, 93-unit complex for senior citizens on long-vacated Davidson Industries property.
10) Southside teachers Sharon and Erin Ancelet, Nancy Meyer and Lynn Baumann share their teaching practices with teachers in the remote and underdeveloped town of Arua, Uganda.
We are humbled, yet proud, to provide our readers with news of Southsiders and of the Southside every week.
Thank you for reading The Voice, and congratulations to Mary Schembra for winning $25 for entering our contest to vote for the top stories.
Southsider Voice correspondent
International news events of 2014 that involved Southsiders made a lasting impact upon readers of The Southsider Voice.
You, our faithful readers, ranked three international stories among the top 10 news stories based upon a record number of ballots.
It was fitting that the ongoing story of Dr. Kent Brantly, whose religious and educational roots go back to Southeastern Church of Christ, was the top news story of 2014. Seventy percent of those who submitted ballots selected Brantly as the top story.
The Southside native served as a missionary physician in Nigeria, where he contracted the deadly Ebola disease. He was flown via a special medical air charter to Atlanta for treatment at Emory University Hospital. His arrival there was televised internationally.
Brantly survived and became a prominent spokesperson for international aid to countries where Ebola flourishes.
He is married, has two children and is the son of Southsiders Dr. Jim and Jan Brantly.
Brantly also was recognized on one of the year-end covers of “Time” as the publication named the Ebola fighters as its People of the Year.
Here are the rest of our top 10 news stories of 2014:
2) Indianapolis police officer and 20-year Southport resident Perry Renn, 51, killed in gunfire exchange on the Northside.
3) Franklin Central High School graduate Valerie Rockey wows the nation with her dancing skills and becomes runner-up in Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” competition.
4) Around-the-world flight originates from Greenwood Municipal Airport but ends in tragedy with deaths of father and son Rabar and Haris Suleman of Plainfield in small plane crash in American Samoa.
5) New year greets Southsiders with snowstorm.
6) Greenwood pilot William Michael Gilliland killed in a small plane crash upon takeoff from Greenwood Airport, narrowly missing nearby homes and businesses.
7) Controversial plan for plasma center at Madison Avenue and Southport Road is withdrawn by developers after Southside opposition led by Greater Southport Business Alliance.
8) Separate multimillion dollar developments in Beech Grove include expansion of Kinetrex Energy and ADM Mill, development of the Rockpile and plans for Community Health Network pavilion.
9) Southport Redevelopment Commission and Partnership for Affordable Housing announce $10.8 million, 93-unit complex for senior citizens on long-vacated Davidson Industries property.
10) Southside teachers Sharon and Erin Ancelet, Nancy Meyer and Lynn Baumann share their teaching practices with teachers in the remote and underdeveloped town of Arua, Uganda.
We are humbled, yet proud, to provide our readers with news of Southsiders and of the Southside every week.
Thank you for reading The Voice, and congratulations to Mary Schembra for winning $25 for entering our contest to vote for the top stories.
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