Editor
President Donald J. Trump’s visit to Southport High School in front of more than 10,000 supporters is The Southsider Voice’s top story of 2018. His visit took place Nov. 2 and created a buzz throughout the Southside, particularly inside and outside Southport Fieldhouse where vendors sold President Trump items and attracted hundreds of curiosity seekers, too.
You, our beloved readers, decided the top 10 stories with a record number of ballots. The presidential visit was marked by 54.5 percent of respondents with 86.4 percent of those voters ranking the visit as the No. 1 story. We are honored, yet humbled, to have so many devoted readers and supporters who enjoy reading the “good news” of the people and events on the Southside throughout 2019.
The top 10 stories of 2018:
1. President Trump leads rally for America in front of 10,500 supporters in historic Southport Fieldhouse.
2. Drive begins to save Manual High School and Emma Donnan Middle School in public meetings with State Board of Education liaison and task force.
3. Matt English, beloved Beech Grove High School athletic director/boys’ basketball coach, dies of cancerous brain tumors after courageous seven-year battle.
4. Greenwood opens Smith Valley Road roundabout to ease congestion on U.S. 31, Madison Ave., Meridian St., and completes first phase of improvements on Madison and Emerson avenues.
5. Lt. Aaron Allan Memorial unveiled during public opening of new Southport Municipal Building.
6. INDOT releases final report that officially sets I-69 path and interchanges along Ind. 37 corridor on Southside.
7. Greenwood native and Channel 13 broadcaster Carlos Diaz covers Winter Olympics in South Korea.
8. Fans honor former basketball coach and hall of famer Bill Springer.
9. Southside community forces one-month delay in closing part of Shelby Street due to DigIndy underground project.
10. Pastor Jim Wilmoth retires after 53 years of leadership at St. Roch Catholic Church.