From left, Athens Utilities linemen Christian Runge, Philip Roberson, Landon Lawrence, Daniel Tucker and Bryant Cornelius pose for a photo next to an Athens Utilities bucket truck. The five-man crew traveled to Starke, Florida, to aid in power restoration efforts after Hurricane Irma. 

Maybe it’s not so surprising that 2017’s most-read stories at enewscourier.com weren’t the warm and fuzzy ones. Stories about crime and crashes received the most clicks, but that’s not to say there weren’t a few heartwarming headlines that received a fair amount of attention.

To that end, we’ve compiled the top 12 stories that tugged on not only our heartstrings but also those of our readers. We hope you enjoyed reading them as much as we enjoyed writing them:

January

Good samaritan pulls city workers from wreck

Jimmy Eckhardt was in his front yard Jan. 18, talking to a neighbor when an Athens Utilities truck left the road and overturned about 50 yards from where Eckhardt stood.

The two Athens Utilities employees could have sustained further harm if it not for Eckhardt’s quick actions.

“As soon as I got there, I saw the gas coming out of the motor,” he said. “I helped one dude get out on his feet and then the other guy was struggling to get out, so I helped him. I looked and saw the gas coming out, so we skipped out of there as fast as we could and put him on the ground (across the road). They’re both lucky to still be alive.”

February

Bundles of blessings: Athens family represents March of Dimes

On Feb. 8, The News Courier reported that the Burns family of Athens had been named the March of Dimes’ ambassador family for 2017. Both of the Burns’ children were born prematurely and spent several days in the neonatal intensive care unit, which serves babies recently born.

As an official ambassador family, the Burns spoke to different groups throughout North Alabama on a quest to raise $10,000 for the March of Dimes.

March

Limestone school bus driver honored for 47 years of service

“Miss Betty” Adams was honored at a “Love the Bus” event, sponsored by the American School Bus Council. Adams began driving in January 1971 and shared some of her experiences with The News Courier in a story published March 11.

“If I knew I was gonna drive this long, I would have kept a book of funny things kids say,” she said.

For example, she once angered a third-grader who told her, “I’ll tell you one thing, if Momma’s car is out of the shop, I’m gonna drive to school tomorrow. And I hope it’s out of the shop.”

April

Owens Elementary memories relived

Schools may close, but the people who attend them never forget how they were shaped by teachers and what they learned inside classrooms.

Owens Elementary School closed at the end of the spring 2017 semester, with students and faculty starting the 2017-2018 school year at the new Sugar Creek Elementary. In April, the public had an opportunity to attend an open house at the 70-year-old Owens school and reminisce with teachers and former classmates.

Teacher Beth Tuten said she remembers standing with a jar outside stores to raise money for Harvest Festival, because whoever raised the most money won the title King or Queen.

“There are so many memories, there’s no way you could tell all of them,” she said.

May

ABS ‘Fab Five’ graduate college before high school

Some parents consider themselves fortunate if they have children who will willingly do homework. Lazy students could take a lesson from ReAnna McCormack, Olivia Hurst, April Hagewood, Emily Watson and Elizabeth Usery — five Athens Bible School students who earned associate’s degrees from community college before completing their careers at ABS.

Principal Randall Adams hoped younger students would see the Fab Five’s success and realize though the job is tough, it can be done.

“The remarkable thing is their ACT scores ranged from 20-30,” he said. “Anyone who wants to accomplish this, can. It’s a matter of electing to do it and grinding the coursework.”

June

15th LCSHOF class inducted; Greenhaw remembered

The 2017 Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony was celebratory for inductees but the event was also tinged with sadness. Earlier that day, on June 27, Jackie Greenhaw died. The 2010 Citizen of the Year was instrumental in the formation of the Sports Hall of Fame.

“He was a great civic and community leader in Athens and Limestone County,” said LCSHOF President Jeff Hodges about Greenhaw. “He will be sorely missed.”

This year’s inductees were William “Bill” Legg, Robert Malone, Leslie Ramsey, Bill Ming, Thomas Woodroof Jr., Calvin Franklin, Dewayne Uselton and Jayne Clem.

July

Lewis moves up in county school system

Brad Lewis began his career with Limestone County Schools in 1998 as a history teacher at the Limestone County Career Technical Center. He also served as an assistant principal at Ardmore High School and four years as principal at Johnson Elementary School.

In July, Lewis, an Elkmont High School graduate, was promoted to the central office as executive director of curriculum and instruction.

“I’ve been blessed to work with great teachers and administrators, and I’ve learned a lot from those individuals,” he said.

August

SMART911: Man praises program after emergency

Some may view the pervasiveness of technology as a threat, but it may have saved the life of Ardmore resident Brian Burrus.

While home alone, Burrus suffered a seizure and lost consciousness. After waking up about four hours later, he was able to call 911 but couldn’t speak to a dispatcher. Because Burrus was enrolled in the the Smart911 program, the dispatcher was able to identify who was calling and send first-responders to Burrus’ home.

Setting up a free Smart911 profile is available to all residents in Athens and Limestone County and can be easily done at www.alc911.org/smart-911.

“It’s something you hope you never have to use, but if you do, you’re glad you have it,” said Taylor Shores, a 911 communications officer and shift leader.

September

LIGHT ‘EM UP: Athens sending linemen to assist Florida

The year 2017 had its share of tragedies, including hurricanes that devastated the Houston, Texas, area and parts of Florida.

Having experienced Mother Nature’s wrath through previous tornado emergencies, Athens Utilities has been the recipient of out-of-state help. When Hurricane Irma knocked out power to millions of Floridians, Athens Utilities sent a five-man crew to the city of Starke to help get the lights on.

“We’ve been on the other end of that (in the past) and we greatly appreciated the help,” said Blair Davis, manager of the city’s Electric Department.

October

Tragedy turns to hope in Bradley Walker’s latest album release

Country and gospel singer Bradley Walker, a Limestone County native, released his latest album, “Blessed: Hymns and Songs of Faith,” in October. It features hymns he grew up singing and features contributions from Vince Gill, Allison Kraus and the Oak Ridge Boys.

Walker’s current partnership with his label, the Gaither Music Company, was borne out of tragedy. He was asked to sing at the funeral of Joey Feek in 2016 and was heard by Bill and Gloria Gaither.

Walker’s 2016 release, “Call Me Old-Fashioned,” hit the Top 10 on the country album charts and included “In The Time That You Gave Me,” a touching duet with Joey that was recorded shortly before her death.

Despite his latest successes, Walker has kept his day job — materials coordinator at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.

November

Athens couple going strong after 60 years

Sid Suggs did not make the best first impression on his future bride-to-be, Faye. One day, Sid and his buddies shoved Faye aside to get to the playground.

“I thought he was so rude,” Faye said.

Granted, they were all in elementary school at the time. Sid remembers that incident, however.

Several years later, in 1957, Sid and Faye were married. In November, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Last year, Sid suffered a stroke that affected the right side of his body. Although he is bound to a wheelchair, his mind is still sharp.

“Things have gotten much harder since the stroke,” Faye said. “But we continue to hold on to each other. I was blessed to get a very good man who loves the Lord and has always served him.”

December

Grace of God: Couple waited 11 years for baby who arrived Christmas day

Our most-read heartwarming story of this month was published in Wednesday’s edition. In case you’ve forgotten, Emma Grace Pack was born Christmas Day at Athens-Limestone Hospital. She weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 21 inches long.

Pack was born to J.J. and Paul Pack, who waited 11 years for a child.

“J.J. believed when God was ready, he would give her a baby,” said Beth McCluskey, mother of the new mom. “And God gave her a baby on his son’s birthday.”