The year 2007 for the Carthage area will go done in history as one of unpredictable weather,  historic constructions and sudden resignations.

But for Carthage High School football fans, there is no question as to what the top story of 2007 is – a 23-22 victory over the Webb City Cardinals.

Overshadowing a year of ice storms and flooding that caused significant damage and construction of a new hospital and t he passage of a $29 million school bond issue, the historic game on Wednesday, Nov. 7, is the Carthage Press top story of the year.

Coming in at second and third were  the two ice storms of 2007. The recent ice storm the first of this month is the No. 2 story of 2007 and the January ice storm is the No. 3 story.

Rounding out the top five are two construction projects. No. 4 is the virtual completion of the new McCune-Brooks Hospital and No. 5 is the starting of construction of the new Carthage High School on River Street.

The next five stories are: Carthage Humane Society woes; Carthage Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gary Reed resigns; City of Carthage starts work on a new comprehensive plan; summer flooding causes extensive damage; Carthage Chief of Police Dennis Veach resigns.

Honorable mention stories are the completion of the Carthage Library addition and the announcement of an agreement between Carthage R-9 and Missouri Southern State University to use the current McCune-Brooks Hospital for educational purposes.

Following is a recap of the Top 10 stories of 2007

1. Carthage beats Webb City
Avenging a 44-25 loss to Webb City the second game of the year,  the Carthage Tigers capped a story book finish to come from behind to defeat the Cardinals, ending more than 20 years of frustration. A field goal by Stephen Poston with just seconds remaining send the No. 1 State Ranked Cardinals home in the sectionals of the state playoffs. The victory set off an eruption by the Carthage fans who ran out onto the field ad celebrated for about an hour after the game.

2. December ice storm
After already enduring a massive ice storm in January, the Carthage area suffered through another one in December, this one more devastating than the January version. There was widespread power outage throughout the community with many residences without power for more than a week. A shelter was set up at the Fairview Christian Church, roads were impassable and thousands of trees were damaged from the ice.

3. January ice storm
For the first time in many years, an ice storm paralyzed the Carthage area, but not as bad as the one 11 months later would. There were many power outages, but power was quickly restored. The storm forced the Carthage Press not to print a newspaper one day because of no power at the Neosho Daily News where the Press is printed.

4. McCune-Brooks Hospital construction.
Area residents saw the progress of the construction of the new McCune-Brooks Hospital. Construction of the new facility was virtually completed in 2007. Moving date will be Jan. 18, marking a new era for the long-time Carthage hospital.

5. Construction starts on the new Carthage High School
Construction finally started this summer on the long-awaited Carthage High School. Walls are up as the shape of a school can finally be seen. The issue was passed in 2006, but work not could start until bids were awarded and final architectural plans were complete. Construction is expected to conclude in December and students will start classes in the new school in January 2009.

6. Carthage Humane Society woes
A year-long lawsuit by the Missouri Attorney General’s office against the Carthage Humane Society was settled just recently. The suit claimed several financial problems within the Humane Society, along with some problems associated with the care of animals. The major provisions in the settlement involve record keeping, financial and transparency issues that the attorney general had with the board in the past.

7. Carthage Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gary Reed resides
After serving eight years as superintendent of Carthage R-9 Schools, Dr. Gary Reed submitted his resignation on Sept. 17. Exactly two months later, on Dec. 17, the board hired Dr Blaine A. Henningsen from St. Charles to replace Reed effective July 1, 2008.

8. City of Carthage starts work on comprehensive plan
Seeing the need for a short-term and long-term plan for the future of Carthage,  city leaders started work this year on formulating a comprehensive plan. The plan will be used to plan for growth that is expected to occur in Carthage in the not-so-near future. Several Carthage residents are involved in the planning process.

9. Summer flooding causes wide-spread damage
In June, rains swamped Carthage and Jasper county with a deluge of water dumping more than seven inches of rain. The rain caused wide-spread flooding closing roads and causing Kellogg Lake to overflow its banks. June became the wettest June on record in Jasper County.

10. Carthage Chief of Police Dennis Veach resigns
After serving as chief of police for the last nine years, Dennis Veach submitted his resignation in October to accept a similar position in Sachse, Texas. Appointed interim chief of police was Lt. Barry Duncan.