Images from the most read topics online, as well as some selections from Durango Herald editors of stories in 2012.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald file photo<br>Sydney Spies, an 18-year-old Durango High School student, drew international attention when her choice of a racy photo for the yearbook was rejected.<br>Sydney and her mother, Denise “Miki” Spies, 45, appeared on the “Today Show” in New York City, and then the teenager landed a bit role in a SyFy channel movie called “American Horror House.”<br>Attention didn’t end there. In August, Sydney and her mother were arrested when a party at their Durango home got out of hand. Sydney was suspected of obstructing a police officer, and mom was arrested on a similar charge as well as for resisting arrest and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Courtesy of Miki Spies Sydney Spies, an 18-year-old Durango High School student, drew international attention when her choice of a racy photo for the yearbook was rejected.<br><br>Sydney and her mother, Denise “Miki” Spies, 45, appeared on the “Today Show” in New York City, and then the teenager landed a bit role in a SyFy channel movie called “American Horror House.”<br><br>Attention didn’t end there. In August, Sydney and her mother were arrested when a party at their Durango home got out of hand. Sydney was suspected of obstructing a police officer, and mom was arrested on a similar charge as well as for resisting arrest and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Sydney Elizabeth Spies<br>Sydney Spies, an 18-year-old Durango High School student, drew international attention when her choice of a racy photo for the yearbook was rejected.<br><br>Sydney and her mother, Denise “Miki” Spies, 45, appeared on the “Today Show” in New York City, and then the teenager landed a bit role in a SyFy channel movie called “American Horror House.”<br><br>Attention didn’t end there. In August, Sydney and her mother were arrested when a party at their Durango home got out of hand. Sydney was suspected of obstructing a police officer, and mom was arrested on a similar charge as well as for resisting arrest and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
STEVE LEWIS/Durang Herald file photo<br>Dylan Redwine, 13, was on a court-ordered visit to his father’s house in Vallecito during the Thanksgiving break when he vanished.<br>All efforts have been in vain. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Dylan’s whereabouts.
Dylan Redwine<br>Dylan Redwine, 13, was on a court-ordered visit to his father’s house in Vallecito during the Thanksgiving break when he vanished.<br>All efforts have been in vain. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Dylan’s whereabouts.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald file photo<br>Dylan Redwine, 13, was on a court-ordered visit to his father’s house in Vallecito during the Thanksgiving break when he vanished.<br>All efforts have been in vain. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Dylan’s whereabouts.
Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald file photo<br>A 15-day wildfire in Montezuma County known as the Weber Fire burned 10,000 acres, forced the evacuation of 140 homes, put 390 homes on pre-evacuation notice and caused more than $5 million in damage.
Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald file photo<br>A 15-day wildfire in Montezuma County known as the Weber Fire burned 10,000 acres, forced the evacuation of 140 homes, put 390 homes on pre-evacuation notice and caused more than $5 million in damage.
SHAUN STANLEY/Durango Herald file photo<br>The USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a Colorado stage-race that attracts top international riders, brought fame but not the anticipated fortune to Durango, which was the starting point for the second year of competition.
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald file photo<br>The USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a Colorado stage-race that attracts top international riders, brought fame but not the anticipated fortune to Durango, which was the starting point for the second year of competition.
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald file photo<br>The USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a Colorado stage-race that attracts top international riders, brought fame but not the anticipated fortune to Durango, which was the starting point for the second year of competition.
DAVID BERGELAND/Durango Herald file photo<br>An explosion early June 26 at a large BP gas-compression station near Gem Village killed one contract worker and seriously injured two other contract workers.
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald file photo<br>A four-part series in the Herald carried interviews with returning military personnel, looking at their experiences and the challenges they face as civilians.
Durango Herald file<br>The 10th anniversary of the Missionary Ridge Fire, which swept over 72,000 acres and destroyed nearly 50 houses around Vallecito, was marked in the Herald with a four-day series. <br>The fire took its toll on La Plata County residents as it did on Jim Downs and Kathy Tucker who were waiting at the Red Cross shelter at Bayfield High School.
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald file photo<br>The 10th anniversary of the Missionary Ridge Fire, which swept over 72,000 acres and destroyed nearly 50 houses around Vallecito, was marked in the Herald with a four-day series.
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald file file photo<br>The 10th anniversary of the Missionary Ridge Fire, which swept over 72,000 acres and destroyed nearly 50 houses around Vallecito, was marked in the Herald with a four-day series.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald file photo<br>Four people – all in their late teens or early 20s – were killed and three others injured in a head-on collision on County Road 318 about one-half mile east of U.S. Highway 550.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald file photo<br>Lightning ignited tinder-dry vegetation July 22 about one mile southwest of Animas Air Park, triggering pre-evacuation notices to 146 residents in Trappers Crossing and areas northwest of the fire and shutting down at least one gas well pad.<br>The fire crossed a ridge and headed toward Lake Nighthorse, a reservoir built by the Bureau of Reclamation, before being controlled Aug. 2.
ISAIAH BRANCH-BOYLE/Durango Herald file photo<br>Lightning ignited tinder-dry vegetation July 22 about one mile southwest of Animas Air Park, triggering pre-evacuation notices to 146 residents in Trappers Crossing and areas northwest of the fire and shutting down at least one gas well pad.<br>The fire crossed a ridge and headed toward Lake Nighthorse, a reservoir built by the Bureau of Reclamation, before being controlled Aug. 2.
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald file photo<br>Michelle Obama wowed a large contingent of students and other supporters when she spoke Oct. 9 at Whalen Gymnasium at Fort Lewis College. The visit was part of a two-day swing through Colorado to stump for her husband.
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald file photo<br>Michelle Obama wowed a large contingent of students and other supporters when she spoke Oct. 9 at Whalen Gymnasium at Fort Lewis College. The visit was part of a two-day swing through Colorado to stump for her husband.
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald file photo<br>A propane tank leak Feb. 21 caused an explosion that injured three members of a family and demolished their home on County Road 243 north of Lemon Reservoir.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald file photo<br>Plastic bags were the source of much consternation throughout 2012. A task force was formed to discuss ways to reduce their use. Among the recommendations considered were either banning stores from providing them or imposing a tax on them.<br><br>No official action on any option has been taken.
