From layoffs to strikes, tornadoes to snowstorms and new events to movie productions, several stories made big news in Enid through 2009.



“This year was truly a mixed year,” said Cindy Allen, managing editor. “The recession has started to affect our area, but we have also had some very significant im-provements and community wins this past year.”



Enid News & Eagle staff contemplated the many stories that occurred throughout the year and narrowed those to the Top 10 for the year.

We start our countdown with stories 10-6.



10. Area teen is killed in acid attack



An alleged fight over a girl resulted in the death of an 18-year-old Waynoka man late last year, and a man has been bound over for trial.

Jason Michael Nelson, 33, will go to trial this summer in Woods County District Court for the death of 18-year-old Nathan Lyon.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, Lyon and Nelson had arranged to fight after Nelson sent a sexually explicit text message to a female friend of Lyon’s. The men were to meet about a mile north of Waynoka. When Nelson arrived, he threw a plastic jar of concentrated sulfuric acid into Lyon’s face, according to the affidavit. The young man died Jan. 4.



9. Senior nutrition program sees cuts, and local churches step in to take up the state’s slack



When cuts to senior meals program meant Wheatheart Nutrition would take a $230,000 hit to its program, local churches banded together to make sure the meals still would be provided.

Due to the cut, Wheatheart had decided to eliminate its Friday meals, furlough employees and close some of its kitchens.

More than eight churches have committed to bringing the meals to seniors through the end of this year. The church groups continue to work with Wheatheart Nutrition on ways to continue to provide the meals for senior citizens; however, as state shortfalls continue, more cuts may come.



8. Enid becomes one of state sites to film ‘The killer Inside Me,’ and locals play roles of extras



Many local residents were cast as extras in the movie “The Killer Inside Me,” which was filmed in various places in Oklahoma during the summer. Even News & Eagle news clerk Patsy Sorrels got in on the act, as she was cast as one of the extras and also wrote a column about it.

The movie, which will be shown at the Sundance Film Festival, stars Casey Affleck and Jessica Alba. Affleck was filmed in many scenes around the downtown Square.

Crews took about two days to film scenes in Enid. The movie will be released to the general public in 2010.



7. More than 2,500 Kites take to skies over Enid in a flying attempt to try to break a world record set in Gaza



More than 2,598 kites graced the Enid sky in mid-September, but it wasn’t enough to break the world record, which had been set at 3,710 in the Gaza Strip,

Still, Enid’s first Kites Over Enid kite-flying event was hailed as a North American record and a success in many ways, including bringing wind energy representatives to Enid for the day.

Stan Hicks, a board member with Enid Habitat for Humanity, organized the event as a fundraiser for the local group. The idea took flight, so to speak, and Brent Kisling, executive director of Enid/Garfield County Development Alliance, used the event as an opportunity to bring in wind power executives from across the country.

The day included busloads of students arriving at the designated flying area behind Autry Technology Center to participate in the event. Families and others also took the opportunity to fly kites that day.

Organizers already are working on a way to make Kites Over Enid an annual event.



6. Police department Captains see suspensions after an acquittal of suspect in 2007 murder case



Enid Police Department Capts. Dean Grassino and Tom Nichols have been suspended with pay and are under investigation by Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation at the request of EPD Chief Rick West.

This ongoing story started in early December during the trial of Rudarty Redbone Archilta Sr., 61, who was found not guilty Dec. 10 by Associate District Judge Tom Newby after a non-jury trial. He was on trial for the July 18, 2007, beating deaths of 56-year-old Beaulah Roye Hodges and 32-year-old Pamela Jean LeClair.

Four days into Archilta’s trial a report was discovered that halted the trial so prosecutors and the defense could review what was found. During that time, further evidence and documents also were found, which led to an evidentiary hearing.

It was during testimony from Rick and Randy West, Grassino and Nichols about a report prepared by Randy West that was not included in the case file for the murder trial. The testimony of Rick and Randy West differed from the testimony of Grassino and Nichols about whether Randy West’s report was included in the file.

This is a story that will continue into 2010, as the OSBI investigation could take months, according to OSBI officials.



The News & Eagle will continue its countdown Monday with stories 5-2.