Big Foot, NASCAR, Tornadoes: Top NC News Stories Of 2019

NORTH CAROLINA — It's hard to believe 2019, and the decade, is already coming to an end due to how much happened this year, especially in the Charlotte metro and throughout the state. Whether it was a tragedy that tested our strength, a person or event that helped restore our faith in humanity, or something strange that left us not knowing whether to laugh, or sigh (or both), it's hard to believe how much happened around us this year.

Which ones did Patch readers find the most interesting? Patch has rounded up the top 20 most-read stories in North Carolina during 2019.

• North Carolina's Best School Districts 2020: Rankings Released: In August, a new ranking of North Carolina's best school districts was released.

• Fall Foliage Peak Map 2019: When Autumn Leaves Are Best In NC: For those who planned a fall foliage tour this year in North Carolina — or anywhere else in the country — this tool helped them make the most of it.

• Here's When Olive Garden Will Open In Mooresville: Olive Garden is set to open its doors in Mooresville in early 2020.

• Cancer-Linked Contaminants Found In Mooresville's Water: Group: In October, a study was released from an environmental advocacy group asserting that drinking water is often less safe than federal regulations deem legal.

• Forbes: Here's The Richest Resident In North Carolina:Forbes identified the richest person in each state. Here's who has the deepest pockets in North Carolina.

• Bear Kept Him Safe, Says Boy, 3, Lost In North Carolina Woods: North Carolina 3-year-old trapped in a briar patch in the North Carolina woods says he was protected by a friend that happened to be a bear.

• Pink Slips For Dozens Amid 'Major Layoffs' At NASCAR: Report: In January, news broke of major layoffs inside NASCAR as the sport continued to grapple with declining ticket sales and viewership.

• Cold Winter Ahead? Here's What Farmers' Almanac Predicts For NC: In August , the folks at Farmers' Almanac released their predictions for winter 2020. Here's what they're saying North Carolina can expect.

• These Are The Safest Towns In North Carolina For 2019: New List: In January, a new report ranks the safest places to live in North Carolina for 2019.

• Bigfoot In NC: Man Says He Caught Video Proof West Of Charlotte; In September, a McDowell County man said he caught a sasquatch on video, and that the creature that threw rocks and grunted.

• New Recycling Rules In Mecklenburg: What Goes In The Bin: This past summer, Mecklenburg County updated its list of what's acceptable for recycling.

• 4 Billionaires In North Carolina Make Elite Forbes List: The 33rd annual Forbes list of the world's billionaires included four residents from North Carolina. Here's what they're worth.

• Hurricane Season 2019: Here's How Many Major Storms Are Predicted: In April, weather researchers at Colorado State University predicted a slightly below-average Atlantic Hurricane season in 2019.

• CMT Postpones Premiere of 'Racing Wives' NASCAR Reality Show: The reality show focused on Lake Norman and NASCAR was originally supposed to air Jan. 3, but its premiere was pushed to early August.

• Gunman Who Killed Mooresville Officer Before Himself Identified: The suspect who police said was behind the fatal shooting of a Mooresville police officer during a traffic stop in May was later found dead in a nearby apartment.

• A Kidnapper Runs Into A Karate Dojo, Ends Up Being Carried Out: A man chased a woman he was allegedly trying to kidnap into a karate studio in Charlotte, and was "dealt with accordingly."

• Winning $344.6 Million Powerball Ticket Sold In North Carolina: The June 1 Powerball jackpot worth $344.6 million was won by one player who purchased the ticket in North Carolina.

• Hurricane Dorian Emerald Isle: Ring Camera Shows Tornado Strike: North Carolina was hit by 20 tornadoes in early September. A twister in Emerald Isle was caught on a Ring doorbell camera as it struck a house.

• Kissing Bug, Which Causes Chagas Disease, Confirmed In NC: The "kissing bug," which can transmit fatal Chagas disease, reported in NC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns.

• North Carolina's Best Hospitals: Latest U.S. News Rankings: In July, U.S. News & World Report released new rankings for 2019-20, identifying the best hospitals in specialty care and the best hospitals by region.