Top 10 Stories Of The Year

1 Ski Bluewood Rescued Throughout much of the year, skiers and residents of the Touchet Valley and beyond were worried their beloved ski mountain would close after owners Stan and Nancy Goodell announced they could not continue to run it. In October, the Times reported that the future of Ski Bluewood was secure under the new ownership of Kelly and Mike Stephenson and their silent investment partners from the Tri Cities.

2 Hospital District In Turmoil During 2010, the Columbia County Health System was at the heart of a management controversy that prompted the board to bring in a consultant to get it back on track. It calmed emotions and improved procedures, but just last week it turned out the new voter-approved computer system has put the district's billing department $800,000 behind on its accounts receivable.

3 Rust In June, farmers in the Touchet Valley and elsewhere in Southeast Washington began to worry about a fungus affecting crops after the cold wet spring. Some decided to spray while others waited to see how bad it would get. Still, the wheat harves t generated a healthy yield and events in Russia lifted bushel prices.

4 Arrest The year started with the arrest of Adam Hermanns after a standoff with police in Waitsburg.

5 Cycle Oregon In September, 2,500 cyclists from around the world came to Waitsburg as part of their weeklong Cycle Oregon tour that ended at the Pendleton Roundup. Organizers raved over the reception cyclists were given by the town, which tripled in population for three days.

6 Town Hall Also in September, Waitsburg's Towne Hall reopened after more than a year of repairs and renovations.

7 Missing In Starbuck, population 150, Bob Bulota went missing for several months. On the insistence of his brother, dog teams were sent to try to find the bachelor. He was never found and is presumed to have ended his own life.

8 Dog Rescue A couple in Dixie caught headlines after neighbors complained about their husky rescue operation and the county got involved.

9 $11 Million Pot Bust In August, law enforcement authorities raided a section of national forest between Columbia and Garfield counties and came up with a huge load of marijuana worth $11 million on the street.