The stories you really, really read this year

Shakopee Valley News

It has been quite the year for Shakopee and that also means quite the year for the Shakopee Valley News.

Here's a look at your most-read stories from 2017 — measured in page views and unique page views.

1. Shakopee gas station raided by drug agents

The Southwest Metro Drug Task Force raided the Top Star gas station and a suspected drug stash house in Shakopee in September, resulting in four arrests. The case took eight months to crack.

2. Valleyfair's "Adult Night" turns into fight night

In a twist no one could have possibly seen coming, alcohol and a large crowd did not mix well. Valleyfair held an "adult night" in May, that proved immensely popular — and volatile. Fights broke out throughout the night but people scattered when police showed up. It was so busy that Police Chief Jeff Tate said he planned to check in with the amusement park if there was ever another 18+ event.

3. Shakopee daycare provider charged after baby suffers skull fracture

A 54-year-old woman was jailed in September after a baby at her daycare suffered a skull fracture. A doctor's report showed the baby had multiple areas of bleeding on the brain, retinal hemorrhaging and his right calf was bruised.

4. Shakopee High School student dies in car crash; four others injured

JaMason Moffett, 16, died in a car crash in September. Sheikhnur "Shak" Jimale, 17, Hannah Chance, 17, and Khalil Watson, 20, were also in the car. The community rallied together after the incident to show support, including raising funds for those affected.

5. Thompson arrested, charged

Former Shakopee superintendent Rod Thompson was arrested and booked into Scott County Jail on charges of embezzlement in mid-November. Thompson faces six counts of felony theft by swindle, 13 counts of felony embezzlement of public funds, one count of felony possession of stolen property and one count of misdemeanor in receiving stolen property.

6. Belle Plaine eliminates free speech zone

Belle Plaine became the subject of national attention over the summer after establishing a free speech zone to allow for the statue of a soldier kneeling at a cross to remain in a city-owned park. However, once the city agreed to let a satanic monument which met design requirements for the zone on the property, calls came flooding in from around the nation, prompting a quick removal of the free speech zone.

7. Police recover TV, MacBook from superintendent's home

Police searched Thompson's home in June and yielded a TV and MacBook. He had been under investigation since May for the alleged misuse of a Shakopee Public Schools credit card. Police also recovered an Apple TV, Bose speaker and other electronic devices.

8. Man charged with recording child in Pizza Ranch bathroom

A 29-year-old registered sex offender was charged with recording a child in the bathroom of Pizza Ranch. A woman was helping her 3-year-old son use the restaurant when she noticed a cell phone on the bathroom floor aimed at her son and recording footage.

9. Charges filed in Top Star gas station drug case

Four people were charged with selling drugs at the Top Star gas station in Shakopee. Two vehicles, $9,000, 1.5 pounds of marijuana and 25 grams of THC Concentrate were seized by police.

10. GoFundMe started for Shakopee baby injured at daycare

A GoFundMe page was created to help the baby who suffered a skull fracture at daycare in September. As of Dec. 26, 363 people had raised $28,340 of the $27,500 goal in three months.