The stories that shaped 2011

From a hail-acious storm that carved a path of destruction across southern Denton County to the passing of Flower Mound’s first mayor, 2011 was a busy year in our community.

As we move into our 33rd year of local news coverage, we would like to take a few moments and look back at some of the biggest news stories of 2011.

Here are our picks for the top news stories from 2011 (in no particular order):

Hail Yes! A violent complex of thunderstorms slammed into southern Denton County on June 21 and left millions of dollars of destruction in its wake.

Famous Housesitter: Kenneth Robinson used a legal loophole known as “adverse possession” to settle into an abandoned $330,000 home in Flower Mound.

Mayor Mayhem: A new mayor with a checkered past got everybody in Argyle talking.

The Big Chill: An impenetrable layer of ice and sub-freezing temperatures broke water pipes and smashed fenders in February.

Supermarket Spurned: Kroger’s $14 million grocery store expansion off the table after town council says no to plans for gas station.

Eagles Soar: The Argyle Eagles football team went to their first ever state football championship game.

Open Wide: FM 1171 was expanded from two lanes to six in west Flower Mound.

Petition Push: Lantana residents take to the streets to get the enforcement of their traffic laws back.

Passing the Baton: Dr. Stephen Waddell took over the reigns of the Lewisville ISD in March after longtime superintendent, Dr. Jerry Roy, retires.

Scorcher Streak: Records were shattered as a relentless heat wave spans a three month period.

Walk On: Medical building and apartment complex break ground in beleaguered River Walk development in Flower Mound.

Right On Track: Denton County’s A-train commuter rail system began running in June.

Big Bust: DEA, police bust heroin ring and charge 17 people with drug-related crimes in southern Denton County.

High-Density Denial: After being shot down by city, developer takes fight to build Highland Village’s first apartment complex to a judge.

We Are The Champs: The Marcus Marauders boys basketball team defeated Garland Lakeview Centennial 40-38 to bring home the school’s first state championship.

Saying Goodbye: Bob Rheudasil, a founding father of Flower Mound, passed away in September.

There were many other stories that shaped our lives in 2011.  Take a walk down memory lane here.