LEWISTON — Tragedy. That best describes the stories that got the most traffic on SunJournal.com in 2018 — stories about drownings and killings.

But there was also crime: Leading the list was the story of the day federal, state and local law enforcement officers raided local buildings and confiscated piles of marijuana plants.

And a bit of political drama attracted readers, too. Les Gibson and Susan Collins were the main characters of the political dramas that people around the United States wanted to read.

The oddest story to make the top 10 was the story about a March 7 winter storm heading for Maine. That tale of meteorological confusion got most of its traffic in November when a lot of people shared it on Facebook, apparently thinking it was a storm forecast for later that week. 

Here’s the top stories that got the most traffic in 2018 with the dates they were published on the web:

2) Beleaguered Leslie Gibson abandons state House race, seeks ‘peace and quiet’ (March 16)

3) Rescuers pull victim,  5, from Androscoggin River in Auburn (April 24)

4) Lewiston Middle School student, 13, drowns during Range Pond field trip (June 12)

5) Maine doctor says she is likely to challenge Susan Collins for Senate in 2020 (June 29)

6) ‘Horrified’ Democrat decides to take on Gibson for House seat (March 15)

7) Auburn police identify woman’s body found Sunday in The Basin (July 30)

8) Wednesday’s storm could be biggest one this winter (March 6)

9) Family thanks volunteers after son’s body found in Androscoggin River (May 15)

10) Son of RSU 16 athletic director dies in Route 202 crash (Jan. 17)

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