Simply scanning the online stats for the week, one would think that readers of www.rapidcityjournal.com gravitate only toward stories that are darker or more controversial and that those who view videos here gravitate more uplifting and/or unusual stories.

The truth is, conflict sells, but it doesn't make for good video. And, thus, it provides a respite for those who feel a bit beaten down by the headlines of the economy or local misdeeds.

Regardless, readership was strong this week as stats were among the best of the year. Following is a roundup of the most popular sections of our Web site.

Top Five Stories

1. Hill City man killed in rollover accident

A tragedy on China Gulch Road was the most read story of the week. An early morning crash left one young man dead and the driver of the vehicle in hot water after he left the scene of the crash.

A second passenger in the truck reported the accident. Police say alcohol was involved.

The accident serves as an all-too-familiar warning against the dangers of drinking and driving.

2. Teens accused of home burglaries

Oh, how I love observant neighbors.

One such neighbor saved the day this past week when she confronted a trio of teenagers who were burglarizing a fellow neighbor's home. She then took down their license plate number as they were leaving, which led to the arrest of three teens suspected in a string of burglaries.

Apparently, the teens - who were already under house arrest for past run-ins with the law - are the primary suspects in a string of residential burglaries throughout town where people were reporting doors and windows kicked in at their homes and items apparently stolen.

3. Man hospitalized for multiple stab wounds

Three of the five top stories this week contain the following line: "Alcohol was involved." This is one of them.

Details are still sketchy and we might never know what happened between a pair of drinking buddies who got into some kind of altercation, but this much is sure: When moderation is thrown to the wind, trouble ensues.

The good news is that the man who was stabbed eight times by his "buddy" didn't seem to suffer life-threatening injuries.

4. Man arrested after driving into building

And speaking of the ill effects of drinking … and then driving.

A Rapid City man had a lot of explaining to do when he landed his 1993 Nissan Pathfinder in the north wall of a building along Mount Rushmore Road on Sunday night.

Speed was a factor in the accident as well, and luckily, no serious injuries were reported.

All I have to say is, thank goodness it was a building.

5. Hills area men receive pardons from Gov. Rounds

A story that was barely a story. But pardons always draw plenty of reader interest, especially when it concerns people from around the area.

This time, Gov. Mike Rounds pardoned four people from the Black Hills area, and readers tuned in and left plenty of comments as well.

Top Five Videos

1. Olympic Champion Visits Rapid City

Nastia Luiken's surprise visit to the Rapid City on Monday and the announcement that the city would play host to a world class gymnastic and figure skating event in December.

The collection of Olympic level talent in a pair of long-established Olympic events hasn't been seen in Rapid City likely since Randy Lewis brought the Russian national team to Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in the 1980s.

2. Boyfriend of Woman Stuck to Toilet Wins Lottery

What can you say? Maybe karma isn't all that instant after all.

3. RAW VIDEO: Ind. Woman Rescued From Burning Car

Dramatic footage shot from the camera of a responding officer, its videos such as this that gives one an appreciation for emergency responders.

4. Three Minute Drill

Another installment of the weekly sports video column about area prep sports, the inclusion of highlight clips from the past week have been a welcome addition. But I still have to ask: What's with three minutes in the title? Not that I thought it dragged on to long, but wasn't this more like five minutes?

Still, worth every second of it. Especially Josh Russo's pick of Douglas over Belle Fourche. Do we have a new Roger Toland in our midst?

5. Palin Criticizes Obama's Ties to Ayers

The election is heating up, and the nastier it gets, the more people will tune in. It's an unfortunate turn of events, but people like to see the muck being thrown.

Personally, my favorite political video of the week was the one where the Democratic flak introducing Joe Biden introduced him as "the next vice president of the United States … John McCain."

Hope he likes licking envelopes.

Rapid Replies of the Week

We have plenty of stories about mountain lion kills or sightings that fail to attract anything close to humorous. But Thursday's offering of a Black Hills big cat that was shot in a Saskatchewan community got a new twist.

Perhaps it was because it was in Canada and not somewhere like Chicago or Oklahoma. Or, perhaps it was because it was wearing a collar. Regardless, it was nice to see something other than the standard vitriol.

Bolt To Canada on 10/09/2008 04:00:08 said:

"Perhaps he was a draft dodger?"

Radio Waves on 10/09/2008 01:59:04 said:

"These guys are outcasts with their friends. They get teased and the cant score with the chicks because of some big birthmark that is strapped around their neck.

They probably try to use the "I was abducted by aliens" excuse but eventually they just run looking, for a place where they will not be an outcast. How sad…."

YUP on 10/09/2008 01:46:50 said:

"They are just like humans, they think life is better elsewhere and the grass is always greener. Or perhaps this last one was headed to Canada for the free health care!!"

Poll of the Week

And continuing in the vein of things that aren't overly serious, this week's most popular poll got some vitriol on editor Mikel LeFort's "Typos & Tribulations" blog, but hard-hitting or important trend revealing it is not.

In honor of Deadwood's Oktoberfest, what is Germany's greatest contribution to American culture?

Bratwurst

866 38 percent

The zeppelin

44 2 percent

Volkswagen

855 38 percent

Nihilism and/or Milli Vanilli

35 2 percent

Heidi Klum

342 15 percent

Warm Beer

135 6 percent

Editor's Pick

Election '08

As part of the ongoing coverage of the 2008 general election, the Journal solicited the field of West River candidates for the South Dakota Senate and House of Representatives to share with us answers to five questions on key issues facing the state.

Like the election itself, the turnout is a bit spotty. It seems that the candidates closest to Rapid City were a little more willing to offer up their views, but scanning the list, you will note a number of absences.

Hopefully, the number of candidates willing to share their views with the Journal and, thus, readers, will increase in years to come. But for now, it provides some interesting reading for those in the Journal's extended coverage area as well as right here in the Hills.