For many, the midst of summer is vacation time. But in the world of online news, at least here at the Rapid City Journal, it is the busiest time of year.

The next four weeks are easily our busiest of the year. Even without the persistent threat of massive wildfires, we move from this weekend's Days of '76 into the Sturgis motorcycle rally and then on to the Central States Fair, before heading off into the school year and fall sports season.

Meanwhile, Web traffic at the Journal surges this time of year, in good part because of our www.sturgisrallydaily.com and the variety of events going on.

But if you think the most popular news and video would be tied down to these few subjects, you'd be wrong. From the first glimpses of the new Cabela's store to allegations of a church youth group exercise gone a bit too far to an up-close encounter with a mountain lion, the news has never been better

Top Five Stories

1. Local church youth group under investigation on allegations of child abuse

An all-night activity called "Underground Church" has police checking into unspecified allegations of child abuse at First Assembly of God in Rapid City.

A lawyer for the church says he was confident the church will be vindicated of the allegations stemming from an activity designed to teach youths about the persecution of Christians in countries where religious freedom is not allowed by the government.

I suspect we haven't heard the last of this story.

2. Two Rapid City car chases end in arrests

A pair of high speed chases over the weekend ended with dramatic arrests of a couple of Rapid City teens. In some ways, the story read a bit like a movie script as police cars with lights flashing pursued a vehicle that at one point side swiped another vehicle as a suspect waved gang signs at folks. The other chase concluded with a police officer having to chase the suspect on foot after the vehicle chase ended, with the officer tackling the 19-year-old girl to the ground before arresting her for aggravated eluding, driving under the influence 3, driving under revocation, minor consuming and open container.

In the end, nobody was injured in either case, which is good news, of course. But the readers turned out in full force anyway, with the story being also one of the most commented of the month.

3. Mountain lion sighted, escapes early Sunday

Another mountain lion, but this one with a surprising twist as one Rapid City police officer called it one of the "coolest" sightings in 15 years.

Spotted in south Rapid City about 3 a.m. on Sunday, police weren't able to dispense with the big cat, which apparently wasn't intimidated by the officers' presence and at one point walked between their cars.

Like the car chases, in the end, it turned out well because nobody got hurt, including the big cat.

4. Officials not sure what's causing accidents in I-90 stretch

An examination of a series of accidents along the construction zone on Interstate 90 near Sturgis that has seen two fatal accidents since May points to one solution: Drivers need to slow down.

5. Man charged for disciplining son with tree branch

An Aberdeen man faces charges for taking a switch to his naked 7-year-old son, who is now in the custody of state Social Services.

Top Five Videos

1. A Mother's Story

A video designed to show how Children's Miracle Network helps out local families is the runaway winner as the most popular video of the month, outdistancing even the very popular Mount Rushmore fireworks display. The images of a mother with her newborn babies (she had triplets) proved to be one visitors to the Web site couldn't get enough of.

2. Cabela's Tour

A sneak preview of what the interior of the new Cabela's store looks like two weeks before it opens brought in viewers as well. Just enough to whet the appetite, we'll have a few more videos online before the store opens in early August.

3. Big Hail in Rapid City

OK, so the video doesn't show big hail, but it does show downed tree branches and plenty of rain. With the afternoon thunderstorm season in full swing, weather remains a topic on everyone's minds.

4. Jilted Bride Gets $150,000 Settlement

Well, she did give up a great paying job. And it is hard not to feel sorry for her. But $150K. Hey, who am I to judge?

5. Devils Tower Tourism

A tourism piece shot by online editorial assistant Molly Albrecht caught visitors to the popular monument near Sundance, Wyo., as they took in the sights.

Best Rapid Reply of the Week

Have you noticed I trend toward the more humorous replies? The truth is, the Rapid Reply rejection pile is plum full of vitriolic statements and bald face accusations, and we get to read them all. Actually, we have to read them all. So replies such as these are really appreciated after a day in the trenches of anonymity in the reader commenting trenches.

On the story about Deadwood's Days of '76 parade being broadcast on the radio and on the Internet.

BILL H. on 07/24/2008 08:19:27 said:

"I GOT SHOT IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD ONCE IN DEADWOOD AT SALOON #10 AND MAN I STILL GOT A HEADACHE. but i still love deadwood."

On the story about police having to round up cattle in the middle of Rapid City and off the bike path.

Curious on 07/24/2008 07:26:15 said:

"Did they tell the cows to mooooooooooooooooooooooove over?"

Poll of the Week

So, every day when we come up with the poll question during our 3:30 p.m. news meeting, all the editors vote on the answer they think readers will vote for, not necessarily the one each of us would want.

But I couldn't help myself with the following question. I mean, really, logically, what impact will raising the minimum wage have? Well, it has to improve wages because that's what it's doing specifically. I mean, it might not improve people's wages that are voting at home, but it is improving wages - just not yours.

What impact will raising the minimum wage have?

Drive inflation

238 Votes, 20 percent

Improve wages

303 Votes, 25 percent

Reduce number of jobs

206 Votes, 17 percent

Negligible

459 Votes, 38 percent

Editor's pick

A Mother's Story

Well, if you haven't watched it yet, you probably should. The Tim Appel produced video has struck a chord with www.rapidcityjournal.com readers.

Bonus Editor's Pick

www.sturgisrallydaily.com

As aforementioned, the Sturgis Rally Daily Web site, sturgisrallydaily.com, is one of the key reasons traffic surges for us this time of year. Online guru Chris Donahue and his design ace Eric Remboldt revamped the rally site this year, bringing in a new look and new features to the site.

Check it out and let us know what you think.