From the Jeremy Mayfield saga to the "Miracle on the Hudson" these were the most popular stories of 2009 on WCNC.com.
1. Domino's employees fired over YouTube videos
In April, two employees of a Domino's Pizza restaurant in Conover were fired after posting a video on YouTube, which showed the two tampering with food. Five months after the video emerged, the restaurant closed, in part, because of bad publicity from the video. Former employees Michael Setzer and Kristy Hammonds are awaiting trial on food tampering charges.
2. Conservative kiosk not allowed at mall
In July, the Free Market Warrior kiosk at Concord Mills Mall made news when the mall decided not to renew the kiosk's lease. The kiosk sold items that read "Impeach Obama," "Al Qaeda's favorite days: 9/11/01 and 11/04/08," and "Work Harder. Obama needs the money." Owner Loren Spivack said the items were meant to be controversial. The mall said it had the right to remove controversial items in an effort to provide shoppers with "a pleasant, neutral environment." Dozens of protesters rallied in support of Spivack but the mall stuck with its decision when Spivack refused to remove anti-Obama material.
3. Amber Alert issued for pregnant 12-year-old, sister
A nationwide search for two missing Mooresville girls ended in Tennessee the first week of October -- one week after the girls went missing. One of the girls -- a 12-year-old -- was nine months pregnant when her adoptive father, Matthew Hess, allegedly took the girls from their home. Hess was later charged with taking indecent liberties with a child, first-degree rape, felony incest, child abuse and neglect. He is awaiting trial.
4. School bus overturns, 36 students injured
An activity bus from Cox Mill Elementary School overturned on Interstate 77 near the Brookshire Freeway exit in April, injuring 36 students. The bus was carrying 58 passengers, including students and adult chaperones, to an overnight field trip at Camp Thunderbird on Lake Wylie. The bus driver was charged with careless and reckless driving. Highway Patrol troopers say she was distracted by a bee, oversteered and overcorrected, which caused the bus to overturn.
5. Ric Flair punches Hulk Hogan during news conference
A photo showing a bloodied Hulk Hogan emerged on Nov. 18, causing an Internet frenzy. Hogan was allegedly roughed up by Charlotte's Ric Flair while in Australia promoting a wrestling event. During a press conference, Flair punched Hogan in the head, causing blood to pour all over Hogan's face. Was it a stunt? Hogan's camp said the blood and the injuries were real.
6. Man accused of circumcising sons goes on trial
In October, a father who admitted to circumcising three of his children and himself was found guilty of misdemeanor child abuse. Johnny Marlowe told a jury he did it because, "God, the Holy Spirit pressed me to do that. ... When God presses you to do something, you do it."
7. Manager shot at Rock Hill real estate office
In March, an 88-year-old man was arrested, accused of shooting a Rock Hill real estate broker. Police say Richard Blow Sr. walked into a Coldwell Banker office and shot the manager, 68-year-old Jerry O'Neill, after a disagreement over earnest money in a real estate deal. Blow is charged with assault and battery with intent to kill.
8. Bengals wide receiver dies after Charlotte accident
In December, Cincinnati Bengals player Chris Henry died in Charlotte after falling out of the back of a pickup truck during a dispute with his fiancee. Police say the couple was arguing when Henry's fiancee drove away. Henry apparently jumped into the back of the truck and later fell out. No charges have been filed, and the incident remains under investigation.
9. NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield fails drug test
NASCAR indefinitely suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield on May 9 after he allegedly tested positive for methamphetamines on May 1. Mayfield says he did not take methamphetamines and claims NASCAR "spiked" his urine sample. The suspension led to a legal battle that has yet to be resolved. Mayfield sued NASCAR. Mayfield's stepmother sued the driver for slander. And then Mayfield filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his stepmother, accusing her of being involved in his father's death. Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR will be heard by a jury in September 2010.
10. Plane crashes into Hudson River
The year 2009 started with the "Miracle on the Hudson." On Jan. 15, Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger glided a US Airways Airbus A320 onto the Hudson River. All 155 people aboard Flight 1549 survived. The NTSB said that geese flew into the plane's engines, forcing the water landing.
