Three and half minutes. Or in other terms, 210 seconds.

Sounds like an almost insignificant amount of time, yet, that was all it took for President George W. Bush to top the list of the biggest local stories of 2004, as voted on by The Ironton Tribune staff.

Bush's unannounced campaign stop was the first visit by a sitting president since President Harry S. Truman stopped in 1948 on his famous Whistlestop Tour.

More than 3,000 people crammed onto the Lawrence County Courthouse lawn and lined the streets of Ironton along the president's route into the city.

"I think the Bush visit was a highlight in the county and a highlight in the Tri-State," said Dr. Bill Dingus, director of both the Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce and of the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation. "I think that in the county, we can take pride in the fact that the whole nation and world looked at southern Ohio as containing strong moral values."

Mayor John Elam agreed that the visit was one that he, and countless others, will not soon forget.

"I was honored to be able to represent the citizens of Ironton in this historic year," he said. "… It created memories not only for me but for a lot of other people in town."

Regardless of political affiliation, most agreed that the presidential visit handily topped the list. The rest of the headline grabbing stories were as follows:

2. Rock Hill battles: It started last year and kept rolling throughout 2004 and will likely be a hot topic well into the new year. The Rock Hill School Board's attempts to oust long-time Superintendent Lloyd Evans had everyone talking about the issue that many believed was only black or white. Even after the judge ordered Evans be allowed to return to the office the issue continued because of an appeal. Only time will tell how the whole battle will play out and who will win the war.

3. Local election: Lots of spots were up for grabs in Lawrence County's local election. From the primary through Nov. 2, the county was abuzz with talk of who would be the best candidate for the respective positions. Incumbent county commissioners Jason Stephens and George Patterson retained their seats. With several longtime officeholders calling it quits, the clerk of courts and recorder's races were ones that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. In the end, appointed recorder Sharon Gossett Hager earned four more years while challenger Les Boggs narrowly defeated Bob Blankenship.

4. Ironton money woes: Anyone who lives in Ironton most certainly heard about the city's financial woes - unless they were hiding under a rock all year. Even then, they probably still caught wind of the constant debate about ways to right the city's finances that have declined in recent years as revenue has dropped off. Positions were cut, workers were shifted and services adjusted as a way to address the problem. Once again, this will likely be a hot topic in 2005.

5. Violent crimes: By early October, it seems that the heat of summer had not faded and tempers flared across the county. The county witnessed seven murders or violent deaths in a little more than two months. In August, three people died in an arson fire at the Lyle Motel in Ironton. Roger K. Marshall of Ironton faces the death penalty if convicted. On Sept. 3, John Turvey of was found dead at his Ironton residence. Carlos Jenkins of Ironton was charged with the murder.

One week later, Tommy Keaton of Ironton was arrested for an assault that led to the death of his stepfather Robert Gore. Proctorville resident David E. Jones was arrested Sept. 25 and charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Roger Smith, also of Proctorville. On Oct. 6, Jason Heath Burks of Huntington, W.Va., was arrested for the stabbing death of a Chesapeake man.

6. Hospital study: With River Valley Hospital just a fading memory, a group of Lawrence County leaders commissioned a study to see if the county needed and could support a new hospital. The answers: Yes, on both accounts. Now the group will look towards making the dream become a reality once again.

7. Vesuvius refilled: In May, an old friend returned better than ever: Lake Vesuvius. After three years as little more than a mud puddle, a few hundred people filled the recreation area for a ribbon cutting to dedicate the new boardwalk and an historic marker at the Lake Vesuvius Furnace.

8. Hotel deal: In mid-December, much-rumored plans to bring a Hampton Inn to Ironton were finally announced. The $12.5 million project would have been higher on the list but it is not yet a done deal. If all goes as planned, the project will create as many as 200 jobs and also add several other restaurants, stores and shops in a retail complex. Construction could begin in early 2005 and be completed by 2006.

9. Rally on the River: When was the last time that 4,000 people visited Ironton? The answer would be in August when the Friends of Ironton civic improvement group hosted the three-day Rally on the River that brought motorcycle enthusiasts from all over to spend time and money in Ironton.

10. Progress in the parks: From completion of roads, infrastructure and a spec building in The Point industrial park in South Point to the addition of the Ohio Department of Transportation's Lawrence County garage in the South Ironton Industrial Park, lots of things were happening in the county and more looks to be in the works.

Other stories that received votes include the passing of the South Point school levy, opening of the Ironton Fire Station and breaking ground on Ohio University Southern's Proctorville Center.

"I think it has been a great year for Lawrence County," Dingus said. "… We still have some jobless, but any time you go through a year and don't lose jobs it has been a good year.

"Now with the economy turning, I see a lot of great things on the horizon in 2005."