Our final and top story of 2011 is about one man who has never given up or refused to back down from challenges he has endured in his life.

We hope this story motivates you to never back down, overcome adversity, and let nothing in life stand in your way from accomplishing anything.

Above is a picture six month later after fire ripped through the garage causing major damage.

Our number two story of 2011 was team coverage with countynewslive.com of the "Blaze on Diedrich Rd." back in June of this year.

Here is the timeline along with photos and video of the "Blaze on Diedrich Rd."

With news flashes about everything from elk and hellbenders to mountain lions, 2011 was anything but dull. 

Happy Birthday Renee
We hope you have a great birthday and many more to come!

Love Always,
Clare, Mathew, and Kyle

Times Square, New York – Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, co-organizers of Times Square New Year’s Eve, today announced the official Times Square New Year’s Eve event lineup including star-studded performances by Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Drake, Pitbull, Cee Lo Green, Hot Chelle Rae, Broadway Cast of “Rock of Ages,” and many more.

Pictured above, left to right: Raul Moreno, Hannah Kruse, Seth Schenck, Thomas Penning, Harley Dewalt, Graden Lovelace, and Beth Schenck.  Not pictured is Justin Terschluse.

Today we count down the top three stories of 2011, beginning with the passion and appreciation two men have for New Haven Basketball.

New Haven’s community is well known for supporting the New Haven School District, not just in sports but the school as a whole.

Pictured from left, David Walker, PharmD., Dr. Bret Riegel, director of the emergency department, Dr. Tom Riechers, chief of staff for Mercy Hospital Washington, and Deidre Burke, Foundation Relations Manager. The new emergency department opened last month.

By Lynn Campbell
DES MOINES — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (Pictured left) are poised to place first and second, respectively, in Iowa's first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, according to most polls and pundits.

Violet A. McDonald , 76, of New Haven, Mo. passed away on Thur., Dec. 29, 2011 at New Haven Care Center.

Mrs. McDonald was born in New Haven, Mo. on Sept., 5, 1935, the daughter of the late George and Vera (Haynes) Panhorst.

She was the widow of Kenneth "Blitz" McDonald. They were married June 21,1954 in Clayton, New Mexico. He preceded her in death.

Tuesday, January 3, marks the first day of the late registration period at East Central College.

Advisors will be available January 3 - 7 to assist new and returning students with the enrollment process.  A special registration session is scheduled at the Union campus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sat., Jan. 7.  Spring semester classes begin Monday, January 9.

Raymond E. Vorderbruegge, 77, of Union, Mo. Passed away on Thur., Dec. 29, 2011.

New Haven High School has been very blessed to have some of the best teachers, the kind of teachers every school wishes they had.  Almost all of the high school teachers have been teaching at New Haven for several decades, which is not only great for the school but the community as well.

Joshua Taylor Cook, 23, of New Haven, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at Mercy Hospital, Creve Coeur, Missouri.

Mr. Cook was born in Columbia, Missouri on February 11, 1988, the son of Ted and Sherry (Schupp) Cook.  Joshua graduated from New Haven High School.

New Haven, Mo. – New Haven Fire and EMS crews responded early this morning around 1:50 a.m. for a report of a vehicle accident rollover on Highway YY, three quarters of a mile east of Highway185.

Missouri’s muzzleloader harvest continues to grow with increased opportunities and advances in muzzleloading technology.

MDC Photo By: David Stonner

COLUMBIA, Mo. –Women recently diagnosed with breast cancer have higher survival rates than those diagnosed in previous decades, according to the American Cancer Society. However, survivors continue to face health challenges after their treatments end. Previous research reports as many as 50 percent of breast cancer survivors are depressed.

Misssour News Horizon
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Spokesmen for the state’s two largest generators of electricity say rates are likely to rise now that the Environmental Protection Agency has announced new limits on air pollution from coal fired power plants. 

The limits are aimed at slashing the emissions of pollutants such as mercury and toxic air pollution like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium, and cyanide. The rules are aimed at coal-fired power plants in 27 states.

Vilia Ridge, Mo. Yesterday afternoon at approximately 1:09 p.m. the Franklin County Sheriff's Department received a report of a white GMC Jimmy weaving in and out of traffic.

The reporting party stated that he was traveling on Highway 100 near Highway M when he observed the white GMC Jimmy weaving through traffic.