The following articles were posted on the Butler Eagle’s Facebook page and had the highest reach in 2020.

Oversized load breaks down while going up North Main Street hill

Reach: 217,613

A truck transporting an oversized load took seven hours to slowly travel in reverse down the North Main Street hill after an apparent mechanical malfunction on May 29, 2020. Bystanders believe an axle on the vehicle broke as the truck was traveling up the hill.

Truck stuck under railroad trestle on McCalmont Road

Reach: 144,546

The morning commute on Feb. 25 took a bit longer for motorists who used McCalmont Road in Butler Township after a car hauler truck wedged itself into the railroad trestle.

Big Butler Fair canceled for first time since Civil War because of COVID-19

Reach: 115,375

Despite reports the prior week that the 165th annual Big Butler Fair was on schedule, the event’s board of directors announced May 19 that the fair was canceled for the first time since the Civil War. The 2021 Big Butler Fair is scheduled July 2 to 10, 2021.

Butler County announces its first case of COVID-19

Reach: 112,318

Officials at Butler Health System announced the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Butler County on March 21.

Livestream of a water main break on Main Street

Reach: 97,355

Emergency crews acted quickly June 15 to contain a water main break in Butler that shot water 40 to 50 feet into the air and flooded the stairwell leading to the basement of a nearby business.

Karns City school district chooses to allow fans in the stands

Reach: 92,452

Karns City Area School District announced Sept. 15 that it would allow spectators at sporting events, effective immediately in response to a court decision at the time that said, in part, limitations on indoor and outdoor gatherings by Gov. Tom Wolf were unconstitutional. The constitutionality question of the governor’s numerous shutdown orders during the pandemic has led to many lawsuits.

Butler Area School District announces reopening plan

Reach: 84,244

On Jun. 15, the Butler Area School District approved its health and safety plan for reopening schools for the 2020-21 school year. The plan was the product of recommendations from six COVID-19 working groups and discussions the administration had with county commissioners, city emergency management staff, colleges and hospitals.

Hunter finds missing man dead

Reach: 88,219

The body of Shawn C. Kelly, who went missing in late October, was found on Oct. 29 by a hunter. No foul play was suspected.

Announcement that Sprankle’s would be opening in Saxonburg

Reach: 80,790

It was announced on May 8 that Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market would open a new location in Saxonburg, which had been without a grocery store for a few years. The business moved into the empty Friedman’s location on West Water Street. The store opened July 4 and, according to Sprankle’s, more than 1,000 people attended opening day.

CARES Act funding: $50 million for essential employees

Reach: 80,749

The Department of Community and Economic Development Deputy Secretary Carol Kilko joined Gov. Tom Wolf in announcing the allocation of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to the new COVID-19 Hazard Pay Grant Program on July 16. The grant program allocated $50 million of hazard pay to be given to essential workers.