Stories about car accidents, criminal investigations and UFOs are among the most-read headlines this year – but not all of the Bothell/Kenmore Reporter’s articles touched on gloom and doom.

The community’s efforts to help a little girl come home for Christmas, sprinkled with new business ventures and celebratory events often graced the front page of this weekly newspaper’s print edition, and website.

Here are the top 10 most-read stories, according to Google Analytics:

1. “Female driver dies in Kenmore accident Tuesday morning; two Bothell residents injured,” (March 7).

A 23-year-old female driver died after her vehicle struck another one on State Route 522 in Kenmore.

At about 7 a.m., Kristin Berry of Seattle was driving eastbound on the 6700 block of Northeast Bothell Way when she crossed a small median and struck a vehicle heading westbound. Berry died at the scene from multiple injuries, and two Bothell residents — a 15-year-old girl and her mother — were seriously injured after their SUV rolled over. They were transported to Evergreen Medical Center in Kirkland and were released that afternoon.

2. “Detectives arrest four people in criminal prostitution investigation at Bothell massage and spa business,” (Aug. 30).

Several months ago, a citizen issued a complaint with the Bothell Police Department about possible prostitution taking place at a massage and spa business located in the 22900 block of State Route 527 in Bothell.

On Aug. 22, after a lengthy joint criminal investigation with the Bothell Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office involving surveillance and undercover operations, members from both organizations served two search warrants at the Ginger Massage and Spa and a nearby associated apartment located in the 1600 block of 228th Street Southeast.

Detectives first served a warrant at the business and then at the apartment and arrested three adult females and one adult male for investigation of prostitution-related offenses. One female and one male who run the business were booked into Snohomish County Jail for the felony offenses of permitting and promoting prostitution.

3. “Woman files wrongful termination suit against Bothell mayor, alleges two-year affair | UPDATED,” (Nov. 5).

A former employee of the North Creek Law Firm in Bothell is suing the business, Bothell Mayor Mark Lamb and his wife Kim, for wrongful termination and invasion of privacy in connection with an alleged two-year affair between the employee and the mayor.

Micaela Mae, 23, filed the suit in Snohomish County Superior Court on Oct. 29 seeking unspecified damages for lost wages, future wages and emotional distress. Lamb has served as Bothell’s mayor for six years.

Mae and the mayor’s alleged relationship began in 2010 when the woman was working at Masala Bar and Grill in Bothell.

4. “Bothell mayor admits to affair with intern, denies other allegations in lawsuit,” (Nov. 13).

A former employee of the North Creek Law Firm in Bothell is suing Bothell Mayor Mark Lamb for wrongful termination and invasion of privacy in connection with an alleged two-year affair between the employee and the mayor.

In an answer to the complaint filed in Snohomish County Court on Nov. 8, the mayor admits to a sexual relationship with the woman but denies most other claims in Mae’s suit. In a counterclaim, the Lamb’s requested that the suit be dismissed and Mae pay all court and attorney fees.

5. “UFOs spotted in south King County, believe it or not | Editorial,” (Dec. 4).

On the same November evening, a couple of hours apart, witnesses on Auburn’s West Hill and in Kent’s downtown claimed they saw the same thing, something awfully peculiar, flashing and darting across the heavens.

A strange, low-flying object – a three-orange-red-light triangle – appeared for a moment, suddenly tipped upward, pivoted and zipped out of view. Witnesses had little time to record the visitor, yet they were willing to try to explain the unexplained.

As one of the witnesses described that night to the Mutual UFO Network, or MUFON, one of the oldest and largest UFO investigative organizations in the country: “The lights pulsed repeatedly, but they looked nothing like anti-collision lights on aircraft we have seen thousands of times in our area.”

The same “three-light triangular object” description came from two witnesses who reported such a formation moving silently across the sky in Spanaway a week before.

Was it just another in a series of unexplained UFOs intriguing or confusing the stargazing public?

6. “Drivers injured in two-car accident on State Route 522 in Kenmore,” (May 7).

Jay’s Cafe owner Misty Qureshi and her employees didn’t hear a thing, but then someone came into the restaurant to inform them of an accident nearby.

When Qureshi and the passerby went outside to see if they could help, the man aided one of the victims while the restaurateur called 911 after a two-car, head-on wreck occurred at about 10:33 a.m. at the 7500 block of Northeast Bothell Way — State Route 522 — in Kenmore.

Qureshi recalled seeing male drivers from each vehicle — one of which was on its side — and “then some customer came and just pulled him out.”

Witnesses stated that a beige vehicle traveling eastbound on Bothell Way crossed the centerline and struck a westbound black SUV head-on.

Fire personnel used extrication tools to remove occupants from the two vehicles. One occupant was in critical condition and transported to Harborview Hospital, and another occupant was in serious condition and transported to Evergreen Hospital. Two other vehicles were involved, but no additional injuries were reported.

7. “Woman claims she stayed with Bothell Mayor on overnight council-related trip during affair,” (Dec. 4).

A woman who is suing the Bothell Mayor claims she stayed overnight with him during a council-related business trip in Olympia during their two-year affair.

Mae’s attorney Howard Hall said they expect the evidence to show that while most of their encounters occurred in the workplace, on at least one occasion while Mae was employed by Lamb, she went to Olympia and stayed overnight with Lamb, who was attending an annual conference of Washington elected officials in his capacity as mayor.

8. “Remains found in St. Edwards Park identified as Kenmore man,” (Oct. 11).

The human remains found by two students in St. Edwards Park were identified as a missing Kenmore man.

The King County Medical Examiner confirmed the remains belonged to Kenmore resident Brian MacDonald, who was reported missing on April 4, 2006. MacDonald, who was 46 at the time of his disappearance, dropped his daughter off at school and told her he was going for a walk. He was never seen again. Detectives said they are looking into MacDonald’s activities at the time of his disappearance but there is no indication of foul play.

9. “McMenamins closes deal with city of Bothell,” (Aug. 2).

About three years ago, Mike and Brian McMenamin tapped into the city of Bothell with a proposal to operate one of their famed brewpubs/hotels at the downtown Anderson School Building on Bothell Way Northeast (State Route 527).

In July 2010, the Oregon-based brothers greeted city officials and the public and discussed their plans for the 70-room hotel and entertainment complex, which is slated to feature a restaurant, pub, movie theater, live-music space, spa, garden, pool and meeting room.

The McMenamins in 2012 sealed the deal on a purchase-and-sale agreement (PSA) for more than $7 million in cash and non-monetary compensation for the 5.41-acre site, which features the old Northshore Pool that Bothell residents can use for free for 15 years.

Construction for the entire project will occur by July 1, 2013, with opening for the entire project no later than August 2014.

10. “Bothell residents ask Mayor Lamb to step down over affair,” (Dec. 14).

Several Bothell residents have asked Mark Lamb to resign from his position as Bothell Mayor, claiming his admitted affair has drawn embarrassment to the city and distracted the council from important issues.

During the Nov. 20 Bothell Council meeting, two residents asked for Lamb’s resignation.

The Reporter also received several letters from Bothell residents.

11. “Remains of an adult male found near Kenmore and Kirkland border,” (Oct. 7).

Two students found the remains of an adult male near the Kenmore and Kirkland border on a remote corner of the Bastyr University campus in St. Edwards State Park early Thursday morning.

King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Major Crimes detectives were out at the scene by 1 p.m. searching a small 40-foot area, about 10 feet from a busy trail. King County Search and Rescue planned to search a larger area Saturday.

12. “Bothell business scene: AleHouse to move, Alexa’s serving beer and wine,” (Aug. 29).

After 16 years in business, the Main Street AleHouse & Eatery in downtown Bothell closed its doors.

However, owners Susan and Gary Southwick incorporated the restaurant/bar into their other business, Preservation Kitchen, which is located on Bothell Way Northeast.