Top 10 newsmaking stories of 2013 in Nova Scotia

Thousands of stories were published by CBC Nova Scotia in 2013, but few generated more discussion, reaction and emotion than the ones you're about to read.

Here are the top 10 newsmaking headlines of 2013based on our most-read stories:

10. Hope Blooms in north-end Halifax

A group of young Halifax entrepreneurs turned a small community garden project in an abandoned north-end lotinto a profitable line of organic salad dressings.

Thanks to a $40,000 no-strings-attached investment from the CBC reality show Dragons' Den, the Hope Blooms kids story spread across the country.

9. Who was Harley Lawrence?

The horrific death of a small Nova Scotia town's only homeless resident spread awareness about mental health issues in communities across Canada.

Harley Lawrencedied in a suspicious fire at a bus shelter on Oct. 23. The investigation into his death is ongoing. No one has been charged.

Lawrences family said he suffered from mental illness but refused help.

8. Tragedy at sea

The small community of Woods Harbour lost five sons earlierthis year after the fishing boat Miss Ally capsized in heavy seas.

The Miss Ally overturned in rough waters on Feb. 17. The hull was found floating in the ocean several days later, but the wheelhouse and sleeping areas were gone.

Katlin Nickerson, Billy Jack Hatfield, Joel Hopkins, Steven Cole Nickerson and Tyson Townsenddied when the vessel overturned. The bodies of the fishermen were not recovered.

7. Frankie MacDonald, amateur forecaster, viral video star

The story of aCape Breton man's passion for the weather that made him a viral video was one of the most popular CBC News stories of the year.

Frankie MacDonaldbecame an internet sensation with his weather forecasts being viewed tens of thousands of times all of the world.

"I like it, I like when people say, 'Frankie you are doing a great job, doing the weather.'"

6. Rita McNeil, dead at 68

Canada lost one of its most celebrated singers in 2013.

Rita McNeil, born in Big Pond, Cape Breton, was famously shy. Butsaid her parents helped her overcome that trait byconstantly reminding her to believe in herself.

Cape Breton's first lady of song died April 16 following complications from surgery.

The outpouring of love and respect following her death was one of the most emotional news events of the year in Nova Scotia.

5. Support for Scott Jones

On Oct. 12, Scott Jones life changed forever after a vicious attack in downtown New Glasgow left him paralyzed from the waist-down.

Jones and his friends believe he was attacked becausehe is openly gay.

Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Jones sparked an awareness campaign encouraging people to speak up against homophobia. People from across Canada and from as far away as France sent notes in support of Jones and his cause.

Acknowledging and letting go of fear can lead to a deeper level of acceptance. Dont be afraid to face your fear; dont be afraid to love and accept yourself, said Jones.

4. A matter of taste

One family's festive Easter decorations were another's eyesore thatsparked a massive backlash after someone sent the Perron family of Dartmouth a nasty letter.

"Dear homeowners," the letter read. "Before Easter comes, the community asks that you do not demoralize our subdivision and street with yet again, your very tacky decorations. Halloween and Christmas was enough. Perhaps you should consider that this area is a step above you."

After the letter, Lori Perron fought back, amping up the tacky factor for Easter. After the story went public, supporters came out in droves to support the Perron's holiday flair.

3. Smoking allegations groundSunwing Flight

The story of a Cape Breton family accused of smoking aboard a Sunwing Airlinesflight bound for the Dominican Republic put a small community on the map and caused a viral sensation.

Three members of the MacNeil familyDavid MacNeil, 54, Darlene MacNeil, 52, and David MacNeil Jr., 22were arrested after a south-bound flight last Februaryhad to be diverted to Bermuda when at least one MacNeil was accused of smoking on the plane. A younger, unidentified son was also on the flight.

The incident sparked discussions on social media about Cape Breton and thehamlet of Mabou, which has previously been celebrated as the home of the Rankin Family, the popular Celtic pop band.

2. Saint Mary's University frosh chant

A Saint Mary's University frosh week chant glorifying underage sex sparked disgust and anger after a video was posted on social media in September.

The 15-second video posted to Instagramshowedorientation week leaders leading a cheer about the sexual preferences of Saint Mary University men.

On acrowded football field they shout out, "Y is for your sister [...] U is for underage, N is for no consent [...] Saint Marys boys we like them young."

Anger over attitudes that promote the objectification of women came into focus and prompted a review of sexual assault prevention and alcohol consumption at Nova Scotia student unions.

1. The death of Rehtaeh Parsons

One of the biggest stories of 2013 touched off a firestorm of shock and anger, prompting discussions across the country about cyberbullying.

After 17-year-old Rehtaeh Parsons died in April, her mother penned a Facebook entry about the anguish her daughter felt after she was relentlessly taunted at school over a photo. Rehtaeh's parents alleged that photo was taken during a sexual assault and it was circulated at school and online.

Her death prompted several reviews of law enforcement and judicial processes and spurred the creation of provincial and federal laws designed to protect victims of bullying.

Honourable Mention: The man who took on Air Canada and won

Air Canada wasforced to pay more to customersfor overbooking flights, thanks to one man's battlewith the airline.

GaborLukacsstarted investigating compensation in 2011 after discovering his flight was overbooked.

The Canadian Transportation Agencysaid overbooking is an acceptable industry practice, but the compensation Air Canada offersa blanket rate of $100 cash or a $200 voucherisn't reasonable.

Air Canada now has tocompensate bumped passengers in cash for as much as $800, depending on the length of the delay.