Plainfield's Most-Read Stories of 2013: Year in Review

What was Plainfield reading about in 2013? 

We used Patch data to find out what stories got the most traffic in 2013. It will probably come as no surprise that many of the best-read stories on Plainfield Patch were those that had to do with crime, but there were also a few surprises.

1. Man Runs Over Wife, Stomps Her Face in Front of Paramedics: Cops: The most-read Plainfield Patch story of the year didn't take place in Plainfield, but in nearby Crest Hill, when 62-year-old Jerry Nichols allegedly intentionally ran over his 55-year-old wife, Diane. Nichols is accused of calling 911, claiming he accidentally hit her. When he discovered she wasn't dead, he allegedly began stomping her face — and was caught in the act by paramedics. Diane Nichols was pronounced dead at St. Joe's hospital.

2. Joliet Man Dies After Car Drives into Lily Cache Creek: A 30-year-old man was discovered dead inside his car after it was found upside-down in a frozen Plainfield creek. Police said the vehicle is believed to have been there "for an extended amount of time." Patch commenters reacted when the man, George C. Weathered, of Joliet, was revealed to be a convicted sex offender, having pleaded guilty to attempted distribution of child porn in 2008.

3. Plainfield Fire Department Helps Tornado Victims: The third most-read story of the year was about Plainfield firefighters' efforts to help victims of the Washington, Illinois, tornado in November. Firefighters ended up filling a semi-truck with supplies for those in need.

4. Fans Flock to See Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis: Star-gazers and movie fans gathered by the hundreds outside Plainfield School District's Aux Sable Middle School for the chance to catch a glimpse of the celebrities, who were in town to film the sci-fli flick "Jupiter Ascending." The movie is set to be released in July.

5. Teen Attacked by Ski Mask-Wearing Former Friends: Police: A 19-year-old girl escaped relatively unscathed when she was accosted by two people wearing ski masks as she came out of a Plainfield gas station. The duo, who were wearing ski masks as they attacked the girl, ended up getting caught when their victim was able to recognize their voices, police said.

6. Teens Stole Car, Threw Rocks at Drivers, Broke into House, Cops Say: Another teenage crime caper took the No. 6 spot on the list. Police said three teenage boys blocked off Caton Farm Road and County Line Road with barricades before pelting drivers with rocks when they got out of their cars to move the barriers. The boys were also charged with possession of a stolen car and breaking into a vacant house, among other things.

7. Family Cookout Turns into Back-Stabbing Brawl Between Brothers: It was sibling rivalry gone wild when a pair of brothers allegedly got into an argument over food and wound up tussling at a Plainfield rod and gun club. One of the men, 28-year-old Daniel Dupree of Joliet, was accused of stabbing his older brother in the back during the fight. Their father, 52, also wound up in handcuffs after allegedly trying to drive his son's truck despite being intoxicated, police said. The incident marked the second time Daniel Dupree was arrested for allegedly stabbing someone.

8. Man Armed With Gun Robbed White Castle, Police Say: A 23-year-old Plainfield man was accused of holding up a Route 59 fast-food restaurant for $285. Police said Kenneth Gutschick went into the restaurant, but told staff he forgot his wallet; when he came back, he was wearing a mask and carrying a gun, according to employees.

9. Woman Attacked in Plainfield; Police Seeking Suspect: Police said a woman was walking in the area of 143rd Street between Route 30 and Meadow Lane when she was attacked by a suspect described as a black male with a large build wearing dark clothing. Police refused to disclose details of the attack, and the man has not yet been apprehended.

10. Woman Tries to Hang Herself in Kohl's Restroom, Police Say: A woman was saved from a suicide attempt by her boyfriend and a store employee, police said, but allegedly lashed out violently at a police officer.

Are there any other stories that should have made the list? Let us know in the comments.