Today we look back at the biggest news stories in 2021 on the Lismore App.

How do we know they are the biggest news stories?

Being on a digital platform we can see very basic analytics from Google that let us know how many times people have read each story we publish.

It won't be a surprise to know that the Top stories were all COVID-19 related whether it be about new locally acquired cases, going into lockdown or venues of concern. I think we all agree that we have had enough of COVID and hopefully, we can move forward in 2022 talking about the global pandemic in the past tense at some stage.

Council elections were important to Lismore & surrounds with the most popular non-COVID story being 'Steve Krieg is the new Mayor of Lismore'. Here is the top 5:

1. Steve Krieg is the new Mayor of Lismore
2. Police investigating fatal crash
3. Property market madness. Is a house in Goonellabah worth $1.2 million?
4. Police ask for help to find this man
5. Storm causes tree fall and power outages in Lismore.

Sport had to take a back seat to COVID as well throughout the year with most winter sports cancelled before the finals could be played and a delay to the start of summer sports. Here are the Top 5 sport stories for 2021:

• Brian Bugden to coach Richmond Rovers Premiership side for the fourth time
• Emotions flow as Celtics take the ANZAC Day Cup in Hyde's honour
• Crozier Field and Oakes Oval starting to take shape
• Lismore Cup's winning horse is on a winning streak
• Goonellabah Workers Sports Cricket Club are First Grade Premiers

The Lismore App has been operating for four years now, just over for Android users (November 2017) and just under for Apple users (January 2018). From those humble beginnings, where there were about twenty family and friends who had downloaded the Lismore App, our readers grew day by day. In 2021, we have reached 117,000 users for the Lismore App who have contributed to 13 million views throughout the year.

Thank you so much for making us your number 1 for local news, sport and community information. We really appreciate your support in what is the only locally owned media company in Lismore.

If you do have a story that would interest the community please don't hesitate to get in touch via email simon@lismoreapp.com.au.

Have a fantastic NYE and let's hope for a pre-COVID 2022 at some stage in the year.