A drought gave way to a tumultuous election year that found a former president stumping in Zebulon for votes and bad economic news piled up like a North Dakota snowstorm.

The Knightdale police chief found himself in trouble with the law after a domestic dispute and commissioners in all three eastern Wake County towns found themselves wrestling with new tax rates in the wake of countywide revaluation that provided a marked increase in the value of property.

Planning efforts to establish the Little River Reservoir took a hit when neighbors pleaded with Wake County commissioners not to enact rules that would limit property owners’ ability to use their land. The year of unusual news ends today (Wednesday), and the prospects for a busy news year in 2009 look equally promising.

Next week’s issue of the Eastern Wake News will include a look back at some of the top news stories of the past 12 months.

We’ll also profile some of the stories likely to make headlines this year.

We want your input.

What do you think were the biggest stories of 2008 in eastern Wake County? Readers can visit our blog, Backyard Buzz.

Just add your comments to the post on the 2008 stories of the year and read what others have to say.