LEHIGH VALLEY SPORTS 2009 YEAR IN REVIEW

Year in Review: Barack Obama, Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, Cash for Clunkers big news in 2009
By Express-Times staff
December 27, 2009, 12:33AM

View full sizeExpress-Times and AP File PhotosThe inauguration of President Obama, the opening of Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and the craze over Cash for Clunkers are just some of 2009's biggest news events.
View full sizeTrooper Joshua MillerIt has been a busy year in the Lehigh Valley, in the nation and in the world. This is a roundup of the region's biggest stories and a look at how news elsewhere in the United States and abroad affected us locally.

Here are some of the top local stories and what lehighvalleylive.com visitors had to say about them.

•Palmer Township resident Daniel Autenrieth shoots and kills Pennsylvania state Trooper Joshua Miller after a car chase from Nazareth to Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County. Autenrieth, whose 9-year-old son rode with him during the chase, died in the shootout, as well.
"I don't care what the man coached or how involved with his children he may have been, there is no justification for involving children in custody matters on ANY level. This could have ended even more tragically and this little boy will forever be traumatized by this event..." -bhindclsdoor

•Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opens on former Bethlehem Steel property in the South Side, bringing slot machines to the Christmas City.
"Visited the casino opening night. Much nicer than Mt. Airy EXCEPT for the parking. Whoever designed or came up with the traffic plan should find a new line of work." -nubeast


View full sizeExpress-Times Photo | MATT SMITHFamily members watch as the casket of Sgt. Mark Renninger sits on a horse-drawn caisson before moving up Linden street during the funeral procession. Here are some of the top national stories and what lehighvalleylive.com visitors had to say about them.

•Cash for Clunkers is a hit and gives auto dealers a much needed, albeit brief, boost.
"This program was just a band-aid. For any dealership that was in trouble, this was not enough to truly help them." -giant3

•Mark Renninger, a Bethlehem native, and three other Washington state police officers are gunned down in Lakewood, Wash., The Liberty High School graduate is laid to rest in his hometown.
"May this brave man and the other three slain officers RIP. They are the true heroes who make our wonderful country safe for the rest of us. They made the ultimate sacrifice for our sakes." -nicknacks


View full sizeAP File PhotoBarack Obama, left, joined by his wife Michelle, takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts to become the 44th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.Here are some of the top international stories and how lehighvalleylive.com visitors responded to them.
•Barack Obama is inaugurated as the United State's 44th president, becoming the nation's first black commander in chief.
"I didn't vote for Obama. That being said, I accept the fact that he will be our next president, and I am rooting for him. I think that we all need to support and pray for our leaders to do the best job possible." -lvteacher

•President Obama announces plans for a troop surge in Afghanistan shortly before visiting the Lehigh Valley.
Despite the announcement, the majority of folks who took our online poll indicated they would rather hear Obama address the issue of jobs than talk about war during his visit.