So another year has come and gone, and it was an eventful year in the county.
The Essex Chronicle was there to break and cover it all across the patch, attracting thousands of you as you logged on to keep up to date.
Cast your mind back over the last 12 months and have a look at the 12 most popular stories according the number of daily unique visitors.
1.Chelmsford farmers 3,000 ducks may be killed if new homes cannot be found
Farmer Ian Chisholm said he was unable to pay for their upkeep, sparking the arrival of thousands of people to his Norton Field Farm
2. Named and shamed in court - a round-up of cases heard by Essex magistrates'
Our weekly round-ups of criminal cases heard by Essex magistrates
3. The ice bucket challenge is a waste of water: three reasons why I won't be taking part
Features Editor Darryl Webber politely declined the opportunity of being soaked in the name of charity
4.Young man stabbed to death in Oaklands Park, Chelmsford, is named as Ashley Woolley
Tragedy struck in the heart of the city after an 18-year-old was stabbed to death in Oaklands Park
5. M25 in Essex closed after horror crash
The multi-vehicle collision claimed one motorist's life and closed part of the carriageway in Essex
6. Lightning strikes house in Chelmer Village during storms
Nobody was hurt in the incident in Murrell Lock during the summer storms
7. Forecasters warn of coldest winter for decades
Long range forecast for Essex suggested a freezing cold
8. Black Friday 2014: Asda in Chelmsford to sell BMX bikes for £36
The store slashed prices on a range of products on the day after Thanksgiving
9. Dog owners in Chelmsford on alert after one dies and another falls ill
Two dogs fell seriously ill after being walked in Hylands Park
10. Which eateries in Chelmsford received the worst hygiene ratings?
Four places to eat in Chelmsford received ratings of zero
11. Hylands School teacher accused of sexual activity with pupil
Charlotte Parker was spared jail after admitting to fling with male student
12. Pair jailed after deaf and blind man hurled onto track at Chelmsford railway station
Niall Martin and Daniel Webster were caught on CCTV throwing the victim onto the tracks
