Readers may remember it best as the year of the flood, but it was a year, like all years, with many accomplishments for the people here, and at the same time some tragedies and problems. To remind readers of what happened in Massac County during the past year, the Metropolis Planet is presenting this year-end review. Most of the items mentioned here appeared on the front page of the Planet when the event occurred.

Of course, what was big news here may not seem too important now, but this is what made the news in Massac County in 2011.

January

The year began with the Massac County Sheriff's Department and the Metropolis Police Department both dealing with methamphetamine. Meth labs were busted and manufacturers were arrested, but the problem was to be ongoing throughout the year.

Terry Johnson, site superintendent at Fort Massac State Park for 23 years, retired from Illinois Department of Natural Resources after a 33 year career that saw ice, storms and floods but also the continued growth of the Fort Massac Encampment, the establishment of the Massiac Marines and Friends of Fort Massac, the construction of a new fort and visitors' center and the beginnings of a dream of Fort Massac Village.

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