Top story: A suicide averted

A successful effort by police to talk an apparently suicidal woman out of jumping from a downtown parking garage became the most-read story on Evanston Now last month.

Here’s a rundown of the top 10:

1. Downtown streets blocked for police activity — Jan. 26 — A number of downtown Evanston streets around the Sherman Plaza complex were blocked off for police activity for more than two hours this afternoon. Police say a woman had been threatening to jump from the top floor of the 12-story parking garage.
2. New restaurant planned on Simpson — Jan. 4 — A city committee Wednesday recommended approval of plans for a new carryout restaurant at 1723 Simpson St.
3. Man hit by car at Howard and Ridge dies — Jan. 3 — A 27-year-old Chicago man was killed when he was struck by a car at Howard Street and Ridge Avenue in Evanston about 7 a.m. today.
4. Food beat: Here come the kin — Jan. 14 — Opening day is drawing nigh for two new restaurants replacing the former Lyfe Kitchen in the rotunda at 1603 Orrington Ave. in downtown Evanston.
5. Five reported hurt in Lake-Ridge crash — Jan. 27 — Four ambulances were called to the scene of a traffic accident that occurred about 9 o’clock this morning at Lake Street and Ridge Avenue in Evanston.
6. Evanston doesn’t score in Crain’s housing guide — Jan. 2 — Crain’s Chicago Business is featuring a “best communities” guide for Chicago area home buyers — but in the vast majority of cases Evanston won’t show up as one of the top five picks.
7. Two businesses robbed minutes apart — Jan. 22 — Evanston police say two stores were held up in different business districts just minutes apart late this afternoon.
8. Man upset he was mistaken for robbery suspect — Jan. 24 — Gregory Hall complained today he was handcuffed by Evanston police late Monday afternoon after they mistook him for a suspect in the armed robbery of a thrift store at 920 Chicago Ave.
9. Binny’s seeks ‘event space’ for Evanston store — Jan. 25 — Binny’s Beverage Depot will seek amendments to Evanston’s liquor code next week to permit it to operate an event space inside its proposed Chicago Avenue store.
10. Retail: Barbeque and barbers — Jan. 16 — Two new businesses are on the way to downtown Evanston — Floyd’s 99 Barbershop and Falcon Eddy’s Barbeque.