Our reporter Ebony Abblitt took a look at the stories that were most popular with our readers during a year like no other.

The year started like any other. Thousands brought in the New Year with fireworks and festivities at Beerfest.

Bushfires took hold across the state, ravaging landscapes. Thick smoke blanketed the state from fires here and interstate, affecting air quality for weeks.

Our volunteer firefighters took up vital deployments to help bushfire-ravaged areas of NSW. Their efforts were appreciated by locals, with one Glengarry volunteer telling The Examiner the group "couldn't walk down the street without someone coming over and hugging us."

MONA FOMA fever took over Launceston, with King Ubu attracting a crowd of thousands to the Cataract Gorge.

Will Hodgman resigned as Liberal party leader and Premier of Tasmania. It sparked a rumoured power battle within the Liberal party as they elected their new leader. Peter Gutwein took on the leadership alongside continuing Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

The Red Hot Summer Tour saw thousands rock out at the Country Club Tasmania, as coronavirus news started filtering into the state, with a woman tested after returning from China.

The first week of February means Festivale in Launceston, and 2020 was no different. Thousands of patrons flocked to City Park for the event filled with food, fun and festivities. The audience was delighted by a performance by Australian icons Vanessa Amorosi, Eskimo Joe and The Whitlams.

Party in the Paddock ended spectacularly, the three-day festival at White Hills bringing thousands of revellers to celebrate and listen to live music.

Veteran 7 Tasmania News anchor Jo Palmer announced she was stepping down from the role after 18 years. Weather presenter Peter Murphy filled the role temporarily before Kim Millar was announced as a permanent replacement.

The City Park Grand Hotel was sold to new owners and closed down, with Zone 3 also shutting its doors for the last time. Invermay McDonalds announced it was going to be demolished and rebuilt with a $2 million upgrade, which opened in December.

Snow was on Ben Lomond for Launceston Cup day, but thousands still dressed in their finest and made the most of the event.

Launceston recorded the state's first case of coronavirus after a 40-year-old man arrived from Iran.

Fans were delighted to spot production crews across the Launceston area, with twins Kimmy and Rhi Harris representing Tasmania on the popular show House Rules.

The state continued to record more cases of coronavirus as restrictions began to infiltrate and change lives.

A public health emergency and state of emergency were declared, while travel restrictions were put in place to help limit the spread.

The pandemic saw creativity from businesses - restaurants quickly adapted to provide takeaway, and delivery options exploded. Locals banded together to provide support wherever possible, as uncertainty about the future grew.

March 30 saw the first of an eventual thirteen deaths from coronavirus, with a woman in her 80's passing away at the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie.

April again saw coronavirus cases grow and restrictions increase. Tasmanians were told to stay home, and avoid attending their shacks over Easter.

House Rules began airing, with Kimmy & Rhi proving fan favourites from the first week. The twins finished the series as winners in June.

Fuel prices fell below $1 per litre, with Shell West Launceston owner Ravi Kasturi deciding to cut prices after talking to customers who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

When campgrounds were closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Tasmania, Strike It Out Feeding the Homeless Launceston stepped in, with the organisation paying for the temporary accommodation of some families sleeping rough.

The City of Launceston started to undertake a risk assessment of the Tasmanian tiger statues in the Brisbane Street mall after multiple reports of people tripping and falling.

ANZAC Day was celebrated in a socially distanced manner - people paying their respects from their driveways due to dawn services being cancelled.

One of the biggest stories of the year (or at least, the longest) was with the Launceston Horticultural Society, where a member grew a 1.4-metre long carrot.

After 41 years of serving a slice of Italy to Launceston, Calabrisella on Wellington Street closed down. After two years of consideration, owner Lorenzo Macri said it was a very hard decision, but he wanted to take the opportunity to retire where he could.

The historic estate at Duck Reach was listed for what was then the highest asking price in Launceston history at $3.2 million. It was described as "unequalled in the country" at three hectares with two residences built for the manager and chief engineer of the Duck Reach Power Station.

Police charged a 68-year-old man and 65-year-old woman with the 2009 murder of Campbell Town man Shane Barker. Acting Assistant Commissioner Ian Whish-Wilson said the arrest was the culmination of a lengthy investigation by the Serious Organised Crime Division.

Mid-May saw the beginning of the easing of social distancing restrictions. Tasmanians rejoiced, with aged care visitation slowly resuming, public places beginning to reopen and easing to the number of visitors allowed at homes.

Launceston businessman Andrew Palmer undertook a mammoth 24-hour challenge, the Cha Cha for Charity, to raise money for The Examiner's Winter Relief Appeal. Mr Palmer was joined by local, national and international identities during the fundraising marathon, which raised more than $40,000.

June saw stages two and three of easing Tasmania's COVID-19 restrictions brought forward, to the delight of all.

The state government announced that the $20,000 first home builder's grant would be extended to all owner-occupiers who applied to the scheme by the end of the year.

Plans were announced by the City of Launceston to transform the former Birchalls building into an undercover arcade with retail and food businesses.

Hundreds of peaceful protestors gathered at Princes Square for a Black Lives Matter vigil, a demonstration against discrimination and police brutality against people of colour.

Lives were put at risk when the Launceston Police Station was the target of an attack when a molotov cocktail was thrown into the rear carpark.

The state government announced a new site for the Northern Regional Prison, 5.2 kilometres away from the Westbury township at a crown land site at Brushy Rivulet on Birralee Road. The decision came following strong community backlash, with the new site also not welcomed by locals.

What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor: