Hope, tragedy and change met in a powerful convergence in 2008.

Stories such as climbing (and later declining) gasoline prices, a steep downturn in the housing industry, a worsening economy and the persisting war in Iraq dominated the national consciousness. Whitfield and Murray counties shared those headlines, but experienced stories all their own.

Here are the top local news events of 2008, as selected by The Daily Citizen staff, in no particular order:

The bombing

What appeared to be a nondescript Friday in October soon saw a shocking tragedy that rocked Dalton — both literally and figuratively.

On Oct. 17 just before 10 a.m., Whitfield County resident Lloyd Cantrell launched a suicide attack on the McCamy, Phillips, Tuggle and Fordham law firm on Crawford Street as the climax of a land dispute between Cantrell and his son. Cantrell rammed his SUV into the building and, as a Dalton police officer responded to a 911 call, detonated a bomb at the back of the building. He died at the scene. Four people were injured, including attorney Jim Phillips, who suffered serious burns.

The bombing unnerved nearby residents, many of whom were evacuated. Students across the street at City Park School were bused away. One witness described the blast as “the most horrible sound I have ever heard.”

The law firm relocated to City Hall but late in the year an attorney said the firm plans to return to its former offices. The windows of the historic two-story home that housed the firm are still boarded. Phillips, who spent several weeks in an Augusta burn unit, is recovering at home.

Tunnel Hill loses a son

The continuing war in Iraq hit the hearts of Whitfield County residents again.

Lance Cpl. Michael Gluff, a U.S. Marine from Tunnel Hill and a 2005 graduate of Northwest Whitfield High School, was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq on Jan. 19. The 20-year-old was laid to rest in Chattanooga National Cemetery and was buried with full military honors. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart for the injuries he received in combat. He was the third local soldier to die in the war.

The community showered Gluff’s funeral procession with thanks, support and hope during its crawl from Love Funeral Home in Dalton to Chattanooga. Hundreds of people lined the streets, some with hand-drawn signs and others with American flags, to show respect to the fallen Marine. The procession snaked its way through Tunnel Hill, where Gluff grew up.