All week long we've been counting down the top stories of 2011 chosen by our viewers.

The 6th story on our list is the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal that has affected Penn State. The 5th story is about how Berks County coped with the loss of the late State Senator Mike O'Pake.

In March, former Penn State defensive coach Jerry Sandusky was being investigated for child sex assault allegations. In November, he was arrested on dozens of counts of sexually abusing eight young boys over a period of 15 years. That number would go up to ten victims a few weeks later.

The state attorney general alleges Sandusky used his non-profit to connect with his victims.

"Through the second mile program he was able to identify these children then give them gifts establish a trust, initiate physical contact which eventually leads to sexual contact," said the prosecutor.

Sandusky did speak out in his defense.

Bob Costas of NBC questioned, "Innocent, completely innocent and falsely accused in every aspect?"

Sandusky replied, "Well, I could say that I have done some of those things. I have horsed around with kids."

Two other Penn State administrators were arrested and charged with lying to the grand jury about what they were told by graduate assistant Mike McQueary.

All three men will be heading to trial in 2012.

At State Senator Mike O'Pake's last public address he said all of us should ask, "Has my life made a difference for good in the lives of others?"

In January of 2011, state lawmakers and many of State Senator Mike O'Pake's constituents gathered for his funeral mass at Saint Margaret's Church in Reading. O'Pake died in December of complications related to heart surgery. 

"Mike O'Pake never forgot the people who elected him," said a fellow lawmaker.

O'Pake was also remembered in Harrisburg in the senate chambers by his colleagues who draped his empty seat. There was a special election in March to fill it.

Judy Schwank will serve out the remainder of O'Pake's term that ends in 2012.

During the special election she said, "It's somewhat intimidating to say I would even attempt to fill his shoes. But I know that Berks County needs the kind of leadership that Mike had." 

Thursday we will look at two stories that were not proud moments -- one for the city of Reading and another for a woman walking and texting at the Berkshire Mall.