For some, 2016 — and all of the curious, tragic, silly and inspiring events that came along with it — cannot end quickly enough.
2017 means a fresh start, and many are ready for that.
But before we officially close the book on this year and begin anew, let’s take a minute to reflect on some of the big moments that happened in North Fulton.
Here they are (in no particular order):
1. Three North Fulton women among victims in UGA wreck
Brittany Feldman, 20, Kayla Canedo, 19, and Christina Semeria, 19, died in an Oconee County car crash along with another University of Georgia student. The three were all Milton High School graduates. Feldman and Canedo were best friends since they were toddlers; Semeria was a talented singer who performed at church.
2. Local reality star fined for party
"Real Housewives of Atlanta" cast member Sheree Whitfield was fined $1,000 and put under unsupervised probation by Sandy Springs for not getting the proper permits for a major housewarming party taped for the reality show. The party was "an absolute invasion," according to a neighbor.
RELATED 2016: 'Floating under the influence' becomes legal in Georgia
RELATED 2016: Cops intercept ex-school employee with weapon
3. Teens murdered behind Roswell grocery store
The bodies of Carter Davis and Natalie Henderson, both 17, were found behind a Publix one morning. Davis played lacrosse and football at River Ridge High School, and Henderson had been on Roswell High School's Color Guard for three years. Jeffrey Hazelwood, 20, is accused of killing them.
4. Another change related to the Braves and Fulton
Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman put his Roswell home on the market for $775,000. The six-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom house in North Fulton features a two-story foyer, a family room, formal dining and a den off the kitchen with a stone fireplace.
RELATED 2016: Alpharetta mom gets 15 years for having sex with daughter's boyfriend
RELATED 2016: Teen found dead in lake after party was a senior at a Milton school
5. Sandy Springs strip clubs raided
More than 30 people were charged when Sandy Springs police raided three adult entertainment establishments: Flashers, Mardi Gras and the Doll House. A total of 34 citations were issued to employees, and arrests were made at each of the locations for solicitation for an illicit sexual act. Flashers was subsequently shut down after fire inspectors said they found numerous "life and safety" violations.
6. Popular businesses closed — or announced plans to
First, the Alpharetta location of The Varsity closed after 12 years of business (but that site may soon get new life). Then, Alpharetta's Sports Authority closed (along with the rest of them). And a Super Target in Roswell is set to close in a month (despite a petition to save it).
More North Fulton restaurants that closed included Clay's Sports Cafe, Figo, Mirage Persian and LottaFrutta.
7. Fired Roswell cop sues the city
A Roswell police sergeant who was fired from her job for flying the Confederate battle flag at her home filed a freedom of speech lawsuit against the city. Her case was being assisted by an organization that has been associated with hate groups, but her attorney later said the Southern Legal Resource Center would not be added as counsel on the case.
