Our hometownlife.com communities had some very interesting things happen in 2017. Here's a brief look at just a few of them:
Livonia
Franklin to state title game: Livonia Franklin's first trip to the state football finals in 42 years didn't turn out quite as well.
The 2017 Patriots were unable to duplicate the feat of their 1975 Class A championship team as Warren De La Salle pounced on a series of Franklin first-half mistakes to secure its second state title in school history with a convincing 41-6 win in the MHSAA Division 2 final Friday afternoon at Detroit's Ford Field.
More: Warren De La Salle buzzes through Franklin for Division 2 state crown
Amazon hiring: The biggest business to come to Livonia in years, Amazon, began accepting applications for its new fulfillment center near Interstate 96 and I-275 this past summer. The 1 million square foot center, which was opened to the media this past summer, took its first order this fall.
More: Get those resumes ready! Amazon hiring warehouse associates for Livonia facility
Floyd Galloway arrest: Floyd Galloway, 30 of Berkley, was arrested earlier this summer after Livonia police determined he was the main suspect in an attempted sexual assault that happened over Labor Day weekend in 2016 in Hines Park. Galloway was arrested and charged in the case, and later took a plea deal that sent him to prison for a minimum of 16 years. His name continues to be floated around the disappearance of Danielle Stislicki, a Farmington Hills woman who vanished late last year. Galloway has not been charged in her disappearance.
More:Victim speaks at Galloway sentencing
Livonia Kmart closes: Long a rumor across the city, the Kmart at Seven Mile and Farmington met the fate so many other Kmart stores in the region have had and closed its doors earlier this spring. It's remained vacant since then, with a "For Lease" sign on the door. There had been talk of Kroger moving into that location, though those plans haven't appeared to move forward. The 7 Farmington shopping center remains mostly empty, with only a Landmark professional growth office and the Republication Party victory center occupying the center.
More: Another one goes: Livonia Kmart set to close
Parade returns to Livonia: Livonia was the site of holiday cheer this December, as the city decided to bring back its annual holiday parade after more than a decade without one. The "Merry and Bright" parade saw several thousands of people watch parade-goers march along Stark, Lyndon and Farmington roads to Livonia City Hall, where the city's tree was lit courtesy of Santa Claus. It was the city's first parade since the early 2000s.
More: Back to town: Santa hits Livonia as parade returns
Westland
'Diabolical monster': Coverage of the sentencing of the two men found guilty of killing two people in Westland in February. One man convicted in the shooting of Jordan Baker and Howard Wick back in February, Kobi Taylor, was sentenced to 65-95 years in prison as Wayne County Circuit Judge Qiana Lillard called him a “diabolical monster.”
More: Judge calls man convicted in Westland murder 'diabolical monster'
Wild holds off Coleman: Incumbent Westland Mayor William Wild was re-elected for another four-year term, but three of four council seats were filled by newcomers.
Wild received 7,345 votes for nearly 58 percent of the votes cast. Kevin Coleman, a six-year city councilman, received 5,336 votes (42 percent). By running for mayor, Coleman gave up his seat on council, which will expire at the end of the year.
"It's been an exciting election," said Wild, who had run unopposed in the previous two elections. "When I look at the council results, the residents want some new faces — there are three new ones on council. I look forward to working with them and getting new ideas. I have a history of working with almost everyone and I'm looking forward to it."
Voters recognized his track record as mayor and the progress that has been made in the city over his tenure as mayor, said Wild.
More: Wild re-elected mayor; three new faces join Westland council as Kehrer loses re-election bid
Proposal for Hawthorne: A proposal for affordable housing — in part aimed at serving developmentally disabled adults — is being recommended for the former Hawthorne Valley property in Westland.
The city council recently held a study session to discuss the recommendation from the city's property disposition committee to sell the property for development by Three Oaks Development and Advisory Services, based in Washtenaw County.
"The lawyers have been negotiating a purchase agreement — it's not set yet," Westland Mayor William Wild said. "This group came in with a development to create a small residential village of condos and single-family homes for parents with adult autistic children."
Designed with Liberty Housing Services, the concept for Hawthorne Oaks is attached condominiums to provide independent living for intellectually and developmentally disabled adults, along with single-family homes built with accessibility for developmentally disabled adults, seniors and others. The homes would be one or two stories, customized to address accessibility issues.
More: Westland to consider sale of Hawthorne Valley property for homes, condos
Son charged in mom's death: A 22-year-old man was charged Friday with the stabbing death of his mother at their Westland home.
Justin J. Paul, who was shot in the thigh by a police officer just before his Dec. 20 arrest, faces one count of first-degree premeditated murder in the death of Jeannette L. Paul, 50.
If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison without the chance of parole.
Paul appeared Friday in Westland's 18th District Court, where Judge Sandra Cicirelli entered a not-guilty plea for him and ordered him held without bond. A probable cause hearing was scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 4.
More:22-year-old charged in stabbing death of his mother