WA's year that was: Tragedies, triumphs, and the must-read headlines from 2018
This year has seen its fair share of tragedies and triumphs, from the horror that rocked the southern idyll of Margaret River, to the dizzying high of a Grand Final victory at the hands of our very own West Coast Eagles.
Each week brings with it a fresh wave of fascinating, controversial, and unfortunately at times horrifying news, with WAtoday's team of reporters on hand to bring you all the happenings from around the state.
Here, we run through the biggest headlines and must-read stories that had you hooked over 2018.
January
The 'war' erupted between two popular Perth bars, with low prices drawing thousands of punters to Subiaco locations.
When the Village Bar initially made the move to drop their price for a pint of their "beer of the month" from $10 to $4 for the entire month of January, it seemed this was going to be the lowest Perth beer prices had dropped since the 1980s.
But then their neighbours, less than 1km up the road, went one better.
The Vic Hotel dropped their pint prices – for both Rogers and Swan Draught - to just $3.50 a glass, and owner Bevan Marwick said the response from Perth punters craving a cheap drink was immediate.
February
Melanie Kennedy was accused of spreading "uneducated bile" on social media with Professional Standards and Conduct executive director Eamon Ryan saying it was important all Department of Education employees abided by its code of conduct, and be familiar with its social media guidelines.
March
The mother, step-father and a family friend of an eight-year old girl were arrested and charged in a case described by police as "absolutely devastating".
A special taskforce was set up by police to investigate the suspected child sex abuse of at least five children, most of whom were under the age of 10 at the time.
The case remains before the courts.
April
A relentless grassroots campaign to save the college from closure ended up being successful after the federal government later revealed it would provide $8.7 million needed for its refurbishment.
May
Seven members of one family died in a mass shooting that rocked the sleepy South West town and made headlines around the world.
The bodies of Peter Miles and his wife Cynda, his daughter Katrina, and his four grandchildren Taye, Rylan, Ayre and Kayden Cockman were found at the family's property.
June
July
August
September
A mother and her three children, plus the children's grandmother, were allegedly killed by the children's father. The community rallied to raise funds for funerals and there were calls for greater awareness of domestic violence.
In the wake of the Bedford killings an opinion piece published on WAtoday drew national attention.