FORSYTH COUNTY -- What was 2016? It was a year filled with changes, endings and beginnings. It was a year that saw a new president win in an historic upset. A year that took from us too many celebrities, musicians and role models. A year of the iPhone 7, the exploding Samsung, cyber hackers and Pokémon Go.
The year saw LeBron James bring a championship to Cleveland. It saw the Cubs win the World Series. In real life, not in Back to the Future.
The last VCR was made this year. The Olympics shined a light on Brazil, polluted water and zika. Gas prices were low, droughts desecrated lakes, fires raged in Gatlinburg and floods and hurricanes struck the east coast.
Cuba opened its doors to the United States. Sanders Road opened to Forsyth County drivers. GA 400 got a new lane.
From the grand scale to the streets of downtown Cumming, 2016 was a year to remember. With so much happening, it may be hard to think of all that 2016 was here in Forsyth County. So we’re going to relive it for you.
Today, Wednesday and Friday, we will re-run the 15 stories you clicked on the most at ForsythNews.com, along with some photos of significant events. Our photographers also picked their favorites, which we presented to you on page 1C in Lifestyles. No matter what your 2016 was, from everyone at the Forsyth County News, we wish you a happy New Year.
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15. MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER FOR SHOOTING FORMER ROOMMATE IN NORTH FORSYTH
Oct. 9
A Cumming man has been charged with murder after the man he is accused of shooting in the chest Thursday afternoon on Memphis Street succumbed to his injuries.
Christopher Puckett, 31, was arrested Oct. 6 for felony murder and aggravated assault and booked into the Forsyth County Jail without bond, according to Cpl. Pete Sabella, a spokesman for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.
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14. TWO MEN CHARGED FOR BESTIALITY WITH DOG IN FORSYTH COUNTY
Nov. 17
Two men face bestiality charges in Forsyth County stemming from an Oct. 2015 incident with a dog.
Samuel Allen, 23 of Cumming, and Kristopher Lee Halverson, 26 of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, each face two counts of the felony charge, according to a Forsyth County Superior Court bill of indictment.
According to the report, they are accused of performing a “sexual act with ‘Ava,’ a dog, an animal” on Oct. 9, 2015.
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13. DEPUTIES FIRE AT SUSPECT DURING TRAFFIC STOP IN NORTH FORSYTH
Feb. 3
Law enforcement personnel fired shots during a traffic stop Tuesday night in north Forsyth that resulted in a man’s arrest and the seizure of money and suspected drugs, though no one was injured.
The incident occurred about 10 p.m. at Jot Em Down and Gib Evans roads, just west of Ga. 400, when deputies pulled over 34-year-old Vanus Nichols of Cumming.
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12. MAN SHOT IN CHEST AT NORTH FORSYTH HOME
Oct. 6
A man has been shot in front of a north Forsyth residence and sustained life threatening injuries, according to authorities on scene.
Cpl. Robin Regan, a spokesman for the agency, said an adult male was transported to an area hospital Thursday with a gunshot wound in his chest, and the apparent shooter is being questioned on scene.
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11. 14-YEAR-OLD KILLED IN CRASH NEAR CUMMING IDENTIFIED
June 17
The single-vehicle wreck occurred at 6 p.m. Thursday on the roadway leading to Lower Pool Park off Buford Dam Road, when the driver of the 1996 Toyota Camry lost control of her vehicle, partially overturning onto the driver’s side and coming back onto all four wheels before crashing, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Cpl. Robin Regan said.
Morgan Tumlin, 14, of Buford, was ejected from the vehicle and temporarily pinned underneath the car, Regan said.
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Follow ForsythNews.com on Wednesday to see stories 10-6.