Correction: a previous version of this article incorrectly stated the name of the football team. The Edwardsburg Eddies made it to the state championship this year. We apologize for the error and are happy to correct it.

EDWARDSBURG — The year 2017 was wild ride for anyone who was paying attention. With a new president, national political news dominated mainstream headlines, though that does not mean small town news took a back seat to people who live in villages like Edwardsburg. With the new year just around the corner, Leader Publications is taking time to remember our top five most important stories of 2017.

5. Bus accident

The year of 2017 ended in tragedy after an Edwardsburg High School student collided with Edwardsburg school bus after losing control of her vehicle on snowy roads in December. Though the bus driver and passengers were uninjured, the driver of the vehicle, 16-year-old Ella Merrill remains in critical condition and severe brain trauma.

Since the accident, the community has come together for Merrill, opening fundraising campaigns in her name and asking for prayers for her on Facebook. Ontwa Township/Edwardsburg Police Chief Doug Westrick cautioned Edwardsburg residents to drive safely on snowy roads, following the accident.

4. #haleystrong

Perhaps no story touched more hearts in Edwardsburg than the story of Haley

Collins, the 21-year-old girl who had a dream of graduating high school.

One week after fulfilling her dream by walking across the stage at the Edwardsburg High School graduation, Collins died of cystic fibrosis.

In the story, Collins’ parents, teachers and friends remembered her for who she was: a fighter who inspired others even in her illness and got to complete her dreams. Collins remains missed by all who knew her and the thousands of people she connected with online.

3. State champs

In October, the Edwardsburg football team took themselves to the Michigan High School Athletic Association state championship, with the help of coaches Kevin Bartz and Jeff Kozinski. The team was even honored at an Ontwa Township Board of Trustees meeting due to the feat.

While the Eddies did not take home the state championship, the coaches were pleased that their players made it as far as they did and have high hopes for the next season.

2. Cold case

The year of 2017 saw a 40-year-old Edwardsburg cold case put to rest.

On Nov. 2, 1977, 25-year-old Robert Stasiak was murdered by his cousin 18-year-old Raymond Robert Richmond at Stasiak’s parents house on May Street in Edwardsburg. Richmond shot Stasiak during an argument that was spurred by Stasiak taking an issue with Richmond using marijuana in his parent’s home.

Stasiak’s death was originally ruled a suicide by investigators, which allowed Richmond to go free for nearly four decades. However, former Edwardsburg/Ontwa Township Police Chief Tim Kozal reopened the case in 2015, which resulted in Richmond’s arrest in May 2016.

In September of this year, Richmond, now 58 years old, was sentenced to 12 to 18 years in prison for the crime, finally closing the decades old case.

1. Pier review

No story in the village of Edwardsburg or Ontwa Township caused as much controversy as the issue of piers.

In late 2016, the Ontwa Township Board of Trustees passed a resolution stating that they would no longer issue pier permits to people who lived on lake road ends or in an out lot due to changes in state laws.

The announcement angered many and led to tension between neighbors who lived near area lakes, particularly Eagle Lake.

The topic dominated conversation at several board of trustee meetings, so much so that board called a special meeting with a lawyer to answer residents’ questions about the topic.

Eventually, the board reversed its 2016 resolution to say that they would once again allow road-end and out-lot residents to apply for pier permits. However, at the board’s December meeting, trustees announced that they would not issue permits on road ends. Instead, they would issue recommendations to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, which would then decided if there could be a pier at the road end.