The past year was an eventful one in southwest Michigan, with a variety of extraordinary events taking place throughout the region.

Web traffic on leaderpub.com showed readers’ interest in breaking news events such as homicides and tragedies, but many showed interest in new businesses that either opened or closed in 2017, or announced that they would be opening in the coming year.

A list of the top 10 headlines of the year, ranked in order of the highest views, are listed below:

1. Carbon monoxide victim identified as 13-year-old Niles boy — On April 1, six children were found unresponsive near a pool at Quality Inn & Suites in Niles after a pool heater leaked carbon monoxide. While five of the children survived the poisoning, one 13-year-old, Bryan Douglas-Watts, of Niles, succumbed to his injuries.

2. Homicide victim’s name released, husband arrested for medical marijuana noncompliance — On Aug. 13, Berrien County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a Niles Township home after receiving a call that gunshots had been fired. The tip was made by the homeowner, John Lewis, who reported two African American males had broken into his home and shot his wife, Carla Jean Lewis, when the couple returned home. John was arrested for noncompliance with medical marijuana laws, and eventually, charged with murdering his wife.

3. Prized Pig carries on with BBQ food truck — Prized Pig customers’ hearts were broken when they learned that the restaurant would close its doors on Valentine’s Day in 2017. However, 10 days after closing the U.S. 12 location, Prized Pig owners announced they would carry on the business with a food truck, to many customers’ delight.  In November, Prized Pig’s former pitmaster announced he would open a new barbecue restaurant, Fat Cap, in South Bend.

4. Dowagiac couple takes over Lutz’s Drive In — In January, founders Barb and Virginia Lutz sold their more than 50-year-old business, Lutz’s Drive In, to two faithful customers, Scott Scherer and Karmen Grady. Scherer’s mother was one of the original employees when the business opened a half-century ago, and he and Grady, his fiancee, were excited to carry on the tradition of freshly made pizzas, juicy burgers and malted shakes.

5. Dowagiac family opens Mexican restaurant — The Blanco family spiced things up on Front Street in Dowagiac in May when they opened Tacqueria Del Ray. The restaurant quickly grew to be a hot spot for authentic Mexican fare, including tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas and fajitas, made with steak, pork, chicken, beef tongue and Mexican sausage that Blanco prepares daily.

6. Swirlyz Frozen Yogurt to open at 211 Front St. — This destination for cold treats took Niles by storm in June. Just in time for summer, co-owners Tammy Gardner and Cindy Cluver opened a frozen yogurt sundae bar on Front Street. The summer business frequently drew lines out the door as customers built yogurt creations from the constantly rotating array of frozen flavors.

7. Niles man killed in semi-tractor accident at Niles business — This freak accident shocked Niles residents in late June. Police concluded that Dennis Kobb, 64, fell from the cab of a semi-trailer while unloading it at his place of work, Paragon Tempered Glass. Kobb was caught under the rear wheels of the semi and succumbed to his injuires.

8. Murder victim identified by police — Angela Cluver, 52, was found dead in her Niles home in August afer her boyfriend, James Huffman Sr., turned himself in for homicide. Throughout court hearings thus far, Huffman’s attorney has alleged the death was the result of a suicide pact gone wrong. Huffman’s attorney will present an assisted suicide defense when a jury trial begins in January.

9. Niles business owner announces plans to open downtown brewery — Bryan Williams, owner of popular cocktail lounge The Brass Eye in Niles, announced in September that he intends to open a brewery in the former Woolworth’s building at 115 E. Main St. in Niles. Williams has partnered with his friend,  Zach Kline, a local brewer. While the business owner has not divulged many details about the soon-to-open business, he teased future customers with the promise of a special “twist” on a brewery that he says will set his brewery apart from the many similar establishments in Michiana.

10. Myers family selling Sister Lakes Grocery Store — Sister Lakes and Dowagiac residents were sad to learn that Myers Super Valu would close its doors as a local grocery store in November. Brad Myers, who owned the business for more than 50 years, sold the store to  popular Mexican grocers and eatery La Perla Produce, based out of Benton Harbor, who intend to open in early 2018. Myers and his family operated the Sister Lakes store and many others throughout the area for half a century, but Myers, now 71, said that while he will miss his faithful customers, he is looking forward to retirement.