Arlington Heights' Top 10 Stories of 2016: Ax Murderer, 8th-Grader's Donald Trump Act Made Headlines This Year

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — For many U.S. residents, 2016 will be a year that is remembered for a wild, unpredictable presidential election that put Donald Trump in the White House, a seeming epidemic of tragic and signficant celebrity deaths and the end of the Chicago Cubs' 108-year-old World Series title curse.

But not all of this year's big headlines had to do with national news for Arlington Heights Patch readers. We took a look at the people and events that were making waves locally in 2016 and put together a list of the top 10 stories that covered those topics and issues (along with six honorable mentions to make it 16 in '16).

In determining the list, we used some editorial discretion. These stories weren't always the most-read articles on Arlington Heights Patch, but they were the stores that had people talking. In fact, the ranking order of the stories is more of a way to organize the list than it is to gauge their overall significance. Inclusion in the top 10 is what's important; where on the list that inclusion happens — first, 10th or somewhere in between — not so much.

Like any good end-of-the-year list, this ranking of the village's top stories of 2016 should spark debate among readers. Are there stories that were robbed and undeservedly missed the cut? Probably. Just like there are top-story articles that some readers think have no business making it on the list. That's why comments sections were invented: Leave your thoughts and opinions there concerning additions and deletions to the rankings.

Enough discussion of the list. Time to unveil it. Here's Patch's top 10 Arlington Heights stories of 2016:

1. Arlington Heights Ax Murderer Receives Life Sentence for Killing Wife

MAY: Romanian-born Cristian Loga-Negru pleaded no contest to first-degree murder after being accused of hunting down and killing his estranged wife with a hatchet in 2014. He won't be eligible for parole for 30 years.

2. District 15 and Teachers Union Agree on Unprecedented 10-Year Contract

MAY: Officials for Community Consolidated School District 15 kept details of the controversial agreement secretive for weeks, a move that upset many residents.

3. Voters Reject $130M Bond Referendum to Build 2 New District 15 Schools

NOVEMBER: The contested election issue was defeated by a significant margin in the 2016 election.

4. Judge Recommends Rejecting Injunction to End District 211 Policy Allowing Transgender Student Locker Room Access

OCTOBER: The recommendation was not a final ruling and was part of a lawsuit filed by a conservative Christian group representing more than 50 families against Township High School District 211. The lawsuit, which was filed in May, is an effort to overturn the school system's policy that allows a Fremd High School transgender student to use school facilities, such as restrooms and locker rooms, that apply to her gender identity.

5. Arlington Racecourse and Horsemen's Group Sign New Contract and Avoid Canceling Season

APRIL: The 11th-hour agreement meant horse racing at the track began on schedule.

6. State Won't Allow Flying Spaghetti Monster Believer to Wear Strainer in Driver's License Photo

JULY: Pastafarian minister Rachel Hoover argued that wearing a metal colander on her head was an expression of her religious beliefs.

7. Eighth-Grader's Donald Trump Impression Kills at Middle School Graduation Ceremony and Earns Him a Spot on 'The Tonight Show' (VIDEO)

JUNE: After a video of Jack Aiello impersonating the then-Republican presidential candidate went viral, the Thomas Middle School grad performed his "Little Donald" act in a sketch with host Jimmy Fallon.

8. Resident Helps Foil Fugitive's Escape From Cook County Courthouse

JULY: Michael Neu saw the fugitive in the trunk of his wife's car, which was parked in the garage. Neu alerted police to the whereabouts of the escapee, who had slipped out of his handcuffs and fled while he was awaiting a hearing at the Rolling Meadows courthouse.

9. Former Arlington Heights Teacher's Dying Request: 'Don't Vote for Clinton'

JANUARY: The final line of Julia Jahec's obituary read: “Julia’s final request was that in lieu of flowers people not vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton."

10. 'Creepy Clown' Sightings Reported Around Arlington Heights

OCTOBER: Police investigated 4 incidents of suspicious clowns spotted throughout the village, part of a disturbing trend throughout the United States in late 2016.

Honorable Mentions

• New Arlington Heights Law Sets Rules for Signs in Pet Shops (April)
• Mariano's CEO Retires But Still Works as Adviser (July)
• Family Criticizes Hersey High School's Handling of Daughter's Peanut Allergy Attack, But District 214 Backs Nurse's Actions (September)
• Betsy Eberling of Arlington Heights Talks About Growing Up in Park Ridge with Hillary Clinton (September)
• Firefighters Rescue Pit Bull Who Fell Into Open Sewer (September)
• Ex-Secretary Sues District 214 for Making Her Quit Over Crying Bouts Caused by Depression (November)

YOUR TURN: Were these the top 2016 stories in Arlington Heights? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.

Convicted killer Cristian Loga-Negru (left) and eighth-grader Jack Aiello (photos via Patch archive and NBC)

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