2016's Top Stories on Minnesota Patch

New Year's Day is just around the corner, and we're looking back at some of the top stories of 2016. Minnesota saw an eventful year, from the Ryder Cup to the end of the Jacob Wetterling case.

Here are some of the stories that Minnesota Patch readers like you were most interested in:

Here Are The Top Colleges In Minnesota, According To Latest Forbes Ranking

Forbes just announced its rankings, which favor a return on investment.

17 Minnesota High Schools Make Newsweek’s Top 500

Edina High School again received the highest ranking in the state.

Feds: Mexican Restaurant Chain in Twin Cities Hid Large Drug Operation

Court documents allege restaurants in Eagan, Long Lake, and Lakeville acted as fronts for marijuana, cocaine, and meth trafficking.

WATCH: Golf Fan Heckles European Pros, Sinks $100 Putt

A player from Europe’s Ryder Cup team challenged a heckling fan to a 10-foot putt. He sunk it and won $100 in the process.

The Jacob Wetterling Story: What Went Wrong (Part 1 in a 5-Part Series)

Why did it take investigators nearly 27 years to find out what happened to Jacob Wetterling?

Maple Grove Woman Comes Up with 'New Excuse' For Speeding

The Minnesota State Patrol has heard almost every excuse in the book, but a woman from Maple Grove came up with one they'd never before.

Watch: Minneapolis Anti-Trump Protesters Shut Down I-94

For the second consecutive night, demonstrators marched through the Twin Cities in protest of the election of Donald Trump.

Image via Patch Media File