Animal Behaving Badly, People Behaving Weirdly, Celebrity Deaths: Best of California Stories in 2016

This year was full of ups and downs, and full of surprises.

In California, the state started 2016 off in mourning over the San Bernardino Massacre and ended with the unexpected deaths of "Star Wars" icon Carrie Fisher and her mother, Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds. But, along the way, there were some uplifting stories, such as a son reuniting with his mother after being kidnapped for 20 years and a community coming together to combat hate.

From lottery fever, to animal behaving badly to people being weird, here are some of the best stories Patch covered this year.

The Heartwarming

Son Missing For 20 Years Returns From Mexico to Reunite With Mother

• Investigators brought 22-year-old Steve Hernandez across the Tijuana border Thursday to meet his mother.

SB Strong: A First Responder’s Look Back at the San Bernardino Terror Attack One Year Later

• “Just the chaos, just the bloodshed; the horror of seeing all that. It is hard to talk about.”

99-Year-Old Livermore High Alumna Crowned Honorary Homecoming Queen

• What a life! From horse and buggy to Rosie the Riveter, to fully engaged in the new millennium, Edna Chance has experienced local history.

'We Are One Heartbeat': San Diego Gathers for Impromptu Vigil

• Organizers said the event shows that San Diego is not OK with hate.

Incredible Pig Auction Nets Some Serious Bacon For Livermore Boy Battling Leukemia

• An exhilarating and emotional video captured a heartwarming auction that garnered $150,281, bringing a community to its feet.

Heartwarming Story Revealed Behind California 'Promposal' Video

• After a plea for help on Facebook, dozens of strangers came together to pull off the elaborate plan at a Southern California mall.

Uplifting Random Act of Kindness: See Man Stop To Help Elderly Woman With Precious Ritual

• "If you recognize him, please mention this and thank him for me," a Pleasanton man said

3 Winning Powerball Tickets for $1.5 Billion Sold, One in Chino Hills, CA

• Lottery officials are reporting at least one jackpot winner in the Wednesday, Jan. 13, jackpot drawing.

Animals Being Weird, Funny or Behaving Badly

Rare Sassy Cephalopod Beguiles California Scientists (VIDEO)

• California scientists found a rare deep sea creature that looks more like a googly-eyed toy than a mystery of the deep.

See CHP Pursue Wayward Chihuahua on San Francisco's Bay Bridge

• Someone tell this poor dog about BART!

Thirsty Bobcat Drinks from Backyard Water Fountain in La Cañada Flintridge

• It's not unheard of for bobcats to be seen in the middle of the day, though it is rare. This cat must have been really thirsty.

Adorable Baby Horse Rescued in California, Rides in Backseat [Photos]

• The foal is so small it rode in the back seat, cradled next to a volunteer, to a local ranch after its rescue.

Livermore Police K9 May Be More Bark Than Bite

• Don’t let this pup’s size (or the video) fool you.

See: Giant Bear Swims In Giant Pool, Takes Giant Nap

• The bear then climbed a tree and napped for several hours before climbing down and headed back to the wilderness.

Alligator Found in Niles Canyon

• No it's not a wild goose chase--it's an alligator hunt right here in Alameda County!

The Heartbreakers

Watch As American Icon Nancy Reagan Is Laid to Rest

• With her children flanked by state leaders, celebrities and news anchors, Nancy Reagan is laid to rest alongside the love of her life.

Black Celebrities Express Outrage Over Another Fatal Police Shooting of Black Man

• Celebrities weigh in on the latest police shootings in which two black men were killed.

Debbie Reynolds, Iconic Hollywood Actress, Dead at 84

• The legendary actress died one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher, died.

Carrie Fisher, Beloved 'Star Wars' Actress, Dies

• The actress was best known for her role as Princess Leia in the "Star Wars" franchise. She was 60.

Weird, Funny News

Northern California's Slang 'Hella' Added to Merriam-Webster New Edition

• Our word was among 2,000 interesting new words chosen for the latest edition of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

Beverly Hills Dad Places Ad On Father's Day Seeking Wife For Son

• The dad, apparently wanting to become a grandfather sooner rather than later, placed the ad without his son's knowledge.

Woman Uses Sex Toys to Fend Off Armed Would-Be Robber at Adult Store (VIDEO)

• Watch as the woman chases off the man who tried to rob the Inland Empire sex shop.

Unnerving Hotel Shadow May be One of Pleasanton's Legendary Ghosts

• Does it like visitors or does it stand sentinel in the building once home to prostitutes, scoundrels and possibly murder?

Oops! Super Bowl Grounds Crews Seeing Double

• When Levi’s Stadium grounds crews painted the end zones for Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos got a sweet deal.

Dog Poop In Dogtown: Alleged Machete Threat Lands Man In Doghouse

• Marin County Sheriff's officials say a man is under arrest after allegedly threatening another over dog feces.

-- Sassy octopus photo courtesy of the Exploration Vessel Nautilus; Carrie Fisher photo credit: Riccardo Ghilard/Wikimedia Commons; Orlando vigil hug photo credit: Alexander Nguyen/Patch; Wife seeker photo courtesy of the Coeur d'Alene Press