Year in Review: Top 10 Stories from 2015 on La Grange Patch

La Grange, IL - As the year winds down, we are looking back at some of the La Grange Patch’s top stories of 2015.

These are the stories you’ve read, shared and talked about most over the past 12 months. Patch has had a great year, thanks to your loyal readership, your news tips, suggestions and constructive feedback. We look forward to kicking off 2016 with even more inspiring, helpful and informative local stories.

Be sure to sign up for the La Grange Patch newsletter and like us on Facebook to continue following the latest in La Grange news in 2016. You can sign up for other Chicago-area Patch newsletters here.

Here is a look at the 10 most read stories from 2015:

1. ‘Rude White People’ Facebook Post Prompts Zoo to Act
   The Brookfield Zoo’s social media expert surely awoke to a headache one morning in June after a zoo employee in uniform posted a selfie on her personal page with a caption about rude white people. The Patch story collected more than 750 comments about racism, working in the service industry and the consequences of social media posts.
2. How Trader Joe’s Is Better Than Whole Foods
   The Trader Joe’s vs. Whole Foods debate got a little richer this year after a study found homeowners living near Trader Joe’s grocery stores can expect a greater increase in home values.
3. 54 Stingrays Die at Brookfield Zoo After Oxygen Level Drops
   A zoo habitat malfunction caused the death of 54 stingrays in July. The summer-long Stingray Bay exhibit was closed for the remainder of the season.
4. Big Guys Sausage Ready for a ‘Big Gay Wedding’ ... and Standing Up for LGBT Kids
   In response to the Indiana pizza restaurant that raised more than $842,000 when the owner said she would never cater a gay wedding, a Berwyn sausage stand started its own fundraiser to support LGBT youth.
5. Ten Students Hospitalized in School Bus Collision at Brookfield Zoo
   Two school busses crashed in May in the main parking lot of the Brookfield Zoo, sending 10 children to hospitals.
   
6. Elderly Giraffe Euthanized at Brookfield Zoo
   In another sombre story from the Brookfield Zoo this year, great-granny Franny, a 24-year-old giraffe at the zoo, was euthanized. Geriatric degenerative joint disease had affected her quality of life.
   
7. Lyons Township High School Ranked Among Best in Illinois
   In U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings, Lyons Township High School was named one of the best high schools in the state.
8. La Grange Named Among Safest Places in Illinois
   A study by ValuePenguin released this year named the Village of La Grange as the eighth safest midsize place in Illinois.
9. Meet The Artist Behind La Grange’s Snapchat Selfies
   Have you ever wondered how Snapchat filters come to life in a town? Meet the artist who gave La Grange and several other villages that filter you slide over your selfie.
10. Video: Streaker Spotted Running in Brookfield
    Naked man alert! A nude runner was recently spotted running through Brookfield. Police were not able to track down the buff mystery man.

There you have it — 2015 in a nutshell. Thanks again for keeping up with your Patch! Have a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year’s! - Morgan Searles, La Grange Patch editor.