Chuck Berry, Gun Violence and Katy Perry: 2017's Top Stories

ST. LOUIS, MO — It's been quite a year, but 2017 is almost over. Here is a look back at some of Patch's biggest stories from around the St. Louis area, from the epidemic of gun violence plaguing the city, to a daring rescue of sex traffic victims by the FBI, to a visit by the president.

If you feel like ringing the new year in (or the old one out), be sure to check out this list of the city's best New Year's Eve parties.

Chuck Berry, Legendary Singer and Guitarist, Dies At 90
Berry was found unresponsive in a home and pronounced deceased a short while later.

Missouri Senator Should Be Voted Out Over Trump Facebook Comment, Greitens Says
The Missouri Constitution says a lawmaker can be expelled upon a two-thirds vote of the elected members of a chamber.

St. Louis May Be Getting A Wahlburgers
St. Louis is getting a Wahlburgers, the actor confirmed during an appearance on Great Day St. Louis. Are you excited?

More Wakes Than Weddings: The St. Louis Gun Violence Epidemic
Activists, community members, and gun-violence survivors met on Wash U's medical campus to discuss a rash of shootings in St. Louis.

Biased Disciplinary Policies Create 'School-To-Prison Pipeline' In Missouri Schools
ACLU report argues de facto segregation exists in Missouri schools, creating a 'school-to-prison' pipeline for black and disabled students.

St. Louis Pet Expo Canceled, Organizer Denies Allegations Of Fraud
Canceled just a week before it was scheduled to be held at the St. Charles Convention Center, Expo vendors are demanding their money back.

Seventy-Nine Year Old Man 'Awfully Sorry' For Four Murders
Convicted of three murders in the 1970s, Torrance Epps pleaded guilty to shooting a woman earlier this year. He will most likely die in jail.

Katy Perry Crashes Wedding In St. Louis
How would you feel if Katy Perry crashed your wedding? Some St. Louis newlyweds found out.

Legalize It? St. Louis Files Bill To Decriminalize Marijuana
Should St. Louis legalize marijuana? A city alderwoman thinks so, and she has introduced a bill to do it.

Sinning In St. Louis? City Ranked Fourth For Vice In U.S.
St. Louis is number 4 on Wallethub's 2017 list of the most sinful cities in America.

17-Year-Old Rescued, Four Arrested In St. Louis As Part Of FBI Child Trafficking Sting
Eighty-four minors were rescued as part of Operation Cross Country XI, including a 17-year-old girl in St. Louis.

Detective In Honking Stop Has A History Of Complaints Against Him
Detective Steve Burle detained and ticketed programmer Scott Smith for honking his horn at a green light. He has a history of complaints.

St. Louis Community College Professor Tackled By Police Officer At Board Meeting
A math professor was body-slammed at community college board of trustees meeting. He says the use of force was not justified.

St. Charles Senior Care Service Donates Wheelchairs to Costa Rica
Bruce and Kirsten Pahde with Right at Home in St. Charles just returned from a trip to Costa Rica where they donated 35 wheelchairs.

St. Louis Gets Top Marks For LGBTQ Equality, St. Charles Flunks
Human Rights Campaign, a leading LGBTQ rights organization, awarded St. Louis its highest marks, while St. Charles flunked the test.

Trump Calls Tax Cuts Christmas Present For Americans
President Trump called tax cuts a Christmas present for Americans, though some in the middle class could be paying more under his plan.

Washington University Chancellor Troubled By GOP Tax Bill
The Republican tax bill would eliminate many educational deductions and make tuition waivers taxable, possibly crippling Universities.

More Than 100 Dogs And Cats Rescued In Missouri, Need Help
The Humane Society's Animal Cruelty Task Force rescued more than 100 cats and dogs from squalid, waste-filled conditions, the group said.

Lawson Elementary Teacher On Leave After Spitting At Student
"It made me feel disgusted," the student said. "It made me feel like a piece of trash, like he treated me like nothing."

St. Louis Police Acknowledge Journalists' Rights In Special Order
St. Louis police officers will be required to read and acknowledge the rights of journalists, The Post-Dispatch reports.

Judge Rules St. Louis Police Can't Use Chemicals On Protesters
Police can't use chemicals like pepper spray to shut down non-violent protests, a federal judge has ruled.

New Documentary Details Alleged Rape By Police Officer
"Are you freaky," the officer asked Brittany Walker, before coercing her into oral sex.

Activists and Community Leaders Call For St. Louis Boycott
No Justice No Profit, a St. Louis activist coalition, is calling for a boycott of the Galleria Mall, Target, Schnucks and other stores.

Ryan Griffin Foundation Donates $8,000 To U-City For Police Dog
The foundation was founded by the family of Ryan Griffin, who died of a drug overdose. His mother hopes the donation will help save lives.

U-City Councilmember Offers Apology Over Reappointment Fight
After fighting Rosalind Williams' reappointment to the Plan Commission, Councilmember Rod Jennings now says he was wrong and has apologized.

Arnold Police Officer In Stable Condition After Surgery
An Arnold police officer shot yesterday is stable, but his injuries are described as very serious.

New York Truck Attacker Had Ticket, Warrant in St. Charles
Sayfullo Saipov, whom authorities say carried out a truck attack in New York this afternoon, was served a 2016 warrant in St. Charles, Mo.

Celebrate Raja's Birthday Dec. 27 At The St. Louis Zoo
Raja, the zoo's Asian elephant, will turn 25 on Dec. 27. Come help him celebrate.

DNA Evidence Withheld From Anthony Lamar Smith's Family
'Vital' DNA evidence was withheld from the family of Anthony Lamar Smith in their civil suit against the police officer that shot him.

Blues Hockey Team Asks Judge To Fine City Comptroller $1000 A Day
Darlene Green refuses to add to the city's debt, despite a judge's order. The Blues asked that she be fined $1,000 a day until she does.

Carjacker Attempts To Steal Police Car, One Officer Injured
A carjacker in North St. Louis picked the wrong car. Police shot the suspect, who will survive. An Officer was injured by broken glass.

Teen With Autism Saves Girl From Choking
Doctors say Austin Medlock's quick thinking saved Kaelie Burk's life.

Police Identify Teen Shot By Officers Thanksgiving Day
Rehyen Bost-McMurray was 17 years old. Officers say he was armed.

EPA Gives St. Louis All Clear After Warehouse Fire
Officials initially said smoke from the massive warehouse fire last week might be toxic. Thankfully, that wasn't the case.

University City Holds Town Hall On Prop P Revenue
Citizens, public safety officials and city council members gathered at the U-City library Wed. night to discuss how to spend Prop P money.

Conflicts Raised, Compromise Reached At Tense Council Meeting
One councilmember cited conflicts of interest behind the removal of Rosalind Williams. Others said it was done out of political spite.

$74,590 Reward To Help Solve Irish Pub Owner's Murder
Patrick McVey was fatally shot on Interstate 55 more than a year ago. Can you help solve his murder?

Ellie The Elephant Treated For Tuberculosis At St. Louis Zoo
Ellie the elephant has tuberculosis. She is on antibiotics, and zoo officials say she'll be just fine.

St. Louis Election Results Rundown
Here are all the candidates and ballot measures that won in St. Louis City and County.

Missouri Governor Rebuffs Air Force Officer Arrested In Police 'Kettle'
Lt. Alex Nelson was arrested amid protests in September. His efforts to discuss police violence with Gov. Greitens have been rebuffed.

Spooky STL: Paranormal Researchers Seek Out City's Dark Corners
STL Paranormal Research Society members share some eerie experiences and haunted history. They'll be at the Old Courthouse Halloween night.

All photos by J. Ryne Danielson/Patch