Islamophobia continues to affect many communities around the country, including right here in Washtenaw County. Earlier this year, anti-Islam messages were written at the University of Michigan's Diag . As the New Year approaches, local Muslims hope for a better future in 2017.

2016 was a year for many changes in local government in Washtenaw County. One elected official garnered much of the attention.

New Year's Eve is right around the corner. For many, it's a time to gather friends and family and celebrate into the early morning hours. Many of those celebrations are accompanied by indulgence in alcohol. Ringing in 2017 in that kind of environment can pose serious difficulties for those struggling with addiction.

As 2016 draws to a close, it's a chance to reflect on the past year and look forward to what's coming in the year ahead. Here's what that means for Ann Arbor's mayor.

The legislative session in Lansing came to an end this year with a flurry. Numerous bills were passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and sent to Governor Rick Snyder to be signed into law. For some, it marks an end to time in office, but it also doesn't necessarily mean goodbye.

The City of Ann Arbor will roll out a deer cull once again early next year to help control their population.

It's been an adventurous year in Ann Arbor when it comes to recycling. Perhaps it's better characterized as a year of misadventures, as the city continues efforts to revamp the recycling program .

2016 has brought its share of challenges, not the least of which has been racial and ethnic tensions from the police shooting deaths of unarmed black men around the country, to the campaign rhetoric of the President-elect , to the white supremacist messages spray-painted on campus buildings at Eastern Michigan University. The Washtenaw County Sheriff is hoping, by taking it head-on, this area will be a model for how to address these issues.

With the first half of the academic school year behind us and most classes on hold until the New Year, we take a look at what's happening in one local school district .

The City of Ypsilanti will start the New Year looking for ways to improve its financial crisis.