Reflecting on 2017: Top Stories of the year on ABC7NY

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The sad, the silly, the inspirational - 2017 was a memorable year in news. Check out our lists of the most-read stories on ABC7NY.com

TOP 10 LOCAL NEWS STORIES

A group of middle school students from New Jersey caused quite a flap, after half of them refused to take a picture with Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan.

A woman's body was found in a car after a fiery crash on the Gowanus Expressway in Brooklyn Friday morning, and authorities say the driver -- believed to be a man she was dating -- hailed a cab in the middle of the highway while she burned to death.

That's all, folks! After nearly two months of captivating hundreds of millions around the world, Animal Adventure Park's live stream of the recently-very-pregnant April the giraffe is no more.

Chanel Lewis, 20, was arrested after the medical examiner's lab matched DNA evidence from the crime scene and Vetrano to the suspect, police said.

A man in a rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists along a busy bike path in New York City Tuesday, killing at least eight and injuring 13 others in what the mayor called "a particularly cowardly act of terror."

A state trooper attempting to make a traffic stop was dragged and injured by a driver on Long Island Wednesday afternoon, and cellphone video shows some of the dramatic moments unfolding.

A young New York Yankees fan was injured after she was hit by a foul ball at Yankee Stadium Wednesday afternoon.

Amtrak police used a Taser on man inside Penn Station on Friday evening, causing a mass panic.

Travel was treacherous as Suffolk and Rockland counties declared a state of emergency. Many schools throughout the region would remain closed for Friday, but Mayor Bill de Blasio announced New York City schools would be OPEN on Friday.

Police say a gas station attendant in New Jersey was punched during a dispute over who could pump gas.

TOP 10 STORIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

It's an incredible story of paying it forward after a random act of kindness.

The 30-year-old had already beaten cancer once, lost an ovary in the process, and gotten pregnant with twins to her surprise and joy, only to find out the cancer had come back.

An 11-year-old girl was seriously injured when another girl at a sleepover poured boiling water on her as she slept.

Judy Malinowski is no longer suffering, but the fight continues as a new law to help domestic violence victims is now one step closure to passage in Ohio.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and a Chicago Cubs fan got into a verbal confrontation Sunday during a Cubs-Brewers game in Milwaukee.

When a reporter asked 40-year-old Jeremy Henggeler, owner of Jay's Sit and Stay, about the post, he displayed a knife and said that was his comment.

AJ Ross has more the deadlly crash from Brooklyn.

Jim Dolan has exclusive video of the suspect's arrest.

TOP 10 VIDEOS:

EXCLUSIVE: Man hails cab on Gowanus while date burns to death in car fire

Lucy Yang has more from Kew Gardens.

State trooper dragged during traffic stop in Hempstead

ABC's Adrienne Bankert has the story of the helpful homeless man.

Suspect accused of killing Howard Beach jogger Karina Vetrano

AJ Ross has the story.

Homeless veteran helps stranded woman

N.J. Burkett reports from South Orange.

Chaos for commuters after man Tasered at Penn Station

Jim Dolan reports on the deadly terror attack in the bike lanes along the West Side Highway

Half of NJ 8th grade class refuses to pose with Speaker Ryan

AJ Ross has more from Howell.

8 dead, 13 hurt in bike path terror rampage

Sade Baderinwa has the latest

Possible tornado blows through NJ Home Depot parking lot

Eyewitness News Sports Anchor Ryan Field has more on the incident.

April the giraffe gives birth before online audience

Seven married couples from the same New Jersey shore town, including a rabbi and his wife, now face charges that they misrepresented their income to get a combined $2 million in public welfare benefits to which they were not entitled.

Toddler girl hit by foul ball during Yankees game

See what the incoming first ladies wore to the recent inaugural balls.

TOP 10 PHOTO GALLERIES:

Adoptions are now open for dogs who were rescued from an alleged puppy mill in northwest Indiana four months ago.

After eight years in the White House, the Obamas are moving to a historic home in a new neighborhood in Washington D.C.

A woman is being praised for helping a blind Chicago Cubs fan hail a cab after a game.

The Daily Herald reports Isaac and Teresa Vatkin were wheeled into the same room on Saturday so they could be together as they took their last breaths.

It took a mighty medical team and a family with a mighty heart to accomplish what seemed extremely difficult - making baby Dominique physically able to live a normal life.

Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Caribbean on Sept. 6, sweeping over several islands and leaving devastation in its wake, before moving to Florida on Sept. 10.

It has been an exciting year in the field of astronomy with asteroid showers, scientific discoveries and an eclipse seen around the country.

A look back at the year's biggest moments including the first year of Donald Trump's presidency, a historic solar eclipse and some major weather moments.

From a huge flub at the Oscars to sexual harassment and assault allegations against several stars, it was a big year in show biz.

MORE:

From record flooding to disastrous wildfires, 2017 was one of the most catastrophic years ever for extreme weather across the U.S.