A year in review is rarely pretty, and 2015 was no exception. Here’s a brief list of the some of the biggest stories that made it a year to remember, and soon leave behind.

Diamond Foundry, a Peninsula-based startup with A-list investors, puts a Silicon Valley spin on high-end, lab-made diamonds.

A federal jury awarded $11.3 million to a man left paralyzed when a San Jose police officer shot him in the back.

Sixteen pot clubs have passed legal muster to operate in San Jose. The surviving collectives include some of the biggest players in the local industry

A Fremont man who allegedly tried to join a terrorist group in Syria has been indicted by a federal grand jury, prosecutors announced Thursday.

A Bay Area public finance official pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to stealing millions of taxpayer dollars.

Earlier this month, an enveloped arrived containing what appears to be Rep. Mike Honda's "1,000 Cranes" list, the million-dollar Rolodex of top donors.

Police are pointing to the terrorist attacks in San Bernardino as proof that local law enforcement needs military tools and training.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District has appointed John Varela to its South County seat. The former Morgan Hill mayor was sworn in Thursday.

The City Council will debate whether to commission a study on charging an affordable housing fee for commercial development.

San Jose’s top marijuana official has been accused of threatening collectives at a meeting earlier this month. The city disputes the claim.

Earlier today, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo’s office posed the question: How did we do? We’ve decided to leave that question up to readers.

Police cleared out an Islamic civil rights center Thursday in Santa Clara after a staffer opened a letter dusted with a suspicious white powder.

Santa Clara County's Board of Supervisors has nominated Dave Cortese for a second year as board president.

The San Jose SaberCats, the reigning Arena Football League champions and city’s most decorated pro sports franchise, are on the verge of extinction

Milpitas’ former city attorney, whose entire office was outsourced to a private law firm this past summer, plans to sue the city for retaliation.