By AUTUMN JOHNSON (Patch Staff)



Here are our top Patch stories in California from 2015:

It's a real life "Notebook" ending for this couple's love story.

Tiffany Rich's dream to meet her "inspiration" came true thanks to an online media campaign and the kindness of the pop superstar.

Sometimes, it's what you're doing when nobody's watching that will make you a star.

Suit alleges winemakers knowingly sell arsenic-contaminated wines such as Menage a Trois, Sutter Home, Wine Cube, Charles Shaw, and Beringer

The point guard was in Pleasanton to sign autographs and meet with fans while promoting the release of his new shoe.

The Trees family are moving from Bend, Ore. to Temecula and were spending the night in Roseville when their U-Haul truck was stolen.

The large cat was spotted near the shopping center Friday morning. Sadly, officials say it died shortly after capture.

An officer held the woman by her fingertips through the chain link fence until firefighters were able to secure her to the fencing.

Following one of the most deadly shootings in the history of the state, 14 local families' lives were forever changed. As most people planned for the holidays, these families planned funerals.

While authorities investigate the collapse, support for survivors and the families of victims intensifies.

The San Ramon Valley High School student's name is displayed on a flag on the world's tallest peak, thanks to a special expedition,

Hundreds have hiked up the Santa Monica Mountains to marvel at a lonely piano since it was discovered by a news chopper.

It's seen near—you guessed it—the Haunted Mansion!

The magazine released the list of its top 25 sexiest cities in America, and the Golden State came out on top with cities on the list.

Her mother is now working to raise awareness of the dangers of the amoeba.

Snowfall in Temecula made for some especially significant memories for some families. Here's one.

"Duh, don't you know? La Cienega is totally closed between Fountain and Sunset right now."

Playboy Enterprises has settled with a woman who sued after a Playboy radio host hit her with a golf club while she acted as a tee.

CHP officials say the driver was taken to a hospital with a complaint of pain but any injuries he suffered were minor.

Alzheimer's is the only leading cause of death in this nation that is not preventable or curable. Three editors, three memories, one cause.

A revenge porn website operator who paid a Studio City hacker to steal nude photos from women has been sentenced to prison.

NBC7 San Diego reported on a brief, but apparently fulfilling encounter between a surfer and a sea lion pup.

An unfortunate trend in America. The San Bernardino massacre was one of the worst in the history of California.

The man who was the voice of Charlie Brown in the "Peanuts" holiday specials violated probation for crimes he committed.

When the excess many of us are accustomed to sometimes clouds our vision, one woman squinting under the hot sun saw more clearly than ever.

It's the second viral reaction video on a day where no one was injured and instead, could simply laugh in the wake of their fleeting panic.

One spooky hotel apparition seemed curious about a group of amateur ghost hunters. What do YOU see?

The very ugly, yet very adorable, former shelter pooch from Florida takes the crown at the Sonoma-Marin Fair

Michael Reagan's emails regarding his former business partner contained denigrating remarks about the latter's Latino heritage.

A note left on the receipt where the tip would go, read, "Tip for U.S. Citizens Only." The offensive remark is getting a ton of attention.

Taking a cue from Europe, the City is employing pee-repellent paint on its walls in a pilot program to deter people from peeing in the street.

More News from Patch in 2015:

Photo via Tiffany Rich. Caption: Tiffany Rich and Kelsey Sleek meet Taylor Swift in Santa Clara on Aug. 15, 2015 from Young Woman in Need of Double Lung Transplant: 'Meeting Taylor Swift Was Best Moment Ever'