2016 in review: The year’s memorable news photos
Bernadette McCann reaches out to Hayden Ficht, 9, as they lead a New Orleans-style parade June 4 in memory of her son Brock, who was Hayden’s best friend and who was killed after being struck by a trash truck while riding his bike in May. ( Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot )
A bike can be seen under the front end of a trash truck that hit an 8-year-old boy who was later pronounced dead at the scene at the corner of 15th and Michael Place in Newport Beach in May. ( Don Leach / Daily Pilot )
A worker shoots a stream of water into the walls and ceiling to keep the dust down as an excavator rips apart one of the old buildings at the former Newport Beach City Hall site where demolition began in May. ( Don Leach / Daily Pilot )
Recent UCI grads sing the UCI mascot song in Chancellor Howard Gillman’s office during a surprise commencement ceremony in July. ( Don Leach / Daily Pilot )
Recent UCI grad Christopher Swieca begins to tear up as the surprise commencement ceremony begins. Swieca could not attend his commencement with his fellow water polo players because of an eye surgery and recovery. ( Don Leach / Daily Pilot )
Members of the Laguna Beach Police Honor Guard carry a flag during a remembrance ceremony in honor of fallen officers Jon Coutchie and Gordon French, who both died in the line of duty. Coutchie died three years ago on Sept 21. ( Don Leach / Daily Pilot )
More than 100 small U.S. flags decorated the public lawn in front of the lifeguard tower at Laguna’s Main Beach to honor the Memorial Day holiday in May. The flags were posted by Juliana Orrick and her daughter Chloe to honor their husband and father and for other veterans to enjoy. ( Don Leach / Daily Pilot )
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft speaks to students at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa on Nov. 10, 2016. ( Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot )