Plainfield 2013 Year in Review: Editor's Picks

'Alcohol Is No Excuse for Murder'

The family of a slain Plainfield woman wants to change a Wisconsin law after 21-year-old expectant mom Alisha Bromfield died at the hands of a supposed friend — who then claimed he was too drunk to know what he was doing. Brian Cooper, 36, was convicted last spring of sexually assaulting Bromfield after she was dead, but jurors couldn't come to an agreement on two counts of first-degree intentional homicide. Alisha's mom, Sherry Anicich, has launched an online petition asking the Wisconsin legislature to change a statute that allows a defendant to argue that they were so intoxicated, they could not distinguish right from wrong and could not form intent.

Major Flood Hits Plainfield

In April, heavy rains caused flooding Plainfield, closing roads and schools, stranding motorists and causing major property damage. The Marybrook subdivision also had to be evacuated. Related: Flood photo gallery

Plainfield Trustee Wanted Names of 'Anonymous Cyberbullies'

Claiming his State Senate campaign was derailed by online naysayers, Plainfield trustee Garrett Peck last January asked a judge to order Patch and online message board Topix to reveal the identities of several commenters. In October, Peck filed a lawsuit against Plainfield Township Democratic chairman Mike Keniley, whom he'd unmasked as one of the alleged offending commenters.

Peck Named Park District Executive Director

Plainfield trustee Garrett Peck was back in the news in May, as the newly elected Plainfield Park District board made the controversial decision to hire him as the new executive director — even though park district employee Cameron Bettin already had a contract to take the place of retiring executive director Greg Bott.

Baci Bow-Out: Entrepreneur Halts Plans to Remodel Historic Downtown Building

Chef Darryl Sams had big plans for the former Baci restaurant building, which had been purchased by the Village of Plainfield in the hopes of saving it from the wrecking ball. After boasting that he planned to open a white-tablecloth, New Orleans-inspired steak and seafood restaurant, Sams unexpectedly pulled the plug on the project. The building is back on the market.

Tornado Debris Travels 100 Miles — and Sparks Act of Kindness

One family from Washington, Illinois, lost their rental townhome and the new house they'd just purchased. But a Plainfield South grad's act of kindness reminded them that all was not lost.

Steinys Guilty in Battery Case

More controversy for the Plainfield Park District as newly elected commissioner Peter Steinys was found guilty of striking a rival campaign volunteer with a car door. Joliet firefighter Michael Carlin, who was a volunteer on State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant's campaign, claimed Steinys swore, made threats and hit him with the door after a spat over campaign signs. Carlin said the argument happened after someone swapped Bertino-Tarrant signs for Garrett Peck signs. Peck ultimately lost the election, and Steinys wound up with a $300 fine and a year of court supervision.

What stories do you think should be on the list? Tell me in the comments.