But throughout the hardship and gloom caused by coronavirus, Hartlepool has continued to show its strength and community spirit.
And there have been lots of stories covered by the Mail to make us smile.
We remind ourselves here of some that really stood out over the last 12 months.
Happy New Year everyone.
1. The Liddell family's giant Grinch
The Liddell family raised more than £30,000 for Alice House Hospice after inflating him outside their home on Park Avenue. Pictured are husband and wife Ray and Jenna with daughters Jasmine, seven and Olivia, 12. Photo: Stu Norton
2. Hartlepool Virtual Giving Tree
Middleton Grange shopping centre's Giving Tree collected a staggering 177,000 Christmas presents for disadvantaged children after moving online for the first time due to coronavirus. Manager Mark Rycraft is seen here with a small fraction of the gifts. Photo: Third Party
3. Savannah Marshall's world title win
Hartlepool boxer Savannah Marshall became the WBO middleweight world champion in October when she defeated Hannah Rankin in stunning style at Wembley’s SSE Arena. Photo by Getty Images. Photo: Richard Heathcote
4. Harry Fletcher's handmade poppies
Nine-year-old Harry Fletcher raised more than £5,000 for the Royal British Legion after making hundreds of handmade poppies when Covid meant he could not parade with his cub scout group on Remembrance Sunday. Photo: UGC