ORLANDO, Fla. — Hurricanes. Celebrity deaths. Tragedies at tourist attractions.

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A lot has happened this year in Central Florida.

Here are the biggest stories Channel 9 covered this year.

Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian floods streets in Osceola County (WFTV)

Hurricane Ian devastated portions of Central Florida when it made landfall in southwestern Florida at 3:10 p.m. on Sept. 28 as a Category 4 storm. Wind gusts exceeded 150 mph.

Read a timeline of events from the storm and its aftermath on Sept. 29 by clicking here.

See our photo gallery below:

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Photos: Days after Hurricane Ian, inland Florida still reeling from floods National Guardsmen transport meals ready-to-eat to a community cut off by flooding in the wake of Hurricane Ian near the Peace River on October 4, 2022, in Arcadia, Florida. Fifty miles inland, and nearly a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the record-breaking floodwaters in the area are receding to reveal the full effects of the storm. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Hurricane Nicole

VIDEO: Florida leaders knew about hurricane risks decades before Ian, Nicole Florida leaders knew about hurricane risks decades before Ian, Nicole

Just as the area recovered from Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Nicole swept., making landfall at 3 a.m. on Nov. 10 along the east coast of Florida just south of Vero Beach.

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Photos: Tropical Storm Nicole leaves Florida peninsula drenched, damaged Members of the Daytona Beach Fire Department walk through floodwaters searching for people that may need help after Hurricane Nicole came ashore on November 10, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Nicole came ashore as a Category 1 hurricane before weakening to a tropical storm as it moved across the state. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Tyre Sampson

IN-DEPTH: 14-year-old dies after falling off Orlando FreeFall Safety expert: ‘I have serious concerns’ about harness in teen’s death on Orlando FreeFall

In March, 14-year-old Tyre Sampson tragically fell to his death from the Orlando FreeFall drop ride at ICON Park. The teen, who was visiting Orlando with another family, was over the weight limit but a worker modified the safety sensor to allow him to board.

READ: Tyre Sampson was more than 200 feet in the air when he slipped out of seat, records show

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Orlando Free Fall death (WFTV Staff)

As a result of Samspon’s death, officials announced the Freefall ride would be removed, which his family called “a small victory.”

READ: Tyre Sampson’s family: Removing FreeFall ride a small victory that could lead to laws changed

VIDEO: Tyre Sampson’s family: Removing FreeFall ride a small victory that could lead to laws changed Tyre Sampson’s family: Removing FreeFall ride a small victory that could lead to laws changed

As a result of Samspon’s death, officials announced the Freefall ride would be removed, which his family called “a small victory.”

READ: Tyre Sampson’s family: Removing FreeFall ride a small victory that could lead to laws changed

Artemis I

Video: NASA’s Artemis I rocket begins journey to moon after launching from Florida’s Space Coast NASA and others around the world are celebrating another historic moment from Florida’s Space Coast. (James Tutten, WFTV.com/WFTV)

Following several delays and setbacks, Artemis I finally blasted off from the Space Coast in November, beginning its journey to the moon.

Artemis I will demonstrate the capabilities of both the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft.

READ: NASA’s Artemis I rocket begins journey to moon after launching from Florida’s Space Coast

That includes a test of the Orion heat shield.

The ship splashed back down in December.

READ: NASA’s Artemis I moon mission ends as Orion capsule splashes down in Pacific Ocean

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NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))

Bob Saget

Video: Orange County deputies disciplined for sharing news of Bob Saget’s death before his family knew Two Orange County deputies were disciplined after they shared details about Bob Saget’s death in Orlando before his family had been notified, documents show. (WFTV)

Comedian Bob Saget, 65, was found unresponsive on Jan. 9 in a hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Saget’s injuries were most likely incurred from an “unwitnessed fall,” authorities said.

Orange County deputies have stated that a medical examiner found accidental head trauma to be the cause of Saget’s death, and drugs and alcohol were not found in his system.

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Bob Saget Bob Saget arrives at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Reedy Creek

VIDEO: First Reedy Creek lawsuit against DeSantis filed, but some question its strength First Reedy Creek lawsuit against DeSantis filed, but some question its strength

In April, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law the legislation abolishing the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

If the plan by Gov. Ron DeSantis goes through, Orange and Osceola counties would assume all assets and liabilities of Reedy Creek on June 1, 2023, much like they would if towns such as St. Cloud or Apopka dissolved.

READ: End of Reedy Creek: Disney won’t pay more taxes, but you will

The proposed dissolving of Reedy Creek was in response to Disney’s vocal disagreement with the Parental Rights in Education bill, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics, which DeSantis signed into law in March.

READ: Florida responds to ‘Don’t Say Gay’ confusion, says enforcement will be limited

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Dave Bautista Dave Bautista, one of the stars of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, experiences the all-new family thrill coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Philips, photographer) (Kent Phillips/Walt Disney World)

READ: Celebration of life: Remembering Angela Jacobs, our dear friend & colleague

Midterm election

Voters from across Florida have cast their ballots in the 2022 midterm election.

See results here.

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WFTV Election Results WFTV is committed to bringing complete coverage of the 2022 midterm elections. (Cindy Kelly/WFTV)

Joel Greenberg

Video: Joel Greenberg: Disgraced former Seminole County tax collector sentenced to 11 years Disgraced former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Thursday. (Jeff Deal, WFTV.com)

Disgraced former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison in December.

That sentence applies to the six criminal charges he pleaded guilty to, including child sex trafficking.

In addition to the 11 years in prison, he was sentenced to 10 years of probation.

READ: Joel Greenberg: Disgraced former Seminole County tax collector sentenced to 11 years

Special Olympics

The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games kicked off with the opening ceremony at Exploria Stadium in June.

More than 5,000 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean competed in the week-long event.

READ: 2022 Special Olympics USA Games underway in Orlando

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Thousands of athletes to attend Special Olympics USA Games at Walt Disney World

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