As 2019 comes to a close, here’s a look back at the 10 most talked-about and impactful South Florida stories of the year, as reported by Local10.com. Ron DeSantis said outside the Broward Sheriff's Office, Jan. 11, 2019, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ron DeSantis suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, citing “neglect of duty and incompetence,” and appointed former Coral Springs police Sgt. Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz stares into the camera during a hearing in a Broward County courtroom, Dec. 19, 2019, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Broward County Judge Elizabeth Scherer and defense attorneys listen as prosecutor Nicole Chiappone explains the state's position on the start of Nikolas Cruz's murder trial, Dec. 19, 2019, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. - The stigma of mental illness can carry so much shame that many are forced to suffer in silence. "I had mental illness that was undiagnosed and untreated, and I didn't fully understand what was wrong. Joyella also worked side by side with Local 10's Todd Tongen, who took his own life this month. Eventually, a news story about mental illness made him get help. "Call me crazy if you want, but I am not going to live in a closet of mental illness," Joyella said.

Local 10 News has learned that the death of Todd Tongen was a suicide. "We are shocked and saddened by the death of Todd Tongen, but we are choosing to remember how he lived," WPLG President and CEO Bert Medina said. He was the calm after the storm and just what South Florida needed at that time. Todd Tongen and Neki Mohan shared the weekend morning anchor desk at Local 10. Todd's brother, Dr. Scott Tongen, spoke to Local 10 News about why he believes Todd took his life.

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – A U.S. Army serviceman sent a message to Local 10 News Tuesday saying that "the U.S. Army here in Iraq" was feeling the pain of Todd Tongen's death. Alexander Gonzalez, who is serving in Iraq, also said he wanted his family and everyone in the newsroom to know that during their time off overseas they enjoyed watching the news with Tongen. "We feel your pain," Gonzalez said, adding that they were hoping to invite Tongen to have Thanksgiving dinner with them in Iraq this year. The veteran Local 10 News anchor was found dead on Monday morning at his home in Broward County's Southwest Ranches. He received the Associated Press Award and an Emmy Award and was recognized for his community service in South Florida.

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. - On Friday, May 19, Local 10's Todd Tongen and Neki Mohan will be crisscrossing South Florida aboard a big yellow bus collecting and distributing books. It's all part of Local 10's "My Future My Choice" Big Book Drive. Come out, say hello and donate a book to a child in need. But, if you can't make it to one of the locations, Local 10 has made it very easy and convenient for you to give. The goal is to collect 100,000 books to make a difference in 100,000 young lives.