A decapitated pet, a council resignation and the launch of a Southampton murder investigation are among the stories featured in our review of 2023 for December.
The month began with the heartbreaking story of a pet cat who was discovered decapitated in a West End garden.
Loki was found dead by his owner Catherine Lansome as she left for work with police branding it a "shocking and rare case" of "malicious cruelty".
This was followed a day later by a row between the city council and British Gas due to fire safety issues at eight tower blocks.
Council bosses said the flats are safe to be in despite concerns over works carried out by the gas company, but residents said they were questioning their safety.
On December 7 the Echo shared the story of selfless Saints fan Simon Oakley who decided to come off a ventilator so his organs could be donated to those waiting for transplants.
He had been in a coma following a fall at St Mary's Stadium on November 13.
Four days later experts got involved in a debate over a photograph that appeared to show a finned animal off the coast of Hook.
The individual who took the image said this could belong to a basking shark - though a lecturer from the University of Southampton said the animal was more likely a dolphin.
On December 16 a lifelong Saints fan explained how he had tried to tackle a blaze in a garden which almost destroyed his shed full of Southampton memorabilia.
Ian Black, 52, was left in shock after the fire that ripped through his neighbour's shed partially spread to his painstakingly-created games room.
And just three days later, another fire caused damage to a Thai massage parlour in Commercial Road, Southampton.
The blaze, which started in a tumble dryer, ripped through Beautiful Massage shop leaving owner Somwang Khanajan devastated.
On December 20 the Echo shared news of an animal rescue shelter that had been bombarded with prank packages containing empty bottles and crisp packets.
Second Chance Animal Rescue in Mansbridge received nine parcels in just one weekend prompting rescue co-ordinator Rose Milne to speak out.
One day later news broke of Cllr Satvir Kaur's resignation as leader of Southampton City Council.
Cllr Kaur took over the role after Labour regained its majority in 2022 but said she was leaving as she vies for the Southampton Test parliamentary seat.
Three days before Christmas roofer Sam Skinner shared his story of running 200 miles in a gruelling challenge to raise money for a Southampton children's ward.
The father-of-three was left with swelled feet and hallucinating by the end of the challenge which saw him raise £16,000 for the Piam Brown ward.
On December 23 the Echo published details of a murder investigation which had been launched following the death of a man in the city centre.
The man in his 40s from Fareham died after suffering a cardiac arrest at the junction of Bernard Street and Oxford Street, prompting two arrests.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here