Who were Houston's most fascinating newsmakers of 2014?

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Monday, December 15, 2014
JJ Watt
Houston Texans' J.J. Watt (99) walks off the field following an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Houston
ktrk-AP Photo/Eric Gay

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We're taking a look at some of the most fascinating Houston newsmakers of 2014, from bizarre crimes to local heroes and strength beyond tragedy.

We start our list with the $100 million man. From impressive plays on the field to playing with kids and playing himself on TV, Houston Texan JJ Watt is everywhere and everyone knows his name.

But what make this NFL player more fascinating than most is that he gives back, gives it his all and even gives us a laugh.

Then there's Dr. Ana Gonzalez-Angulo. A jury sentenced the renowned MD Anderson doctor to 10 years behind bars in September for spiking her lover's coffee with a chemical found in antifreeze. Her often salacious trial centered on a love triangle where Dr. Gonzalez-Angulo was having an affair with her colleague, Dr. George Blumeneschein, the man she poisoned, while he was in a longtime relationship with someone else.

Next, we have Angela Box, the HISD third-grade teacher who appeared on a political public access show in early November and stirred up controversy with comments like, "I am so sick of the bacon haters coming here."

"I have my right to my first amendment," said Box during one of our stories this year. "I have a right to my private life and I think if any school district wants to look at the private lives of teachers, that's a slippery slope indeed."

Then there's three-story luxury closet owner Theresa Roemer. She went on Good Morning America to show off the grand space where she held charity parties, then weeks later, reported someone broke in and stole at least a million dollars in handbags and jewelry.

Making the case even stranger, a person claiming to be the thief mailed some of the stolen goods to a local media outlet, threatening to expose the items as fakes if Roemer refused to pay up.

Finally, there was 15-year-old Cassidy Stay, the sole survivor of a tragedy in Spring in which six family members -- both parents and four siblings -- were shot and killed in their home. Cassidy survived by playing dead. In the weeks following the event, Cassidy showed grace and poise beyond her age attending public fundraisers and events.

These were just five of the biggest newsmakers in 2014. We've compiled more in the slideshow below.