Local iPhone Sync Possible in 10.10 Yosemite, or iCloud Sync only?

Question

With OS X 10.10 Yosemite and iOS 8.x, is there any way to sync contacts (and preferably calendar & notes) locally between Mac & iPhone, using my USB-to-lightning cable, NOT using iCloud? (As in olden days of 10.7?) I simply can't find a way, and none of the IT professionals at the local university know, either.
I upgraded from 10.7 -> 10.10, so missed the big furor when Apple omitted local sync in Mavericks 10.9. I read that Apple brought back local sync in a later version of Mavericks due to the backlash. But I can't even find a discussion about how to (or even if you can) sync locally with 10.10 Yosemite.

Answer 1

An interm report. First off, a huge thanks to Eric, Mudge, & Glenn! Second, descriptors for anyone searching:
How to Remove Your Contacts from iCloud (but Keep Them on Your Mac & iPhone)
aka, “How to Unfriend iCloud for Contacts.”
Caveat: I bungled my way through this process. (Several times.) I’m certain some of the steps I took were unnecessary; this is not a clean instruction set. Since there’s so little info out there at this time, however, I will relay what I did to finally get my contacts list OFF iCloud but ON my Mac and ON my iPhone (and still able to use other iCloud services such as Notes, etc.). Mac Mini running Yosemite 10.10.2, iPhone running iOS 8.1.3.
On Macintosh.
Backup Contacts. (.abbu file)
Contacts > Preferences > Accounts > Uncheck “Enable Account”
(Not sure this accomplishes anything.)
Sys Prefs > iCloud > Uncheck Contacts.
(Not sure this accomplishes anything either.)
Sys Prefs > iCloud > Sign out of iCloud.
(This accomplishes things!)
When given options for contacts/calendar data, choose
“Delete from Macintosh.”
Open contacts/calendar/notes/reminders on Mac, all empty.
Open Contacts > Preferences > Accounts > there are no accounts.
iPhone.
Settings > iCloud.
Turn off Contacts, & choose Keep on My iPhone.
(At least this part is easy.)
iCloud via Webpage:
Go to Contacts.
Delete them in bunches.
(Also straightforward.)
On Macintosh again.
Contacts > File > Import > Replace All. (Import the backup you just made.)
Contacts is (sort of) repopulated with your backup.
Problem: They’re imported under a contacts group called iCloud, and have a nasty habit of magically disappearing after a bit. To fix that: 
Contacts > View > Show Groups. A left hand column appears. Notice “All iCloud” is populated with your contacts and “My Mac” empty.
Select all your contacts (that are in the group ‘All iCloud’) and drag them to the group, “All On My Mac.”  (Takes awhile.)
Now click “All iCloud” (left column) and delete all contacts from it.
Want to tidy up? View > Hide Groups, Hide Last Import.
Open and close your contacts a few times to reassure yourself they’re there.
Breathe a sigh of relief.
Sign back into iCloud (via Sys Prefs), but:
UNcheck the “Use iCloud for mail, contacts, calendars, reminders, notes and Safari.”
(However I did check the Find My Mac option: “Allow FMM? > Allow.”)
On the iCloud list of services, Contacts maddeningly appears pre-checked, even though I said NO in the previous step!
Sign back out of iCloud, and choose “Delete from Mac” for contacts.
Sign back into iCloud.
Again, UNcheck the “Use iCloud for mail, contacts, calendars, reminders, notes and Safari.”
(Again, I did check the Find My Mac option: Allow FMM? > Allow.)
This time, all iCloud options are unchecked except for “FMM.”
Open up Contacts on the Mac, they’re all there. (Whew!)
Look under Contacts > View > Groups and the iCloud group is gone.
On iPhone: Open up contacts, they’re all there.
Access iCloud via webpage: Open up contacts, they’re all gone.
Feeling bold; can I get my iCould notes back on my Mac?
Sys Prefs > iCloud > check Notes, and after a brief pause, Notes repopulate on the Mac.
…that’s the report so far. Hope this is useful to somebody. I’m going to try calendars next.