Editor's Note: Each week in this space we compile the most widely read stories from the past week. With NOTL in the path of totality for Monday's solar eclipse, we take a look at our top stories about that topic. 

Tribunal Week Three: Rand experts questioned on infrastructure, traffic, historic garden and other issues

Four more days of evidence about the proposed subdivision wrapped up earlier this week. Much of the focus was on drainage and underground infrastructure, traffic, impacts on local agriculture, and landscaping issues that include the renowned  Dunnington-Grubb gardens on the property. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY

DAY BY DAY AT THE TRIBUNAL

FRIDAY: Possibility of ponding, flooding discussed at Rand Tribunal 

THURSDAY: NOTL tribunal hearing discusses storm water pond on historic Rand Estate property

TUESDAY: Third week of Rand hearing includes talk of removing trees

Reif Estate offers vendors' market to support victims of domestic violence

Proceeds from a two-day Mother's Day Weekend vendors market at Reif Estate Winery will support Birchway Niagara, a women's shelter dedicated to providing support and resources to women and children who are victims of domestic violence. More than 40 vendors are expected to attend. The Feverish Lemons will be playing live music and there will be activities for mom. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY

Walking group cleans up neighbourhood

A group of 15 women who walk together for an hour or so five days a week dedicated last Monday's walk to cleaning up the town a bit. It was their annual Earth Day clean-up on Niagara Stone Road from Anderson Lane to Garrison Village Drive. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY

BEHIND THE SCENES: If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen (as any pickleball player knows)

NOTL Local reporter Mike Balsom discusses the reopening of the outdoor pickleball courts at the Virgil sports park with Village Media's Scott Sexsmith. At the upcoming council meeting Tuesday the committee of the whole's recommendation to go forward with reopening the courts when the two-year ban expires on June 15 is expected to be ratified. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY

Agatha Christie's courtroom thriller takes the stand at Shaw

Elements of courtroom and theatre blend together in Shaw Festival’s debut production of Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution, now at Royal George Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The NOTL Local's Sharon Burns says director Alistair Newton has directed Witness as if the audience were watching a black-and-white film. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY

Beststelling author Kai Thomas visits for One Book, One Niagara

Readers from across Niagara came together at Welland Centennial Secondary School Tuesday, to hear Ottawa-born Afro-Canadian author Kai Thomas discuss his debut novel In the Upper Country. It was the second year for the One Book, One Niagara initiative, a region-wide book club aimed at connecting residents across the region through the shared experience of reading the same book. Former NOTL resident Patty Krawec moderated the discussion. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY

Peter Domarchuk inducted into Guelph Gryphons Athletic Hall of Fame

Local real estate agent and Sir Winston Churchill high school teacher won multiple gold medals and national championships in university wrestling and represented Canada at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY

Local softball player represents Canada at Caribbean tournament

Amber Thorpe, a member of the NOTL Pickleball Club, is a long-time softball player just back from winning a silver medal with Team Canada at a tournament in the Caribbean island country Curaçao. She balances softball with her freelance work as a tattoo artist and a new boat tour venture she runs with her partner out of the St. Catharines Marina. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY