Editor's Note: Each week in this space we compile the most widely read stories from the past week. 

Suspect in custody in double homicide in St. Catharines

33-year-old Andrew Mummery of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with two counts of Second-Degree murder in the deaths of 62-year-old George Mummery and 59-year-old Jennifer Allen, a retired teacher who attended Niagara District Secondary School, where her parents Bill and Susan were both teachers. READ THE STORY HERE

King Street apartment developer wins land tribunal hearing

Commenting that the proposal constitutes "good land planning:, Kenneth R. Andrews of the Ontario Land Tribunal makes it possible for a proposal by Josh Bice to build a three-story apartment building on King Street to move forward, despite counci arguing that the property should remain under its current designation for low-density housing. READ THE STORY HERE

NOTL councillors vote themselves a raise

A motion from Coun. Wendy Cheropita was brought forward and approved Tuesday outlining what elected municipal officials in Niagara’s 12 lower-tier municipalities earn annually. Cheropita’s motion asked that this be increased to $20,000 from the current $16,208 annually, which adds up to a total increase of about $30,000 when the salaries of all eight councillors are increased. READ THE STORY HERE

NOTL local Jenny Wright advocating for Palestinian family reunification

Shaw ensemble member and NOTL resident Jenny Wright is helping Maysaa Shat, a St. Catharines resident, bring her family to Canada from the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Wright first met met Shat at a peace rally in Niagara Falls and they soon became fast friends. She later discovered her friend was trying to bring her five nieces and nephews aged between six months old to seven years old to Canada. READ THE STORY HERE. 

Solmar witness knocks down access alternatives, to the dismay of neighbours

The Ontario Land Tribunal hearing on the proposed Rand Estate development entered its fourth week. Mark Flowers, counsel for Solmar Development, said that the access location at 200 John St., is the preferred channel into the proposed subdivision, even though there could be other options.  READ THE STORY HERE

Some residents still miffed about outdoor pickleball courts

Council approveD the minutes of the April 16 Committee of the Whole meeting at Tuesday's council meeting, opening the door for Virgil's outdoor pickleball courts to be opened to the public June 17. At least one resident of Lambert's Walk fears the noise, despite the addition of sound barriers to come between now and then, will make her life in the condominium complex unbearable. READ THE STORY HERE

NOTL Wolves hand out annual hockey awards

Seven awards distributed on Monday by the NOTL Wolves Minor Hockey Association at the Centennial Arena in Virgil included the new VBA Scholarship Award and the James Berg Memorial Scholarship Award, both going to graduating NOTL Wolves players. READ THE STORY HERE