At year’s end, news outlets have long reviewed the previous 12 months with lists of “top” stories, but on what basis is one report more important than another?
For 2017, YourArlington avoids such subjective “grading.” Here are the site’s top-50 reports of news and opinion based on how many times each was viewed, as recorded by the site host’s server. The number of total hits, as recorded Dec. 29, 2017, is to the right of the ranking.
Note: The top story — that of a Minuteman cyclist this summer who ignored a police plea to stop and then ran into another officer — was really two stories.
In addition, one could argue that the year’s top ongoing story in terms of hits for all reports was that of the Rev. Nicholas Kastanas, the longtime priest at St. Athanasius who was removed last July. That total, including two stories in the footnote, is 14,258.
Overall, the listing below reflects the wide variety of news and opinion that draws Arlington residents — from Patriots Day (see No. 2) to a popular review (No. 3) to the Town Election (4) to the “sanctuary” issue (5) to the international film festival (6) to developer issues (7) to Town Day (8).
No. 1. 10,382: Minuteman cyclist charged after police say he fled, collided with officer (7,606) Cyclist says bikeway charges dropped (3,776)
No. 2. 6,130 (opinion): How this year’s Patriots Day Parade looked to me
No. 3. 6,078 (opinion): Review: Bistro Duet serves an escapade of French delights
No. 4. 5,815: Town elects new treasurer, 7 incumbents in sleet-chilled turnout
No. 5. 5,329: Sanctuary-town resolution draws decided public support
No. 6. 4,952: 7th international film festival held at Capitol
No. 7. 4,667: Town board weighs Lanes & Games project
No. 8. 4,298: 2017 TOWN DAY held as gray cool turns to warm blue
No. 9. 4,293: Friedman wins nomination for 4th Middlesex state Senate seat
No. 10. 4,219: Is under-construction Washington St. home 4 stories or just 2 1/2?
No. 11. 3,971: Crazy for You tapped its way into Arlington High School
No. 12. 3,941: Earth Day volunteer cleanup at Greenway
No. 13. 3,935: 200 firefighters honor Donnelly at Town Hall before wake
No. 14. 3,913: AHS basketball tops MIAA Div. 2 Northh
No. 15. 3,825: SUPER 8 CHAMPS: In first title match, AHS hockey wins in OT, AHS hockey wins in OT
No. 16. 3,818 (opinion): To Greek church leaders: Get past social media, come together
No. 17. 3,558: Garballey launches campaign for Donnelly seat
No. 18. 3,509: Singer hit by falling tree while shielding 2-year-old
No. 19. 3,508: Middlesex senior cohousing discussion held
No. 20. 3,456: Cost to renovate Gibbs rioses by $2 million
No. 21. 3,452: At his last service, ‘Father Nick’ draws parishioners’ support
No. 22. 3,402: Schools’ assistant super here until June before leading Groton-Dunstable
No. 23. 3,357: VIDEO: Subject of ‘Becoming Nicole’ addresses Arlington Reads kickoff
No. 24. 3,317: Evolution of prosecution discussed
No. 25. 3,254: 16th fund-raiser for affordable housing held
No. 26. 3,224: More unions, female reps endorse Garballey
No. 27. 3,138: Open House series on engagement, democracy concludes
No. 28. 3,132: Bodie sketches plan to address possible delay in Thompson addition
No. 29. 3,024: From screen to stage: AFD’s The Graduate on stage in May
No. 30. 3,023: 2017 annual spring Town Meeting information
No. 31. 3,076: Anonymous donor offers $25,000 challenge grant for ACA fund
No. 32. 3,072: Church says resistant priest hid fund; defender explains why
No. 33. 3,042: Cocaine valued at $30,000 seized as Arlington pair held
No. 34. 2,998: Fifth annual Arlington Alive! Held
No, 35. 2,980: Bodie’s budget allots $1M for special-ed costs, seeks several half-time principals
No. 36. 2,976: State champ Ponder hockey squad scores an honor at home
No. 37. 2,926: 400 hear three state Senate hopefuls express liberal positions
No. 38. 2,922: Uncle Sam Plaza wants YOU: Visitor center lays out plans
No. 39. 2,875: Burning for history: ’67 AHS hockey team honored
No. 40. 2,859: STATE OF TOWN: Healthy, but U.S. ills loom
No. 41. 2,836: Bodie names her standout candidate to lead former Gibbs
No. 42. 2,835: Report offers way to cover higher cost for former Gibbs renovation
No. 43. 2,779: Arts center tops $25K challenge, issues new goal for June
No, 44. 2,762: Town Meeting session 5: Strong support for ‘sanctuary’ resolution
No. 45. 2,757: Heights sweet spot changes it name (and nothing else)
No. 46. 2,751: ‘Queen of Carbon,’ pushed for women in science, dies at 86
No. 47. 2,690: Oosting just keeps running, and now he’s a national champ
No. 48. 2,688: Now here’s a yarn: Ripples of peace to flow out on bikeway
No. 49. 2,678: SANCTUARY STATUS: Selectmen move town discussion forward
No. 50. 2,657: (opinion): These residents oppose sanctuary resolution
FOOTNOTE:
2,266: Supporter seeking to return ‘Father Nick’ lays out way forward
1,650: Parishioners protest in public after celebrating in private
This listing with comments was was published Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, and updated Jan. 2, to add ACMi 2017 review.
