Top 5 Stories of the Week on Newtown Patch

About this column: MIA from Patch this week? No problem, here were five of the most-read stories.

Monday: The day before the budget vote, town leaders offered their thoughts on the budget's strengths and what they would have revisited if time had allowed.

Tuesday: Newtown's municipal and education budgets both failed at the polls, and officials plan to regroup and prepare for the next budget referendum.

Tuesday: Newtown residents -- including families of those who died in the Dec. 14 shooting -- sent love to Boston after the town experienced its own tragedy at the Boston Marathon.

Thursday: Sandy Hook merchants looked forward to a Spring Fling that took place Saturday, hoping it would draw new customers and regulars alike to the neighborhood's business district.

Friday: for the Sandy Hook School project.