Top stories: B-R families, teachers rally for school funds; Middleboro sues state

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09-03-2025

Before we begin the new week in earnest, we're taking a look back at the week that was, and the stories that led the news with Taunton Daily Gazette readers.
Top stories this past week included:
Advocates warn of rising homelessness; this is how Taunton is responding.
The MBTA posted the schedule for South Coast Rail: Here are the train times. Plus, here's how their free weekend rides will work.
In a letter to the Taunton City Council and city residents, Mayor Shaunna O'Connell said "staff have learned important lessons" following an incident when Coyle and Cassidy athletic memorabilia were thrown out following a flood in the former school's cafeteria building. Here's what the letter said.
In local sports, where you can catch all of the Greater Taunton area high school postseason action.
The Old Colony Highlanders Pipe Band will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a weekend of performances, including a pub crawl that will be passing through Taunton.
In the latest Taunton Eats, Kev's Ice Cream is open for the season.
Highlights — and the winner — of Taunton High's Mr. THS 2025.
The Dighton Police Department has welcomed a new officer and a part-time dispatcher.
The Taunton Performing Art Center's production of "Into the Woods" is bringing the hit musical to the Silver City: Here's how to catch it.
These were the Top 5 stories of the past week, according to Gazette readers:
Dozens of B-R parents and teachers rallied recently, for increased funding for the school district and in favor of Proposition 2½ overrides.
Bridgewater-Raynham Superintendent of Schools Ryan Powers is asking the towns for a 30.8% increase in funding for the upcoming school year to help bring down class sizes.
The towns are mulling upping their payments to the school district by a tiny fraction of that amount — by less than 5% — a figure that would leave the district millions of dollars short of even a level services budget, the superintendent said.
"We're out here asking, hopefully begging, the town for an override," said Bridgwater parent Christine Behnke at the rally. "We need to make sure that our schools are properly funded for the year."
Taunton Gazette Reporter Emma Rindlisbacher has the story.
'We are broke': B-R families, teachers hold rally 'begging' for override to fund schools
The town of Middleboro is suing the Commonwealth, Gov. Maura Healey, and the state's Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities over forced compliance with a controversial multi-family housing law the town said it's already in compliance with.
Taunton Gazette Reporter Daniel Schemer takes a look at what the town's saying, and what it wants.
'Gross misuse of power': Middleboro sues state over multi-family housing law. What town wants
The Starbucks that will be going into the former restaurant space at Rt.140/Mozzone Blvd. will be getting a neighbor:
Mad for Burgers, a brand-new burger place, will be joining it.
Jay Pateakos, executive director for Taunton's Office of Economic and Community Development, confirmed through social media that this burger restaurant will share the new building space that's being built.
Here's what we know, as of this writing.
Mad for Burgers: Burger place confirmed for spot next to new Starbucks. What we know.
New Creations Coffee, a mobile coffee business operating out of a vintage camper, is partnering with another local business, floral shop The Wild Dahlia, to set up space inside its building on South Street West in Raynham.
The café will be offering a variety of coffee, tea, and other beverages.
'Moving into a permanent location has been a dream of ours from the very start,' said Elizabeth Reichert, co-owner, who, along with her husband Alex, started this venture in late 2023.
These are the plans.
From camper to cafe: Raynham's mobile coffee purveyor opening a brick-and-mortar location
The former site of National Charter 957 on Taunton Green, connected to the Knotty Walk alley, will soon be home to a new restaurant.
22 Bar & Lounge is planning to open there in early spring.
Co-owner Richard Andrew, along with co-owner Zena Shivers, have planned for the space to offer both an uplifting environment and a laid-back, relaxed vibe.
Here's what's on the menu, and what the current opening plans are.
22 Bar & Lounge: New bar, restaurant to open in downtown Taunton, replacing Charter 957. What we know.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Top stories: B-R families, teachers rally for school funds