Top stories: South Coast Rail arrives; free trees for Taunton residents, businesses
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:
Richard Blanchette, 20, of Middleboro died last Thursday in a Massachusetts hospital as a result of his injuries from the crash on Somerset Avenue on Tuesday, March 18, District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn, III said in a written statement. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, as of this writing.
Republican Larry Quintal, a Taunton City Councilor and co-owner of Silva Funeral Home, has pulled papers to run for Carol Doherty's old state representative seat.
Taunton High School's Tiger Shack and Tiger Café have earned gold level certification from DECA's school-based enterprise (SBE) program for the 2024-2025 school year.
Greater Taunton area softball players to watch this spring. Plus: Greater Taunton area boys volleyball players to watch, and Greater Taunton area baseball players to watch.
The Falcons Wrestling Club sees growth both on and off the mat.
Mayor Shaunna O'Connell recently hosted Taunton's fourth annual Women's History Month celebration.
The Freetown Lakeville School Committee violated Massachusetts Open Meeting Law during a July 31, 2024 meeting, the Massachusetts Attorney General's office ruled in a March determination.
Harper Lane Brewery is planning a retro video game night.
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical High School has been awarded a $43,800 grant to support student mental health and wellness.
What will parking and traffic conditions be like once the Whittenton Mills housing project is built? What we know, as of this writing.
The latest Greater Taunton real estate report, featuring a remodeled Raynham home that sold for $862,000. The house on Adam Lane features a huge primary bedroom, an updated kitchen and bathrooms, a two-car garage, and a large front yard. Check out this property, as well as other recent top-sellers.
These were the Top 5 stories of the past week, according to Gazette readers:
After a decades-long wait, South Coast Rail has arrived, and the trains are running over at the East Taunton station.
There was a kick-off ceremony at the station on March 24, attended by officials from all over the region and beyond.
Here's what the arrival of train travel means for Taunton, as well as a look at parking, schedules, and more.
'A win for the region': South Coast Rail finally arrives. What it means for Taunton.
Ever thought about a bike trail from Taunton to Gillette Stadium?
That could be a possibility, if several proposed projects move forward.
Here's what we know about the projects.
Taunton to Gillette Stadium by bike?: Why that could be a possibility with new rail trail
Residents and businesses residing in central Taunton are eligible for free trees, and they don't even have to plant them: the trees will be planted for you.
Since 2022, Taunton has been part of a statewide green landscaping program, Greening the Gateway Cities, to increase the number of trees in urban residential areas for cities considered "gateway cities."
Here's how to find out if you live in a planting zone, and how to get a free tree.
Want a free tree?: How Taunton residents can get one. Bonus: someone will plant it for you
Raynham resident Inge Pustelnikas, 89, became homeless by age 9 in her native city of Konigsberg, which was left in ruin by the Soviet Russian offensive into Germany, in April 1945, towards the end of World War II.
She became separated from her surviving family, including her mother and siblings, as she was forced to beg daily for food and shelter.
With no alternatives, she and many other young survivors of the war in that region wandered into neighboring Lithuania, looking for any kindness from people, living day-to-day, trying not to starve, be imprisoned by the Russians, or freeze to death.
She did that for 15 years, and history has given a name for the thousands of orphans and homeless children like her: "Wolfskinder," which is German for "Wolf Children."
This is her story of survival.
Story of survival: Raynham woman's remarkable story of surviving as a 'German Wolf Child.' What it was like
In response to Gov. Maura Healey's recently announced "Energy Affordability Agenda," State Sen. Kelly Dooner has called out the governor and urged her administration to support legislation the senator filed.
This is a look at the governor's plan, and the legislation that Dooner filed.
'Breadcrumbs': Taunton senator blasts guv's $50 electricity credit. Here's Dooner's plan
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Top stories: South Coast Rail arrives; free trees for residents
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