Top stories: South Coast Rail is finally running. What's faster: train or car?
As we kick off a new week, let's take a look back at the week that was.
Top stories this past week included:
South Coast Rail's first weekend: What's the schedule? What apps do you need? What to know.
Are local government and school board meetings getting too long, or is it democracy at work? Some say limits are needed.
A look at this weekend's 12th annual Herren Shootout.
Kevin Snyder recently retired after 23 seasons as head coach of the Somerset Berkley co-op ice hockey team, and he got a surprise at his retirement party.
Fall River's Spencer Borden school honored beloved crossing guard Peggy McGowan. On Wednesday, the school unveiled a plaque in McGowan's honor mounted on the corner she manned every morning and afternoon.
B.M.C. Durfee High School will host a multicultural celebration of music and food on April 3.
Fall River is seeking input on the latest designs for a skate park coming soon to the Flint.
Things To Do took a look at how you can have lunch on board the USS Massachusetts.
Swansea wants to redevelop Wilbur Avenue, and needs your input: How to join the planning.
Tackle your reading list: Check out these book clubs at Fall River-area libraries.
Fall River is a step closer to demolishing the old Bedford Street police station.
White's of Westport will be hosting a breakfast buffet featuring a meet-and-greet with Bluey.
The latest Greater Fall River real estate report, featuring a bungalow-style home in Tiverton that sold for $750,000. The newly-built home on Old Farm Lane features a gourmet kitchen, a primary suite with a walk-in closet and an en-suite bath, a full walk-out basement, and an expansive backyard. Check out this property, as well as other recent top-sellers.
These were the most read stories of the week on HeraldNews.com:
After a decades-long wait, South Coast Rail passenger service began this past week.
The Fall River/New Bedford Line extends from Boston south to Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford, connecting the SouthCoast's three largest cities to the state capital by train for the first time since 1958.
Here's how the launch went, and what excited passengers had to say on Day One.
All aboard to Boston: South Coast Rail is finally running after 34 years
Aboard an MBTA commuter rail train from Fall River on its first day of service, General Manager Phil Eng told passengers the ride from Fall River to Boston is "definitely faster than driving.'
Is it?
Transit advocates have long suggested that commuter rail service from Fall River would be overall faster than driving, so we decided to put it to the test.
One reporter took the commuter rail, and one drove: who got to South Station the fastest and safest?
It's a race: MBTA train vs. car from Fall River to Boston. Which is faster and better?
Fall River's iconic North End restaurant, Roger's Coney Island Hot Dogs, closed recently, but there is good news for dismayed Roger's enthusiasts:
It's coming back!
There's new ownership, and they've made some fun changes, like a Red Sox-themed menu.
Opening day is set for Monday: Learn more, here.
Game on: Roger's diner in Fall River reopening next week with Red Sox-themed menu
Duke's Bakery and Cafe has branched out with a new venture: a food truck featuring their chicken and waffles.
Their new permanently-placed food truck, Duke's Chicken 'n' Waffles, made its debut this past week.
This is the first in what could be a national franchise too, thanks to a franchise partnership with a group led by one of the original sharks from ABC reality TV show 'Shark Tank.'
Learn more about Duke's Chicken 'n' Waffles, here, and take a peek at the menu, here.
New food truck: Duke's Chicken 'n' Waffles food truck opens — and could see national franchises
On the menu: Duke's Chicken 'n' Waffles food truck is open. Check out the menu and Southern fare here.
An application for a multi-family home at the corner of Ninth and Bedford streets earned unanimous approval from Fall River's Zoning Board of Appeals at the Thursday, March 20, meeting to convert two ground-level commercial spaces into four new 1-bedroom apartments.
This is what we know so far.
ZBA approval: Bedford Street multifamily gets OK to open 4 new apartments close to Fall River's downtown
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Top stories: South Coast Rail is running. What's faster: train or car?
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Diddy trial live updates: Combs allegedly held woman over balcony, threw knife at Cassie
This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. A witness in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex-crimes trial testified that he dangled her over a 17-story balcony and threatened to kill her, adding to the mounting allegations of physical, sexual and emotional abuse against the former hip-hop mogul. "'I'm the devil, and I could kill you," Combs allegedly told Bryana "Bana" Bongolan, a friend of his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura Fine. The testimony comes after the jury heard from Eddy Garcia, a former security officer at a Los Angeles-area hotel where Combs was captured on surveillance video beating Ventura Fine during a 2016 altercation. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. Garcia told the court on June 3 that Combs paid $100,000 for a copy of the video, which showed him kicking, hitting and dragging Cassie in the hallway of the InterContinental Hotel. 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She added that she wasn't sure why Combs said that to her – or what prompted his alleged rage. Bongolan testified further about the September 2016 incident in which Combs allegedly dangled her over a balcony. She said she was sleeping in Ventura Fine's apartment, and Cassie and Bongolan's ex-girlfriend were also there. Bongolan recalled waking up to "very loud" banging on the door and rushing her ex-girlfriend to the bathroom, as she did not 'want to expose her." Then, she said she went to the balcony so she could "act casual and look for a blunt." Combs came up from behind her and 'lifted me up and put me on top of the rail,' Bongolan told prosecutors. She said she was 'scared'' and 'trying not to slip' while pushing back on Combs. 'For a split second, I was thinking I was going to fall,' she said. Combs allegedly told Bongolan she knew what she did to deserve a punishment, but Bongolan said she still doesn't know what he meant. 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Later in the day, Cudi said Capricorn Clark, Combs' former assistant, called to let him know that Combs was inside Cudi's house. Read more here: What Kid Cudi revealed, from car explosion to his dog Diddy has seven children, six biological. Diddy had his first biological son, Justin Combs, with fashion designer and stylist Misa Hylton. Diddy adopted Quincy Brown, the son of ex-girlfriend and model Kimberly Porter, who died in 2018 after a battle with pneumonia. The former couple also shared three other children: son Christian "King" Combs and twin daughters D'Lila and Jessie Combs. Diddy has another daughter, Chance Combs, whom he shares with businesswoman Sarah Chapman. His seventh and last child, daughter Love Sean Combs, was born in October 2022 with model and cybersecurity specialist Dana Tran. Garcia testified on June 3 that he was concerned about being in legal trouble for giving the video to Combs, particularly if Ventura Fine filed a police report. The former security guard also said Combs told him he "didn't have to worry about it" because she "wanted it gone too." Garcia recalled that Combs asked for his ID, along with information from other security officers on the scene. He asked Garcia to sign a non-disclosure agreement and another document stating he'd provided the only copy of the video. After Garcia signed the documents, he said Combs brought him $100,000 in a paper bag. Combs asked how he would spend the money, and allegedly advised him not to "make any big purchases." Garcia said he gave $50,000 to his boss, Bill Medrano, $22,000 to the other officer and kept $30,000 for himself. The court saw on June 3 bank statements that seemingly confirmed Ventura Fine's parents wired money to Bad Boy in December 2011 to prevent Combs from leaking tapes of her having sex in his alleged "freak offs." The statements showed an outgoing wire transfer to Ventura Fine on Dec. 14, 2011, followed by a transfer from Ventura Fine to Bad Boy on Dec. 23, 2011. Days later, those funds were returned to sender from Bad Boy. Ventura Fine's mother, Regina Ventura, previously testified that she was told she needed to wire Combs $20,000 after he threatened to release the tapes of Ventura Fine. She said she "was scared for my daughter's safety" and was ordered to "pay Sean Combs because he demanded it." Discover WITNESS: Access our exclusive collection of true crime stories, podcasts, videos and more No, despite recently handing down a flurry of pardons, including one for reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, Trump did not include Combs on that list. But that doesn't mean he can't. According to Michigan State law professor Brian Kalt, Trump would be within his presidential rights to extend a preemptive pardon to Combs. "These are federal charges so that's the main limit," Kalt tells USA TODAY. "The matter has (to) be federal, it has to be criminal vs. civil, and related to something that's already been done. But the person doesn't have to even be charged yet or convicted. The Supreme Court has said preemptive pardons are OK." When asked about a possible pardon during an Oval Office press conference on May 30, Trump said he hadn't been approached about the legal matter but added, "I know people are thinking about it." 50 Cent is looking to give President Trump his two cents about Combs. In an Instagram post on May 30, the "In da Club" emcee said he would reach out to Trump after the president said he would "look at the facts" in Combs' case, suggesting a pardon could be on the table. The rapper shared a clip of the president's comments in his post and wrote that Combs "said some really bad things about Trump," adding that he will "reach out so he knows how I feel about this guy." Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all five counts against him. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Sign up for our newsletter for more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Woman says Diddy held her over balcony, details drug use: Live updates
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'Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller Slams L.A. Hospital For Leaving Object In Her After 2020 Surgery
Abby Lee Miller has sued a prominent Los Angeles-area hospital for malpractice, accusing them of failing to honor a proper duty of care. The former "Dance Moms" star filed a legal complaint against Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital and two of the facility's doctors for leaving a foreign object inside her body during a 2020 operation. According to Abby Lee Miller, she felt that following the surgery, the hospital and its medical practitioners did not listen to her concerns. Her issues with the famous facility come years after battling a long list of health problems. In her legal complaint against Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital, Miller revealed she underwent a spine surgery five years ago. She noted two doctors were in charge of the operation, and everything seemed fine until she noticed concerning symptoms. Miller claimed she experienced abdominal pain and discomfort, but her complaints were allegedly brushed off by multiple doctors, including the two responsible for her surgery. She continued to endure the intense symptoms until one of her medical reps decided to perform a CT scan. The scan, per Miller, revealed a "retained catheter" had been left inside her body after the spine operation. On that note, she sued the hospital and the two doctors involved for medical negligence, professional negligence, medical battery, and more. She also asked for at least $1.4 million in damages, per TMZ. A spokesperson for Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital addressed the lawsuit in a statement to the outlet, claiming the medical facility could not comment on pending legal matters or share details about a patient's medical treatment. Although the facility could not address Miller's lawsuit, the representative claimed that the hospital has always prioritized its patients' wellbeing and never dabbled in malpractice. "We are dedicated to ensuring that we meet the highest standards of care for all those we serve," the spokesperson said. The legal drama between the hospital and Miller follows various medical issues. Woman's Day covered the media personality's health struggles, reporting that she underwent a gastric bypass surgery in 2017 to increase the results of her weight loss journey. Miller became focused on shedding the extra pounds in 2015 after a diabetes diagnosis. A month after the gastric bypass surgery, Miller was found guilty of bankruptcy fraud and was sentenced to one year in prison. However, her failing health allowed her to be released eight months later, and she regained her freedom with a new body. Miller reportedly lost 100 pounds during her time in prison, and she declared that she was no longer diabetic after prison doctors discontinued her diabetes medication. In April 2018, she was rushed to the hospital for an unknown thyroid condition that later left her paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors initially performed an emergency surgery, believing she had a spinal infection, but she was eventually diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma. The rare but aggressive type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma needed 10 rounds of chemotherapy and months of rehabilitation before Miller was declared cancer-free in 2019. However, she needed to use an electric wheelchair to move. Although her health problems were significant, Miller was more disheartened by her time behind bars for bankruptcy fraud. In 2022, The Blast covered her reaction to those who abandoned her in her time of need. The media personality slammed her former co-stars from "Dance Moms," claiming the parents of the children she coached did not support her throughout her incarceration. She condemned their actions as ingratitude, saying: "Shame on you after what I did for you, for your children…helped make you a lot of money. You couldn't come to visit me for eight and a half months?" According to Miller, she received tons of letters from children in other countries, yet not a single message came from the families she helped rise to fame. She slammed them for using her as a stepping stone, claiming they wouldn't have made it without her. Miller's medical negligence lawsuit against Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital isn't the first time she has sued a Los Angeles-area facility for improper care. In 2022, she filed a legal complaint against a hotel in L.A. called Hampton Inn and Suites and requested that they pay over $20 million in damages. The choreographer claimed she suffered emotional and physical injuries during her stay at the hotel in March 2020. She noted her room's sliding bathroom door crashed on her head while attempting to free her wheelchair, which got caught under it. Miller alleged the "300+ pound door" pinned her down for six to twelve minutes before the hotel's staff heard her cries for help. She was rushed to the hospital for treatment and blamed the hotel for delaying her healing from a previous cancer surgery. Will Abby Lee Miller emerge victorious in her lawsuit against Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital?