B-P makeup wiz wins gold medal; Dighton police to wear body cameras: Our top stories

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:

The planned restaurant at the Taunton Municipal Airport would offer diners a view of planes landing and taking off. Airport officials hope that pilots and residents alike will enjoy the space, which will be in a new administration building that is under construction. Check out everything that's being planned, right here.

In the latest Women of Taunton, we take a look at the life of Elsa Lorimer, who went on to grace the stage and appear in silent films. Though many American silent films have been lost to the ages, Lorimer's story hasn't entirely disappeared. Follow her journey, to see how she went from the Silver City to the silver screen.

With the spring season in the books, it's time to once again take a look at some standout local athletes, with the Taunton Daily Gazette's All-Scholastics. Some athletes rose above the rest to lead themselves and their team to success. Here are the 10 girls track and field athletes who have earned the honor of being named 2022 Taunton Daily Gazette All-Scholastics.

These were the Top 5 stories of the past week, according to Gazette readers:

B-P makeup wiz takes home gold in national competition

Our top story of the past week was about Tess Brunelle, who finished her senior year at Bristol-Plymouth with her diploma and a gold medal.

Brunelle, of Middleboro and a cosmetology student at B-P, traveled to Atlanta in June to compete in the National Skills USA Leadership and Skills Conference. She was a Skills USA winner at the school, district and state level, and she kept her winning streak intact with a gold medal showing at nationals.

She had to demonstrate her skills in a variety of categories, including a fantasy makeup theme, where she drew inspiration from Disney's "The Little Mermaid" to create a gold-medal worthy sea witch look.

A most fortunate soul: B-P makeup wiz wows with Little Mermaid fantasy, takes home gold on a national stage

Dighton police agree to wear body cameras

Officers with the Dighton Police Department will soon be wearing body cameras.

The department will receive 15 to 20 body-worn cameras, one for each officer and reserve officers as well, around September as a result of a memorandum of agreement selectmen recently reached with the Dighton police union.

See how the new program will roll out, right here.

New program: Dighton police agree to wear body cameras

Lakeville's Fred 'Candyman' Reagan is a cancer fundraising machine

Lakevillle resident Fred Reagan is closing in on selling 100,000 candy bars, in the name of fundraising for cancer research.

In October, Reagan will participate in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk for the 17th time, and later in the fall, he anticipates hitting a major milestone in his year-round Jimmy Fund Walk fundraiser, selling candy bars from Hilliards Chocolates in Easton. Reagan estimates he will surpass the 100,000 candy bars sold mark sometime in November.

He works out seven days a week, and says he stays sharp and stays fit by keeping busy.

Gazette Reporter Jon Haglof spoke with the "Candyman" about the personal stories that got him involved with working to help the Jimmy Fund.

100,000 bars sold: Lakeville's Fred 'Candyman' Reagan is a cancer fundraising machine. Here's why he does it.

Taunton pot shop almost halted again over letter found on desk

Future marijuana retailer HTC Trinity, LLC almost had its business plans brought to a screeching halt again after a recent argument with the Taunton City Council.

Back in November, city inspectors placed a stop-work order on the construction site. The company got in trouble when a subcontractor didn't get the message and continued work during this period, the owner said.

Owner and Taunton resident Kyra Fernandez, along with her lawyer, came before the City Council's Committee on Police and License on June 28 seeking a renewal for the business license for HTC Trinity.

During the question portion of the hearing, Councilor John McCaul read a letter he said was left on his desk, which almost brought matters to another screeching halt. Committee members were visibly aggravated.

Update on HTC Trinity: Taunton pot shop almost halted — again — over letter found on desk

Massive overhaul plans underway for Route 44

Traffic on Route 44, you either hate it, or you hate it.

Thankfully, there could soon be some improvements.

There are big plans underway that are intended to enhance Route 44's connection with downtown Taunton as well as improve traveling conditions for commuters and pedestrians.

The project, overseen by MassDOT, is estimated to cost $25 million, and will widen and make safer the roughly one-mile stretch of road on Route 44/Dean Street between Route 104/South Main Street and the intersection of Arlington Street.

Changes planned: Have you ever been stuck on Route 44 in Taunton? Massive overhaul is on the way.

See what's in the works, and how long you can expect the road work to last.

Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton Gazette Top 5 Tess Brunelle police bodycams Jimmy Fund