Beatles tribute band off to Liverpool; sports betting in Raynham: Top Taunton stories

Kristina Fontes, The Taunton Daily Gazette
·4 min read

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:

Lots of business buzz this past week! First up, a proposed FedEx facility where the Silver City Galleria mall used to be. The proposed facility would cost $165 million and create 150 new jobs for the local economy, and we took a look at what the plan is for the space. Then, it looks as if the former Reed & Barton building could soon be bustling once more: The Taunton City Council unanimously approved a special permit for Medicine Man Solutions to operate a marijuana manufacturing and delivery service in a section of the former sprawling facility. Take a look here at what comes next.

We also celebrated some excellence in local sports, with more of the Taunton Daily Gazette's All-Scholastics picks. With one local team being crowned state champions, it certainly was an eventful baseball season: meet the 2022 Taunton Daily Gazette Baseball All-Scholastics, right here. Likewise, local softball also enjoyed a championship season, with Taunton earning its second straight Division I state title. Meet the 2022 Taunton Daily Gazette Softball All-Scholastics, right here.

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

Local Beatles tribute band invited to perform at Liverpool Beatleweek

The Star Club, a local Beatles tribute band, has got a ticket to ride, straight to the 36th annual International Beatlesweek Festival.

Local Beatles tribute band The Star Club will perform at the International Beatlesweek Festival in August. They are, from left, Patrick Foley of Taunton, Bob Boyer of New Bedford, Ian Motha of South Dartmouth, and Keith Silvia of Freetown.
Local Beatles tribute band The Star Club will perform at the International Beatlesweek Festival in August. They are, from left, Patrick Foley of Taunton, Bob Boyer of New Bedford, Ian Motha of South Dartmouth, and Keith Silvia of Freetown.

They'll be playing a "sendoff" show at the District Center for the Arts on Aug. 20 before heading across the pond to Liverpool. For the band, which formed in 2020, the chance to play at the festival is "a dream come true."

'A dream come true': Local Beatles tribute band invited to perform at Liverpool Beatleweek

See where they'll fit into the line-up for the festival, and check out their catalog, right here.

How sports betting will bring 'new life' to Raynham Park

With state lawmakers approving sports betting legislation, Raynham Park co-owner Chris Carney said the move "means new life" for the former dog track.

Carney said a new retail and simulcasting center would be constructed at Raynham Park for people to cast bets.

Preliminary construction has begun on a new simulcasting center at Raynham Park.
Preliminary construction has begun on a new simulcasting center at Raynham Park.

Learn more about what the legislation entails, and what else Carney has planned for revitalizing Raynham Park.

Making plans: MA lawmakers OK'd sports betting. Here's how it will bring 'new life' to Raynham Park.

Rehoboth voters shoot down move to withdraw K-8 from D-R

Rehoboth town voters overwhelmingly defeated a move to withdraw Rehoboth's kindergarten through eighth grade students from the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District.

With 70% of the 520 residents present at the Aug. 6 Special Town Meeting voting against the proposal, the outcome was met with applause.

'I'm elated': Rehoboth voters shoot down move to withdraw K-8 from D-R

Taunton could be getting 36-unit condo building with gym and roof lounge

A single-family home on Winter Street could be replaced with a condominium complex, under a proposal by Joseph Peixoto of North Dighton, principal owner of JLJ, LLC.

Proposed condominium complex at 122 Winter Street
Proposed condominium complex at 122 Winter Street

Peixoto’s attorney Joseph DeSousa said the four-story complex would consist of 36 units.

Plans for the complex include a gym, a gaming room, and a roof lounge. Take a look.

In the works: Taunton could be getting 36-unit condo building with gym and roof lounge

Taunton Then and Now: City's industrial heyday and a history of Winthrop St. Baptist Church

In the latest Taunton Then and Now, we took a look at the intersection of home and work, with how some mills from around the city have transformed since Taunton's 19th-century industrial heyday.

We also explored some of the history of the Winthrop Street Baptist Church, whose roots can be traced all the way back to the 18th-century.

The Winthrop Street Baptist Church with its original steeple, seen in this image dated 1899 by Albert L. Ward.
The Winthrop Street Baptist Church with its original steeple, seen in this image dated 1899 by Albert L. Ward.

Join us on a journey through local history, as we explore Taunton, then and now.

Taunton Then and Now: City's industrial heyday and a history of Winthrop St. Baptist Church

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 top stories: Star Club The Beatles, sports betting, D-R vote