Big changes coming to Route 79; Azores program seeks digital workers: Top stories
As we prepare to kick off a new week, let's take a look back at the week that was.
With the winter season kicking off for local sports, coaches, athletes and fans are all geared up for some great games. Here’s a look at area standouts ready to make headlines in track and field, swimming, wrestling and gymnastic this winter season.
Missing Link BBQ is ended 2022 with another exciting step in the journey its taken this year: finding an unexpected place to call home. Co-owners Doug Moniz, manager, and Tom Lyon, chef, first introduced local foodies to their classic Texas-style barbecue with a contemporary New England flair this past summer. Since then, they've hit the road with their food trailer "Rosie." Now, they're setting up shop in not just a train car, but THE train car.
These were the most read stories of the week on HeraldNews.com:
Big changes are coming to Route 79 in Fall River
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held this past week to kick off the much-anticipated $135 million Route 79 and Davol Street Corridor Improvement project. The groundbreaking was led by outgoing Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and other state and local leaders at the City Pier.
The MassDOT project will transform the Route 79 corridor from Central Street near Battleship Cove to the Veterans Memorial Bridge by demolishing the four-lane elevated portion of the waterfront highway and creating an urban boulevard.
Urban boulevard:Big changes are coming to Route 79 in Fall River. Here's what to expect.
Azorean government creating 'DNA Azores' program to attract digital nomads
Are you lucky enough to be able to work from home, or while traveling?
How about traveling to a new home you can work from?
The Azorean government announced recently that “DNA Azores,” a program aimed at attracting digital nomads to the Mid-Atlantic archipelago, is expected to come into full force during the first half of 2023.
Workers are especially encouraged to work from the islands of São Jorge, Faial, Pico, Flores, Graciosa, Santa Maria and Corvo, during the quiet seasons on those islands. Learn more about the program, right here.
An island of one's own:Azorean government creating “DNA Azores” program to attract digital nomads
Bring your kids, dogs: Why personalized service is so important at this Swansea train shop
Bill Mason, 86, who runs Country Train Depot in Swansea, won't be putting the brakes on his train business anytime soon.
“I can’t quit on my customers,” Mason said. “My customers have been with me for 33 years. And I’ve always worked for myself, since I was 10 years old. I’ve never worked for anybody. My loyalty to my customers, they deserve it because they’ve been loyal to me.
“And I can’t close up and sit around and not do anything and not meet my friends and customers anymore. And help them with their children, their grandchildren. And I’m into third and fourth generation of some people.”
Bring your kids, dogs:Why personalized service is so important at this Swansea train shop
Massive Fall River apartment proposal runs into a snag
Despite a slightly scaled back multi-unit housing proposal by developers looking to build an 11-story, nearly 300-unit apartment complex on Weaver Street, the Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals has rejected their applications for variances and special permits.
Developers Abbott and Farnham LLC of Rye, New Hampshire, first applied for a variance seeking waivers for the $50 million proposal for side, rear and front yard setbacks, the allowed building height from six floors to 14 floors, as well as a waiver for the required number of parking spaces at the site back in May.
The property at 100 Weaver St., on a little more than two acres, is in a commercial historic mill district zone.
Development news:A massive Fall River apartment proposal runs into a snag. Here's what's holding it up now.
Two major school building projects set to break ground in 2023
Two area school building projects that have been in the works for years are finally set to break ground in the first half of 2023.
Pre-construction work is beginning on a new school building for Somerset Middle School, and construction on the new Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School is also tentatively scheduled to begin this spring.
Here's where both projects currently stand.
Work ramping up:Two major school building projects set to break ground in 2023 — here's where they stand
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 Herald News: Herald News Top 5 Route 79 DNA Azores Country Train Depot Weaver
