Couture Kreations to expand; City Council working on budget process: Top 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:

The Taunton Police Department holding a public tour of the station. The tour was conducted ahead of an April 29 vote on a $67.7 million Proposition 2 ½ debt exclusion to fund the lion's share of a new public safety complex to house police and fire. Take a virtual tour of the current police station, here.

A look at Sarcastic Swine BBQ's new Middleboro location. They're bringing the bbq their customers know and love to their new spot in the Capeway Convenience Store at 578 Wareham St. See what's on the menu, and how they're planning to expand.

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

How crafty Berkley 'tumbler girl' took her trendy merch home biz to next level

Couture Kreations, Kylee Salva's one-woman enterprise, has amassed a formidable following and client base.

Salva, of Berkley, helps businesses grow their brand through custom merchandise. She does so primarily through custom drinkware, like tumblers, mugs and drink sleeves, although she says the sky's the limit.

Kylee Salva of Berkley shows off her finished tumblers for Couture Kreations in her current basement workspace.
Kylee Salva of Berkley shows off her finished tumblers for Couture Kreations in her current basement workspace.

She's come a long way in a short time, and she's ready to take her business to the next level, with expansion plans in the works very soon.

Couture Kreations:How crafty Berkley 'tumbler girl' took her trendy merch home biz to next level

Taunton love story transports readers back to Camp Myles Standish in the 1940s

Local author Kerrin Willis has a new book out, with a love story that spans decades.

And it's set right here in Taunton.

“Strange Arithmetic" is set in the Taunton of the 1940s, and at Camp Myles Standish, the local embarkation camp that processed more than 1 million servicemen during the war.

The book cover for "Strange Arithmetic," by Taunton author Kerrin Willis, out March 21, 2023.
The book cover for "Strange Arithmetic," by Taunton author Kerrin Willis, out March 21, 2023.

The novel is packed with poignancy, and local history, not to mention meticulous research.

Read all about it here, and see what Willis has in the works next.

Kerrin Willis novel set in Taunton:Taunton love story transports readers back to Camp Myles Standish in the 1940s

What's Taunton Council doing to make sure 100% raises don't slip past them again?

In response to the controversy surrounding the City Council's admitting to unknowingly doubling the stipends for the Taunton School Committee last fiscal year, councilors are now adamant in preventing this from happening again in the form of a special ordinance.

The Committee on Finances and Salaries on March 14 proposed that, going forward during annual departmental budget discussions, stipends specifically be included in all budget proposals given to Council. This requirement would be for all members of boards and committees who receive stipends.

There will be changes made to the budgeting process as well.

City Council:What's Taunton Council doing to make sure 100% raises don't slip past them again?

Meet the 2023 winners of the Dave Cowens Achievement Awards

The 39th Dave Cowens Achievement Awards were held at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, celebrating the accomplishments of Southeastern Mass. boys and girls high school senior basketball players who best represent the drive to do their best both on and off the court.

Out of a pool of 31 nominees, 18 boys and 13 girls, Bishop Stang's Bridget Markey and Old Rochester's Liam Geraghty were chosen as this year's Dave Cowens Achievement Award winners.

2023 Dave Cowens Girls & Boys Award Winners, Bishop Stang's Bridget Markey and Old Rochester's Liam Geraghty.
2023 Dave Cowens Girls & Boys Award Winners, Bishop Stang's Bridget Markey and Old Rochester's Liam Geraghty.

Get to know the winners better, right here.

Outstanding local student athletes:Meet the 2023 winners of the Dave Cowens Achievement Awards

A Freetown mom who used a false name to test school security is running for school board

The Freetown mother who provided false names to enter schools in the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District in order to test out their security levels — and then publicly scolded the district because she was let in and left free to roam the buildings — is running for a spot on the district's School Committee.

Kayla Churchill is one of three School Committee candidates running for two seats designated for Freetown resident members, according to information from the Freetown Town Clerk's Office. She is a challenger to two incumbent candidates for reelection: Robert Clark and Jennifer Blum.

Kayla Churchill, of Freetown, is a candidate in the race for a seat on the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee in next month's local elections. The Freetown mother made headlines in November when she allegedly tried to enter several school buildings in the district by providing a false name and reasons for being there. According to interviews Churchill did with media outlets at the time, those actions were an attempt to test the integrity of school security after she'd grown concerned it might be lacking.

Charges related to the school incident were filed against Churchill.

Facing charges:A Freetown mom who used a false name to test school security is running for school board

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 Couture Kreations Kerrin Willis City Council