Dighton opens cannabis dispensary; B-P grad off to the Ivy League: 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.

Our top story of the past week was about 1 Connection, Dighton's first cannabis dispensary, which is now open for business.

Other top stories included:

A case manager for the Samaritan House homeless shelter resigning his position. Paul McCarty said he resigned because the admission of intoxicated people into Samaritan House's limited space prevented more sober homeless people from staying at the facility and receiving guidance about employment or housing. Catholic Social Services CEO Susan Mazzarella said the Samaritan House must accept intoxicated people because it's defined as an emergency shelter under state law. Taunton Gazette Reporter Ed Baker has the story here.

Taunton making plans for the future we are all facing with climate change and its effects. The potential problems the city could face are being taken seriously, and over the last few years Taunton has been working on two separate emergency management assessments, for purposes of planning for the worst.

With Memorial Day approaching on Monday, the Greater Taunton area has observances, ceremonies and parades planned to honor those in the armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Here's a look at how Greater Taunton is planning to honor the fallen.

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

Dighton opens first cannabis dispensary

Dighton's first cannabis dispensary, 1 Connection, is officially open for business.

Right now, the products on offer are for recreational use, but there are plans in the works for a cultivation and manufacturing facility. Selling cannabis for medical use can't start at 1 Connection until the grow facility and kitchen are operational.

For the team at 1 Connection, their top priority is in the name of their business: forging a connection with their customers.

The staff at 1Connection North Dighton.
The staff at 1Connection North Dighton.

Take a tour of the facility and get to know the team behind 1 Connection.

'A great asset for the town': Dighton's first cannabis dispensary 1 Connection opens

From Bristol-Plymouth to the Ivy League

Landon Him of Berkley may not have had a swim team at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School, but he was still recruited to join the Big Green at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire this fall.

He committed early to Dartmouth; he'll be double majoring in engineering and economics during his time there.

Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School senior Landon Him of Berkley will be attending Dartmouth College in New Hampshire this fall.
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School senior Landon Him of Berkley will be attending Dartmouth College in New Hampshire this fall.

He's been swimming since he was 8, when he started taking lessons at the Old Colony YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro South in Taunton.

Dive into his journey from the YMCA to Dartmouth College, here.

On to Division 1: Meet Landon Him, Bristol-Plymouth's only 2022 graduate headed to an Ivy League university

Downtown seating plaza: Good or bad for business?

A new, temporary outdoor seating plaza opened last weekend on Taunton Green, coinciding with the second annual Downtown Art Jam.

Mayor Shaunna O'Connell said the city created the space to strengthen businesses and give people a place to relax.

A temporary seating plaza has been created near Taunton Green to attract people to visit nearby restaurants and businesses.
A temporary seating plaza has been created near Taunton Green to attract people to visit nearby restaurants and businesses.

The installation has caused some, including nearby business owners, to raise parking and safety concerns.

Read all about it, right here.

A place to sit downtown: Taunton seating plaza is supposed to be good for business — some aren't so sure

A trip through Taunton's past and present

As much as some things can change in a city of Taunton’s size over time, it’s remarkable how much can also remain the same.

There might have been horses outside at City Hall Square during the 19th century, but the view remains fairly similar to what it is in 2022.
There might have been horses outside at City Hall Square during the 19th century, but the view remains fairly similar to what it is in 2022.

Though industry has transformed the face of our city many times over, there are still traces of what came before.

The view from City Hall Square in 2022.
The view from City Hall Square in 2022.

On the other hand, some places in Taunton have stood the test of time.

Let’s see what’s changed, and what hasn’t, as we take another tour through Taunton, Then and Now.

Taunton Then and Now: Some of the city's past still visible in the 21st century

Taunton-area tribute band pays homage to Tom Petty

The Breakers, a Tom Petty tribute band of local musicians, will be performing at the Cape Cod Melody Tent on June 11.

The Breakers, a Tom Petty tribute band of local musicians, will be performing at the Cape Cod Melody Tent on June 11.
The Breakers, a Tom Petty tribute band of local musicians, will be performing at the Cape Cod Melody Tent on June 11.

It wasn't exactly a free fallin' effort (c'mon, we had to say it), but once the band got together, they were ready to make some music and honor the late Petty.

The Breakers: You got lucky with this Taunton-area tribute band if you love Tom Petty

See how they got this show on the road.

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 stories: Dighton cannabis dispensary, Landon Him, outdoor dining