Local election results; new Miss Taunton crowned: 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:
Taunton officials are defending their decision to hire safety manager Ryan Turner, a former Wareham police officer who was charged with assaulting a 63-year-old man outside a Martha's Vineyard restaurant in 2019. An Edgartown police report says Turner was charged with assaulting the friend of a man who allegedly insulted Turner's 2-year-old niece. Turner declined to comment on the assault charge but said he welcomes the opportunity to serve his community; city officials, including Mayor Shaunna O'Connell are defending the decision to hire him.
The most recent top-selling property in Greater Taunton was a custom-built Saltbox-style home in Berkley that sold for $675,000. Built in 1986, the house has red cedar ceilings, three working wood stoves, and a heated bonus room above the garage. Check out this property, as well as other recent top-sellers, in the latest Greater Taunton real estate report.
These were the Top 5 stories of the past week, according to Gazette readers:
Miss Taunton 2023 receives her crown
Lakeville resident Lily Jeswald was crowned Miss Taunton 2023 at Taunton High School, at the 68th anniversary of the Miss Taunton Scholarship Program. Jeswald was crowned by Miss Taunton 2022 Brooklyn Toli.
Jeswald, 23, is a graduate of Dean College with a major in theater and English, and also the recipient of a $3,500 scholarship and the Miss Congeniality Award.
Next up for Jeswald? Competing for the title of Miss Massachusetts in June 2023.
Succession:Taunton crowns Miss Taunton 2023
Pizza muffins? Downtown Taunton diner has new owner and new menu
Located at the site of the former Stephanie's in downtown Taunton, Maria's Place is set to open in December, just in time for the Lights on Festival at Taunton Green, and will be a “family operation” serving breakfast and lunch, for now, with the addition of a dinner menu and pizza if things go well.
If things go well, that also includes pizza muffins. YES, pizza muffins!
Pizza muffins?:Downtown Taunton diner has new owner and new menu.
Doherty beats back challenge; Heroux ousts Hodgson
Election news was, naturally, among the top priorities for readers this week. Although some races are still playing out on the national level as of this writing, locally, State Rep. Carol Doherty was re-elected, and incumbent Sheriff Thomas Hodgson was ousted by Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux.
Doherty beat back a challenge from Taunton City Councilor Christopher Coute, holding onto her seat with 55% of the vote in that race. Coute received 42% of the vote. Now Doherty is looking ahead to her next term.
Local elections:Doherty beats back challenge from Coute for Taunton-Easton state rep seat
In the race for Bristol County Sheriff, 25-year incumbent Hodgson lost to Heroux, who pulled ahead late Tuesday night after a bruising campaign and a tight race. Now, Heroux is working on transitioning jobs.
New sheriff:Heroux prevails in tight race over Hodgson for Bristol County sheriff
HomeTown Furnishings and Mexican food truck find cozy new home
HomeTown Furnishings and HomeTown Tacos Locos customers can now buy furniture and grab some authentic Mexican food all in one stop at HomeTown's new location in the former Ray’s Appliance Sales on Broadway.
HomeTown Tacos Locos had been serving customers in a parking lot outside Globe Liquors on Route 44.
“It’s a no-brainer to have both businesses under one roof," said owner Omar Cruz.
Take a tour of this unique two-fer operation.
Business double:HomeTown Furnishings and Mexican food truck find cozy new home in Taunton
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 Miss Taunton Carol Doherty Paul Heroux pizza
