Taunton resident expands salon; new THS girls basketball coach: Our top stories

Kristina Fontes, The Taunton Daily Gazette
·3 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:

A look at 20 Greater Taunton girls basketball players to look out for this season. With basketball season beginning, all four girls basketball teams in the Taunton area are looking to build on the successes of last year and dreaming of glory and perhaps a trip to the state title games in March.

Another 2021 salary analysis, this time for Berkley. Which municipal employees made the most in Berkley in 2021?  The Gazette analyzed salary data from the town, including Berkley Public Schools, as well as the Somerset Berkley Regional School District. Six of the top 10 highest earners overall in Berkley in 2021 were members of the Police Department, with the remaining four being school employees.

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

Bridgewater salon moves into giant new space with spa and barbershop all under one roof

Taunton resident Missy Battaglia, the owner of Revolutions Salon, 15 Fireworks Circle, Unit 3, in Bridgewater, has over 30 years experience in the hair industry.

After years of renting a chair and then leasing a commercial space, she knew it was time to think bigger.

Inside the building are several suites with different businesses, including a day spa and a barbershop. Go ahead, take a tour.

Missy Battaglia, owner of Revolutions Salons, sits in her grandfather's barber shop chair in the salon's new location at 15 Fireworks Circle, Bridgewater on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. Her grandfather, a Boston barber, was still cutting hair at the age of 92, she said.
Missy Battaglia, owner of Revolutions Salons, sits in her grandfather's barber shop chair in the salon's new location at 15 Fireworks Circle, Bridgewater on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. Her grandfather, a Boston barber, was still cutting hair at the age of 92, she said.

Winning combination:Bridgewater salon moves into giant new space with spa and barbershop all under one roof

Rodrigues looks to bring experience, passion to Taunton girls basketball

One of the most prolific former New Bedford basketball players has traded in her harpoon for tiger stripes.

Gretchen Rodrigues was named the new head coach of the Taunton girls varsity basketball team on Oct. 4, succeeding former head coach Amy Siggens, who led the Tigers for three seasons.

Taunton High School Athletic Director Mark Ottavianelli (left) with new girls basketball coach Gretchen Rodrigues.
Taunton High School Athletic Director Mark Ottavianelli (left) with new girls basketball coach Gretchen Rodrigues.

Now, she looks to help turn around a Tigers team that finished 4-16 last season, and with a largely young team, she feels she has the tools to start building a successful program.

On the court:Rodrigues looks to bring experience, passion to Taunton girls basketball

Taunton Recovery Court

Two stories centered around the Taunton Recovery Court resonated with a lot of readers this past week.

State Rep. Carol Doherty, D-Taunton, left, presents graduation certificates to Taunton Recovery Court participants Thomas Halpin, center, and David Engler during a commencement ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, at Taunton District Court.
State Rep. Carol Doherty, D-Taunton, left, presents graduation certificates to Taunton Recovery Court participants Thomas Halpin, center, and David Engler during a commencement ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, at Taunton District Court.

First, there was the Taunton Recovery Court class of 2022. The court, which has been around since 2016, uses "a team approach involving prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation officers, police, and clinicians who work together on each case and determine a course of action." A graduation ceremony was held for this year's class on Nov. 30. Taunton resident David Engler, 39, said he struggled with drug addiction three years ago and stumbled into Taunton Recovery Court to seek supervised rehabilitation treatment. "I would not have lived too much longer if I did not stumble in here handcuffed."

'Would not have lived too much longer':Meet the Taunton Recovery Court class of 2022

Monica Leonardo, a member of the Recovery Court team, has also received an award for her work. A program director for Community Counseling of Bristol County's residential rehabilitation services, assisting men and women recovering from substance addiction, Leonardo has received the John E. Munise III award for her commitment.

"Monica has been a tremendous resource for helping us navigate the intricacies of insurance, benefits and restrictions when matching our participants with the right programs and services," said Taunton District Court Probation Officer Kelly Hamilton Welzel.

Taunton Recovery Court presented Monica Leonardo of Community Counseling of Bristol County with the John E. Munise III award for her guidance and support during a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.
Taunton Recovery Court presented Monica Leonardo of Community Counseling of Bristol County with the John E. Munise III award for her guidance and support during a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.

Taunton's Santos scores career high in opening night win

The winter sports season is in full swing, and already off to a great start.

Troy Santos leads the offense Tuesday, March 9 in MIAA Division 1 Tournament action against Wachusett.
Troy Santos leads the offense Tuesday, March 9 in MIAA Division 1 Tournament action against Wachusett.

Taunton's Troy Santos opened up the season with a dominant showing as he scored a career-high 44 points against Sharon this week.

Off to a strong start:Taunton's Santos scores career high in opening night win

Be sure to check TauntonGazette.com for all of the latest highlights from local sports teams.

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 Revolutions Salon Gretchen Rodrigues