Taunton says goodbye to Marla Isaac, Colonial Do-Nut Shop: 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:
A look at the plans for the new public safety complex in Taunton. Project Planning Professionals and architectural firm Caolo & Bieniek Associates, Inc. updated the City Council about the project in December. This is how things are shaping up.
Single-family home sales in Massachusetts plummeted last month to the lowest November total in eight years while prices climbed to a new high, according to the latest report from The Warren Group, but some folks around the Taunton area still became new homeowners in time for Christmas. Check out the recent local top-sellers, right here.
These were the Top 5 stories of the past week, according to Gazette readers:
Taunton says good-bye to Colonial Do-Nut: Readers share decades of memories
It's the end of an era in Taunton.
After more than 70 years, Colonial Do-Nut Shop, a local fixture, has closed its doors.
Their goodbye to the community was a simple "thank you" in the window, so the Gazette reached out to readers who wanted to share some thank yous of their own: Gazette readers shared decades of sweet memories, spanning generations, made with friends and loved ones at Colonial.
Good-bye to Colonial Do-Nut:Readers share decades of memories
Ever met an alligator or anaconda in Taunton? Chances are Marla Isaac was there
Taunton also recently said goodbye to someone else who had an impact on generations of Taunton's children:
Wildlife expert Marla Isaac died at age 64 on Dec. 4, after a six-year battle with interstitial lung disease.
She cared for exotic wildlife as a federal and state-licensed caretaker, was the go-to person for question about exotic pets, and taught children locally and all over New England.
Isaac's loved ones spoke with the Gazette, to remember her life.
Educating generations:Ever met an alligator or anaconda in Taunton? Chances are Marla Isaac was there.
Taunton man pleads guilty in vending machine scam
A 54-year-old Taunton man has pleaded guilty to fraud in a vending machine scam.
Massachusetts Attorney General and Governor-elect Maura Healey said Lennon "sold false promises to aspiring small-business owners on the strength of fabricated records and misleading agreements."
'False promises, worthless routes':Taunton man pleads guilty in vending machine scam
Here's when trains will start rolling through Taunton. What about the noise?
Construction of the MBTA's commuter railway extension from Middleboro and Lakeville through East Taunton, New Bedford and Fall River should be completed in late 2023, according to South Coast Rail project manager Jean Fox.
All aboard:Here's when trains will start rolling through Taunton. What about the noise?
Former Taunton state softball champion named head coach
Former softball champion Michelle Raposo has been named as the new head varsity softball coach at Taunton High School.
Raposo, 37, takes over the reins left behind by former back-to-back Division I state champion head coach Carrie Consalvi, who is now the head coach at her alma mater at Bridgewater State University.
"I am beyond excited," Raposo said. "I was really excited to come back next year as a junior varsity coach. So to be given the opportunity to come back as a head coach, this is a lifelong dream for me."
'She brings a fire to the game':Former Taunton state softball champion named head coach
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 Colonial Do-Nut Marla Isaac Kevin Lennon MBTA