Taunton shaken after Neo-Nazis disrupt family-friendly library drag event: 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:

Our latest All-Scholastics team, this time focusing on volleyball. This season included solid performances and even a trip to the Div. III tournament. With the fall of 2022 now in the rearview, here's a final look back at the Greater Taunton area volleyball players who stood out among the crowd to earn their spot as the 2022 Taunton Daily Gazette Volleyball All-Scholastics.

The latest Greater Taunton real estate report, featuring an immaculate custom-built colonial in Dighton that sold for $699,900. This home has a gourmet kitchen with custom cabinets, 9-foot ceilings, and a sun-drenched living room with a fireplace. And that's not all. Check out this property, as well as other recent top-sellers.

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

Taunton shaken by neo-Nazi protesters' disruption of drag queen story hour

After a family-friendly drag queen event at the Taunton Public Library was interrupted by masked extremists, members of the community went before the City Council to express their feelings and show support for the LGBTQ+ community.

About an hour of the Council's public input period was devoted to acknowledging and venting over the incident, which left people shaken up in its aftermath.

The Southcoast LGBTQ+ Network was at the council meeting, and Mayor Shaunna O'Connell also made a statement condemning the actions of the Neo-Nazi group who interrupted the event at the library.

There was also discussion about what other actions local officials and law enforcement can take, as well as what Taunton as a community can do to counteract hate speech and bigotry.

"An act of hate and bigotry":Taunton shaken by neo-Nazi protesters' disruption of drag queen story hour

'Fierce and adventurous spirit': Taunton paralympian lost a leg then climbed a mountain

Paralympian Sarah Doherty, who died on Jan. 11 at age 63, saw the world and inspired others while she was at it.

Her journey began right here in Taunton.

By her athletic achievements alone, Doherty was an inspiring figure.

At age 13, Doherty lost her right leg to a drunk driver while riding her bicycle one day on Winthrop Street.

This only motivated her further to be more active and not be held down by her disability.

She would go on to become a paralympian, and the first female uniped to climb to the peak of Mount Rainier in Washington State, among so many other adventures.

'Fierce and adventurous spirit':Taunton paralympian lost a leg then climbed a mountain

Taunton man sentenced in $1M online romance scams

A 30-year-old Taunton man has been sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution for his role in online romance scams, United States Attorney Rachael Rollins said.

Francis Okafor was sentenced Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in federal court in Boston by U.S. Senior District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to two years in prison followed by two years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $1,130,285, Rollins said in a written statement.

From approximately May 2018 through August 2021, Okafor and others participated in a series of romance scams designed to defraud victims, Rollins said.

Two years in prison:Taunton man sentenced in $1M online romance scams

New Fun City trampoline park bounces into Taunton bringing 'adventure'

Since Fun City Adventure Park opened in late October in the Taunton Depot shopping plaza, local families have been stopping by for a bounce.

Mulchaey Elementary School third grader Riley Derewiany, 9, said he loves going there.

"I love going on the trampoline," Riley said after he and his brother Maxwell, who is in second grade, rolled around inside large plastic balls in a bumper ball court on Tuesday, Jan 10. "The trampoline has rainbow lights that go on."

Jump on in and see what all of the fun is about.

A bit of bounce:New Fun City trampoline park bounces into Taunton bringing 'adventure'

Taunton cop who's battled cancer shares special bond with 10-year-old with cancer

When Cops for Kids With Cancer presented 10-year-old Jace Dupra’s family with a donation at the Taunton Police Station, Officer Evan Lavigne was there to meet Jace — not only for the award, but because Lavigne has also struggled with cancer.

"When I heard about Jace's visit, I had to meet him. Meeting Jace and seeing his personality shine reminded me of my experience walking through Children's Hospital," Lavigne said.

Lavigne was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in January 2015, entered remission in April 2015, and attended the police academy that September.

During their visit, he showed Jace — who is battling stage four medulloblastoma — his patrol car, where he inspected all the gadgets, shouted some commands over the intercom, and activated the lights and sirens.

"Jace grabbed the steering wheel, looked over to me and said 'I could totally drive this thing.' My hope is that someday, when this is all behind him, he does," Lavigne said.

"I had to meet him":Taunton cop who's battled cancer shares special bond with 10-year-old with cancer

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 Nazis at library Sarah Doherty online scam