Top stories: Somerset weight loss queen, State of the Coast report, Diman upgrades
Spooky season is officially upon us, and it seems like September came and went in the blink of an eye.
As we slide into October and a fresh new week, let take a look back at the week that was.
Tucker Tuffile thought earning a driver’s license was pretty cool. But it just doesn’t compare to the Swansea teen just accomplished: solo flight.
In other news, Viva Fall River Pop Up Shop made its grand opening debut, and two years after David Almond starved to death in his Fall River home, a newly dedicated grove in Heritage State Park will help keep his story alive.
Also, The Herald News continues its series taking a look back at Greater Fall River's all-time best high school athletes — from football to field hockey to volleyball.
But the most read stories of the week on heraldnews.com were the following:
Her (no longer) 500-pound life
Debra Harrison was recently recognized for being the biggest loser — but in the best way.
The Somerset resident was crowned TOPS Club royalty for her weight loss achievement through the nonprofit and named its 2021 Massachusetts Queen.
"When I reached my goal I literally cried because I never thought I would ever do it," Harrison said.
For 52-year-old Harrison, the weight loss journey has been a rollercoaster. At her heaviest Harrison was 480 pounds, and over the years she has dealt with a slew of medical issues tied to her weight. But slow and steady wins the race. After decades of struggle, Harrison has ditched her CPAP machine, is off insulin therapy and has finally reached her goal weight.
'The best feeling ever': Somerset woman crowned Mass. Queen recounts 260-pound weight loss
A dire State of the Coast
In a field at Westport Town Farm, above the flat, grassy wetlands that lie on the banks of the Westport River, the Trustees of Reservations shared dire warnings about the future of the Southcoast’s shorelines.
"We know that climate change is having a profound impact on our vulnerable coastal areas — and we also know that we cannot wait to act," John Judge, president and CEO of The Trustees, told a group of local public officials and representatives of the area’s congressional delegation.
The nonprofit Boston-based land conservation group chose the spot to issue its 2022 State of the Coast report, a 44-page document culled from publicly available environmental science data that raises alarming projections about the effects of manmade climate change on coastlines from Falmouth to Swansea.
Effects of climate change: Roads could flood, hurricane barrier close every day by 2050, report says
Three parishes become one
This weekend, a new parish was be born in the Fall River diocese — one featuring the same places, the same faces, but a new name.
On Oct. 1, three churches — St. Thomas More and St. Patrick's in Somerset, and St. Louis de France in Swansea — formed a new parish community, but not under the same roof. They officially merged into Our Lady of Peace, with three separate worship sites.
The Rev. David A. Costa, pastor of Our Lady of Peace who oversees all three churches, said the bishop's recent approval of the merger just makes formal what they've been doing for the past three years: working together.
Our Lady of Peace: New parish community forms in Somerset, Swansea following church merger
Equipment upgrades for Diman
Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School has won a major grant that will bring new equipment to two programs in fast-growing industries.
“For Diman to receive this amount of money is special,” said Andrew Rebello, the school’s principal. “This is really gonna expand the ceiling of opportunity for students.”
Diman received $2.5 million in state money through the Skills Capital Lab Modernization Grant. It will go to the school’s advanced manufacturing and dental assisting programs. On Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Baker presented the check to representatives from the school and other grant recipients at a ceremony in Westfield. Here's what they plan to spend it on.
'That’s been on our wish list': State grant means $2.5 million in equipment upgrades for Diman
Durfee welcomes new coach
Cabrinni Goncalves' journey to becoming a strength and conditioning coach started inside the weight room as a middle-schooler.
The Taunton native was the youngest and only one to attend such sessions. He wanted to prepare himself for the rigors of high school sports.
Throughout his teenage years and college life, Goncalves became a gym rat. Now his hard work has paid off in a big way, having recently been named the new strength and conditioning coach at B.M.C. Durfee High School.
'Maximize these kids' potential': New Durfee strength coach shares expertise
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Top stories from Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, Westport, Tiverton
