Before we start the new week in earnest, let’s look back at the week that was and the stories that led the news Taunton daily newspaper readers.
Top stories from the past week included:
The Taunton Animal Shelter is hosting its annual Jingle Paws fundraiser.
In local sports, polls are open until noon today so you can vote for the Taunton Daily Gazette Footballer of the Week for Thanksgiving.
The New England Patriots are building a new training facility.
Home Plate Bay Street Grill is working to spread cheer to those in need this holiday season.
TAP Air Portugal has added a new route between Porto and Boston.
Taunton-born actor Devon Coull is doing something special for his brother, David Coull, 58, who was recently diagnosed with early-onset dementia. He takes his brother’s favorite guitarist to Taunton for a dream show.
These were, in our opinion, the Top 5 stories of the past week Gazette readers:
‘I did not assault my husband’: Taunton mayor claims self-defence in new legal filing
“I did not abuse my husband at all, or with any object,” Shaunna O’Connell said in a recent court filing in her domestic violence case.
In a series of legal documents, Shaunna O’Connell, her lawyer and the prosecutor have outlined the arguments they plan to make when the trial, currently scheduled for December 12, begins.
Shaunna O’Connell denies in her legal filing that she hit her husband with a crowbar, saying she bit his arm in self-defense after he made physical contact with her.
Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell stands next to her husband Ted as he speaks to the media after the mayor was arraigned in Taunton District Court on Monday, July 22, 2024, on charges that she attacked her husband with a crowbar during an argument.
Taunton Daily Gazette reporter Emma Rindlisbacher has the story.
‘I did not abuse my husband’: Taunton’s mayor claims self-defense in a new legal filing
A Middleboro man dies after being trapped in a burning house; victim identified
Nathaniel Williams, 67, of Middleboro, who was trapped in his burning home for 18 minutes, died Tuesday from injuries he suffered in the fire, officials announced in a written statement.
Williams, the sole occupant of the home at 6 Locust St. in Middleboro, suffered burns and smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in his two-story home Monday evening.
“On behalf of the entire Middleboro Fire Department, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones,” said Middleboro Fire Chief Owen Thompson.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation; this is what we know at the time of writing.
Victim identified: A Middleboro man dies after being trapped in a burning house
‘Casting for a Good Cause’: ‘Celebrity’ Tauntonians bartending for a good cause
Talisa’s on Main in downtown Taunton will host “Taunton’s Famous Celebrity Bartenders,” where local officials and nonprofit representatives will pour and serve drinks from behind the bar.
And it’s all for a good cause.
Talisa Proctor, owner of Talisa’s on Main, said, “It’s raining for a good cause.”
This bartender series takes place from December 11 to December 15, with a different celebrity bartender every night.
Customers stream into Talisa’s on Main wine bar in downtown Taunton on Thursday, January 4, 2024.
Here’s how it works and who does the casting.
‘Casting for a good cause’: ‘Celebrity’ Tauntonians bartending for a good cause
Taunton’s new gift shop offers local, home-made items, just in time for Christmas
Looking for something handmade for Christmas?
Preferably something that is locally made?
The Trescott Street Gallery at 8 Trescott St. in Taunton has opened a new gift shop with items made by local producers, ranging from kitchen magnets to crochet items to skin care and everything in between.
Colleen Simmons, executive director of the Downtown Taunton Foundation, left, and Eileen Kelleher, program manager of the Downtown Taunton Foundation, are in the new Trescott Street Gallery gift shop on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024.
Check it out here.
Holiday shopping: Taunton’s new gift shop offers local, home-made items, just in time for Christmas
Weekend of Christmas and holiday events in Taunton
Last night was the Lights on Festival, but the festive fun in Taunton isn’t over yet this weekend.
Today is Taunton’s annual Christmas Parade, with more holiday events taking place in the coming weeks.
The Christmas City: Lights On Festival, parade this weekend in Taunton. What you need to know when you go.
This article originally appeared in The Taunton Daily Gazette: Top stories: Taunton mayor claims self-defense in new legal filing
