As we kick off a new week, let’s take a look back at the week that was.
Top stories this past week included:
A three-alarm fire that broke out around 3:42 a.m. Friday morning in the third-floor apartment of a multi-family home at 143 Choate St. in Fall River has displaced 19 residents, including 10 children. Here’s how to help.
The Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District and the head of the Diocese of Fall River Bishop Edgar M. Cunha have each been sued in connection with a case where a Taunton man raped a 14-year-old child who he interacted with as a substitute teacher and a Sunday school teacher.
Fall River’s Argosy Collegiate Charter School, 240 Dover St., is set to receive $60,000, and B.M.C. Durfee High School, 460 Elsbree St., is being awarded $100,000 in support of a pathway linking its graduates to UMass schools via the Commonwealth Collegiate Academy.
Freetown-Lakeville Superintendent Alan Strauss has resigned from his position, citing “abusive treatment.”
Our picks for Greater Fall River’s Girls Cross Country All-Scholastics, as well as a look at a career night for Durfee junior basketball star Jah Stephenson.
Fall River Eats took a look at the date night menu at Bittersweet Farm, an upcoming wine dinner at Black Salt, and even a meet-and-greet with beloved children’s show character Bluey at Barrett’s Alehouse. Check it out, here.
Bajah’s Cat Cafe in Tiverton will be welcoming back its feline friends once again.
A quick refresher on the laws and rules of snow storm etiquette when it comes to plowing, shoveling and parking.
These were the most read stories of the week on HeraldNews.com:
South Coast Rail is around the corner. Some worry it will make the housing crisis worse.
South Coast Rail, which is expected to launch soon, promises to transform the job market, economic conditions and regional connectivity by restoring direct service to Fall River, New Bedford and Taunton, the only major cities within a 50-mile radius of Boston that lack commuter rail access to the city, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
MBTA train crossing at 65 Chase Road in East Freetown on Monday June 17, 2024.
But for communities already grappling with housing affordability crises, the long-awaited rail link raises questions about who will benefit.
South Coast Rail is around the corner: Some worry it will make the housing crisis worse.
State court upholds a controversial MBTA zoning law. 3 SouthCoast towns aren’t complying.
The Supreme Judicial Court on Wednesday upheld a controversial state law that mandates multi-family housing zones for cities and towns serviced by the MBTA — including those that will soon get commuter rail service via South Coast Rail.
The SJC ruled that the 2021 MBTA Communities Law is constitutional and Attorney General Andrea Campbell had the authority to enforce it. But it also ruled that the guidelines by which the law can be enforced were improperly created, sending enforcement back to the drawing board.
Are SouthCoast communities on the new commuter rail route complying with the law? Most are — but some aren’t, leaving them open to legal action or loss of funding.
Herald News Senior Digital Producer Dan Medeiros breaks it down.
2021 MBTA Communities Law: State court upholds a controversial MBTA zoning law. 3 SouthCoast towns aren’t complying.
Soup kitchen volunteers feed Fall River homeless during brutal cold: ‘We’re here with you’
On Tuesday afternoon, in Britland Park, the Rev. Rob Nemkovich of Blessed Trinity Church and Christopher Silvia of Christopher’s cafe teamed up to deliver hot soup, food, supplies and warm clothing to the city’s homeless neighbors living near and around the Quequechan River Rail Trail on an especially frigid day.
These are our neighbors’ stories.
Nicole Smith, who is homeless, gets hot soup and warm clothing at Britland Park on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
They agreed to share their experiences with The Herald News, and to be photographed.
‘We’re here with you’: Soup kitchen volunteers feed Fall River homeless during brutal cold
$23K in donations roll in for Somerset woman after being injured in ‘road rage’ incident
More than $23,000 in GoFundMe donations was raised as of this past Monday afternoon to help pay the medical bills for a Somerset woman who was body-slammed to the pavement in what she described as a road-rage incident.
After striking another car in what Attleboro police called “a minor motor vehicle crash,” police said Hailea Soares of Somerset was pulled from her car by the other vehicle’s driver, and after a brief argument she was picked up and thrown to the road. She suffered several broken bones and head injuries.
Herald News Reporter Emily Scherny has the story.
Donations roll in: $23K in donations roll in for Somerset woman after being injured in ‘road rage’ incident
If you miss Mee Sum’s pork fried rice, here’s the recipe: How to make it at home
Missing Mee Sum’s pork fried rice?
Here’s how to make it at home.
Restaurant food at home: If you miss Mee Sum’s pork fried rice, here’s the recipe: How to make it at home
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Top stories: South Coast Rail and housing; MBTA zoning law upheld