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:
There’s still time to stop by the 91st Holy Ghost Feast in East Taunton: they’re serving traditional sopas today, plus many more Portuguese and American foods.
Our picks for the 2025 Taunton Daily Gazette Boys Lacrosse All-Scholastics, the 2025 Taunton Daily Gazette Boys Tennis All-Scholastics, the 2025 Taunton Daily Gazette Girls Lacrosse All-Scholastics, and the 2025 Taunton Daily Gazette Girls Tennis All-Scholastics.
The Whittenton Community Block Party is set to return on Aug. 10.
Which Berkley employees made the most in 2024? Here are the top 10.
The latest Greater Taunton real estate report, featuring a two-family home in Taunton that sold for $710,000. The house on Washington Street has a spacious eat-in kitchen, a comfortable family room, and generously sized bedrooms in each unit. 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:
Expansion plans at Taunton Casino Welcome Center
The Taunton casino “Welcome Center” could be expanding from 50 slot machines to up to 250 slot machines, according to a draft agreement between the city and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
As of this writing, the draft agreement has not yet been signed and has yet to go into effect.
A sign outside the Mashpee Wampanoag Welcome Center in Taunton on July 1 2025.
What we know.
Expansion plans?: Taunton gaming center hammering out major expansion to add 200 slot machines. The deal
According to a legal notice, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is in the process of applying for an alcohol license for its Taunton Casino Welcome Center.
Here’s what we know, as of this writing.
Application process: Alcohol, outdoor events could come to Taunton casino Welcome Center. What we know
Demolition clears way for Taunton shipping container shopping mall
A shipping container plaza featuring retail spaces, a brewery/distillery, and an amphitheater is being built at the former Bacon Felt Factory site in Taunton.
Digital rendering of what the brewery/distillery will look like at shipping container plaza currently being developed at Taunton’s former Bacon Felt factory site. Shipping containers will comprise the base structure, holding up the roof.
Gazette Reporter Daniel Schemer has the story.
Former Bacon Felt Factory: Demolition clears way for Taunton shipping container shopping mall. When will it open?
Taunton woman writes memoir on brother’s suicide
Jennifer Hoye, author of “Thick Thighs, Tattoos & Breaking Taboos,” channels grief from her brother’s suicide into advocacy and a memoir.
Teddy Fusco and Jen Hoye, seen here at her wedding in 1997.
The book details Hoye’s journey through unhealthy coping mechanisms to finding solace in walking and running.
‘Healing is messy!’: Taunton woman writes memoir on brother’s suicide
Taunton man held without bail in murder of man found shot to death in Highland Street shed
More than a year after Johnny Lajoie was found shot to death in a furnished shed on Highland Street in Taunton, police have identified and charged a suspect with murder.
Manny Pina, 26, of Taunton, was arraigned Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Taunton District Court on charges of murder and unlawfully carrying a firearm.
Gazette Reporter Emma Rindlisbacher takes a look at what we know, as of this writing.
Facing charges: Taunton man held without bail in murder of man found shot to death in Highland Street shed
Taunton hires April Funches as first-ever substance use coordinator
April Funches, Taunton’s new substance use coordinator, said she plans to “show the community that the mayor’s office and the City of Taunton does care about those who struggle with substance use addiction and their families.”
Funches is the president of the Taunton Diversity Network, a local nonprofit, and she previously worked as a program manager for the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
April Funches
On June 26, Mayor Shaunna O’Connell announced that Funches would be hired to a newly created position of substance use, recovery, and prevention coordinator.
‘Compassion and understanding’: Taunton hires April Funches as first-ever substance use coordinator. Who is she?
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Top stories: Taunton Casino Welcome Center could be expanding
