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:
A teen from the Raynham area is now a gold medalist: Tia LaBrecque, 16, traveled to the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan. On Nov. 24, she started in the Gold Medal game, and she and the U.S. Women’s Deaf National Soccer Team defeated Japan 4-0.
A Thanksgiving Eve showdown between Taunton and Milford football.
Where to buy fresh Christmas trees, wreaths and more in Taunton area.
Have dinner with the Fezziwigs and enjoy a live retelling of “A Christmas Carol” at The Old Grist Mill Tavern.
The latest Greater Taunton real estate report, featuring a converted two-family in Taunton that sold for $865,000. The home on Somerset Avenue was originally built in 1900 as a single-family residence. Updated into a modern multi-family property, both units feature a townhouse-style layout with two floors of living space, complete with front porches, hardwood floors, and abundant natural light. Check out this property, as well as other recent top-sellers.
These were the Top 5 stories of the week, according to Gazette readers:
Fine-dining chef opens comfort food restaurant inside Taunton PACC
Nathan Levesque, a chef with decades of fine-dining experience, has launched his passion project, Dude with the Food, operating out of the Portuguese American Civic Club in Taunton.
“I always wanted to do something on my own,” said Levesque.
Nathan Levesque, owner of Dude with the Food, shows a Philly cheesesteak sub with peppers and onions at the Portuguese American Civic Club in Taunton on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.
Learn more and see what’s on the menu, here.
Dude with the Food: Fine-dining chef opens comfort food restaurant inside Taunton PACC
By razor thin margin Taunton Council votes not to discipline McCaul
The Taunton City Council ultimately voted in a close 5-4 vote not to take any disciplinary action against Councilor John McCaul — other than asking him to apologize to an election worker — in the wake of allegations from Elections Director Mark Pacheco that McCaul “singlehandedly delayed results for the City’s entire election” during the Sept. 23 preliminary election.
What we know, as of this writing.
5-4 vote: By razor thin margin Taunton Council votes not to discipline McCaul
Taunton High’s cell ban led to dramatic improvements, new data shows
Taunton High School is seeing dramatic improvement to student behavior and academics since enacting a cell phone ban, according to a memo from High School Principal John Harrison.
‘Better than we expected’: Taunton High’s cell ban led to dramatic improvements, new data shows
Judge slashes, freezes Taunton mobile home park rents that had doubled
Residents of Willow Terrace Mobile Home Park in Taunton can breathe a sigh of relief regarding rent.
Currently, the property owners of the park, BoaVida Communities, are engaged in a lawsuit with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office over allegations of unfair rent increases and retaliatory practices against its tenants.
A preliminary injunction was issued by Suffolk County Superior Court, preventing the property owner of the park from raising rents above $385 a month, according to an announcement from the Attorney General’s Office.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, left, speaks with residents of Willow Terrace Mobile Home Park in Taunton on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Campbell’s office is suing the park’s owner over alleged rent disparities and unfair and retaliatory rent increases.
Gazette Reporter Daniel Schemer has what we know, as of this writing.
Willow Terrace Mobile Home Park: Judge slashes, freezes Taunton mobile home park rents that had doubled
Route 24 northbound ramp to Route 140 to close in Taunton Dec. 1-8
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will close a ramp on Route 24 northbound in Taunton.
The closure will affect northbound at exit 17B to Route 140 northbound from Dec. 1 through 8, according to a community announcement.
What to know about detours and more.
Road work: Route 24 northbound ramp to Route 140 to close in Taunton Dec. 1-8
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Top stories: Fine-dining chef opens comfort food spot at Taunton PACC
Dining and Cooking