What to know about Steward Health Care bankruptcy; New York Bagel in Taunton: Top stories

Kristina Fontes, The Taunton Daily Gazette
·3 min read

Before we begin the new week in earnest, we're taking a look back at the week that was, the stories that led the news with Taunton Daily Gazette readers.

Top stories this past week included:

Bridgewater-Raynham High School Junior Cole Bridges being offered the Rensselaer Medal, a scholarship worth $160,000 over 4 years from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. He was the only B-R student offered this medal this year.

A blast from the Taunton rock quarry, located at 203 Fremont St., sent rocks flying off the property and into the surrounding neighborhood.

Three men are facing federal charges for robbing a courier at gunpoint who was carrying $436,200 in cash deposits which were collected at marijuana dispensaries in Middleboro, Plymouth and Fall River, according to a federal affidavit.

These were the Top 5 stories of the past week, according to Gazette readers:

Steward Health Care bankruptcy: What to know

Early last week, Steward Health Care, operator of the third largest hospital system in Massachusetts, and one of the state's largest employers, declared bankruptcy.

Taunton resident Shelly Pearl holds a sign at the community rally to save Morton Hospital held on the Taunton Green on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
Taunton resident Shelly Pearl holds a sign at the community rally to save Morton Hospital held on the Taunton Green on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

As of this writing, this is what we know:

Steward filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas, seeking the legal protection to restructure its debt while leaving its hospitals open.

Here are a few takeaways from the main bankruptcy filing.

This story is about where things went wrong for Steward.

Dr. Ralph de la Torre, chairman and CEO of Steward Health Care, has been publicly criticized for living a lavish lifestyle — owning not one but two yachts — while running his company into the ground.

Some Steward employees reported that they did not receive their paychecks on Thursday.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. Lopez had ruled earlier in the week that Steward be allowed to meet payroll for its more than 30,000 workers nationwide.

For the latest updates, visit TauntonGazette.com.

Steward Health Care bankruptcy: 6 jaw-dropping revelations from Steward Health Care's bankruptcy filing

Popular SouthCoast bagel shop coming to Taunton

Looks like New York Bagel Company is coming to Taunton.

The company, of Fall River and Dartmouth, has a lease agreement with the Taunton owners and developers of a gas station and convenience store being built on a land parcel listed as 1939 Bay St.

Owners Kyle and Dawn Lima are ready to serve at New York Bagel Co. on President Avenue in Fall River on April 12, 2024.
Owners Kyle and Dawn Lima are ready to serve at New York Bagel Co. on President Avenue in Fall River on April 12, 2024.

Here's what you need to know.

New York Bagel Company: Popular SouthCoast bagel shop coming to Taunton. When, where and more

Bristol-Plymouth superintendent is 'un-retiring'

Several months after publicly announcing his retirement, Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School Superintendent Alexandre Magalhaes has changed his mind.

Taunton Gazette Reporter Daniel Schemer has the story on why, and what teachers think.

B-P superintendent is 'un-retiring': Why and what do teachers think?

The Flying Banana to close physical restaurant; trailer will stay open

Every week, Taunton Eats takes a look at meal deals, special events, and mouth-watering offerings at local eateries and markets to consider when planning your next night out.

This past week, there was an announcement from The Flying Banana in Middleboro:

They're closing their brick-and-mortar location on Center Street, but that doesn't mean the end of The Flying Banana.

They announced in a Facebook post that, despite their store closing, their mobile dessert trailer will still be in operation.

Maria Bilikas, Cambridge, with her grandson Leon Carreiro, 1, of Middleboro, at The Flying Banana located at 54 Center St. in Middleboro on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.
Maria Bilikas, Cambridge, with her grandson Leon Carreiro, 1, of Middleboro, at The Flying Banana located at 54 Center St. in Middleboro on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.

Visit TauntonGazette.com on Thursdays for the latest on the local food scene with Taunton Eats.

Taunton Eats: The Flying Banana to close physical restaurant; trailer will stay open

Weekly home sales: Middleboro family farm sold for nearly $1.3 million

The latest Greater Taunton real estate report featured a farm in Middleboro that sold for $1,250,000.

Most recently the site of Boutiette family farm, the Wareham Street property consists of 7.60 acres. The main house was built in 1880 and features an open floor plan with living room, dining room and kitchen with breakfast bar, plus a loft family room on the second floor.

Check out this property, as well as other recent top-sellers.

Weekly home sales: Middleboro family farm sold for nearly $1.3 million

Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Taunton Gazette Top 5: What to know about Steward bankruptcy