Taunton couple charged with fraud; saving Lake Sabbatia; new diner, boutique: Top stories
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.
Our top story of the past week concerned a Taunton couple who allegedly used donations to the nonprofit Violence in Boston for a "wide range of personal expenses."
Other top stories included: the Nellie Rose Diner treating guests to a 1950s-inspired space at their new East Freetown location; how Lake Sabbatia residents and the city are working to stop invasive weeds that threaten the health of the lake; and the top-selling homes of our latest real estate report.
Rounding out the Top 5 stories of the past week was a look at Taunton's newest boutique, Katie Jodly, run by a mother-daughter duo and featuring in-house designs.
These were the top stories of the past week, according to Gazette readers:
Taunton couple allegedly used donations to nonprofit for 'personal expenses'
A Taunton couple is accused of fraudulently using donations to their non-profit for a "wide range of personal expenses" — as well as committing pandemic unemployment fraud and lying on their mortgage application for their Taunton home.
Monica Cannon-Grant and her husband Clark Grant were charged in connection with a series of alleged schemes designed to defraud the donors of a Boston nonprofit they founded, Violence in Boston, as well as the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance and a mortgage lender, the Department of Justice said in a written statement Tuesday.
It's alleged that they used donation money to pay for hotel reservations, groceries, gas, car rentals, auto repairs, Uber rides, restaurants, food deliveries, nail salons and personal travel, among other things.
Taunton couple facing charges: Allegedly used donations to nonprofit for 'wide range of personal expenses'
Step back into the 1950s at new East Freetown diner
At its new East Freetown location, the Nellie Rose Diner invites guests to step back in time while they enjoy their meal.
Located at 1 Chace Road — inside the former USA Breakfast & Lunch restaurant — the building has been renovated around a 1950s-inspired theme. They've got a jukebox cranking out tunes, as well as a Pepsi fountain, and the walls are covered with posters featuring the likes of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
They serve breakfast and lunch every day. See what's on the menu at this new, vintage-inspired spot.
Goodness gracious check out this diner: Nellie Rose Diner opens in Freetown
Saving Lake Sabbatia from aquatic invaders
Invasive weeds are everywhere in Lake Sabbatia. They endanger people who are out on the water, and they endanger the lake itself, by affecting water flow, depleting oxygen from the water, and killing fish habitats and other vegetation.
But Sabbatia residents are stepping up to stop the spread of those weeds.
Residents have teamed up with the city, after reaching out to City Councilor John McCaul over the summer, to see what they can do to rid Lake Sabbatia of the various weeds now clogging the waters.
From surveying the extent of the damage, to drawing up removal plans, here's how that effort is going so far.
Photos: Lake Sabbatia residents fight invasive weed infestation
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Greater Taunton real estate report
We've got the latest top-selling homes from the Greater Taunton area, including a three-bedroom, three-bath, 2,100-square-foot new colonial in a brand-new subdivision that recently sold for $660,000.
According to Zillow, the house has a second-floor laundry room, two walk-in closets in the master bedroom, a "big and gorgeous tile shower in the master," and double sink vanities in both full bathrooms.
Check out that listing, plus all the latest top-selling homes, in the latest Greater Taunton real estate report.
Real estate report: New house in new Taunton subdivision sells for more than $600,000
Mother-daughter duo opens Katie Jodly boutique
The new Katie Jodly boutique opened on Weir Street in October, led by the mother and daughter duo of Jodly Delia and Karm-Syndia Augustin.
Augustin, nicknamed Katie for the Katie in Katie Jodly, is co-owner and store manager, while Delia works behind the scenes to design and craft their signature line. They offer unique, handmade clothing, and most of the items on sale in the shop are crafted by Delia. They also sell some handmade items from Haitian and Taunton area artisans.
All pieces are customizable and can be reproduced in all colors and sizes.
Unique boutique: Take a look inside Katie Jodly
See what's happening inside the boutique and what designs they've got now.
Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News 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 Taunton Daily Gazette: Top stories: Cannon-Grant charged; Nellie Rose Diner, Katie Jodly
