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:

Rehoboth resident Kegan McGonigle, a 2023 graduate of the St. Andrew's School in Barrington, Rhode Island, moving on to play Division 2 soccer. McGonigle is headed to the American International College, where he'll pursue a doctorate of physical therapy through their six-year accelerated program in addition to playing for the Yellow Jackets.

The latest Greater Taunton real estate report, featuring an almost two-hundred-year-old home in Taunton that sold for $800,000. The Highland Street home was built in 1830 and has been lovingly restored. It features soaring ceilings, stunning woodwork, pocket bathrooms, and comfortable window seats. Check out this property, as well as other recent top-sellers.

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

Taunton's new veterans agent has a passion for her job in part fueled by pain

Ally Rodriguez, Taunton's new veterans services director, has a passion for her work, as well as a personal connection, that is partially fueled by pain.

She had to help her ex-husband, a wounded veteran, traverse the complicated system with the Department of Veterans Affairs, trying to get every benefit he is entitled to.

“I had to navigate the VA myself, with very little to no help,” said Rodriguez, who has been on the job in Taunton since April.

Taunton's new Veterans Service Director Ally Rodriguez, in her office in City Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, has been on the job since April.

The experience deeply affected her, and also gave her direction: she vowed that she would work to serve veterans.

"I will do everything I can": Taunton's new veterans agent has a passion for her job in part fueled by pain

'Blighted' Church Green property gets OK for affordable condos

First-time homebuyers with low to moderate incomes may soon be able to purchase an affordable condo in a 30-unit townhouse complex on Church Green.

The complex, approved by the Planning Board on Aug. 3, will be built behind Old Colony History Museum on the former Taunton Medical Arts Center property, which Boston Capital owns.

Construction is planned to start in October; here's what you should know.

New homes in Taunton: 'Blighted' Church Green property gets OK for affordable condos. What to know

Taunton scraps Leonard School condo plan in face of intense opposition

The city has earmarked the land behind the closed Leonard School as open space in the face of fierce neighborhood opposition to a proposal to put cottage-style condos there.

The Leonard School on West Britannia Street is listed on the National Historic Register of Places.

City councilors agreed to designate the land behind the school as “open space” on Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Gazette Reporter Ed Baker has the story, and what could happen next.

"Open space": Taunton scraps Leonard School condo plan in face of intense opposition. What's next?

Berkley 3-year-old nearly drowns in pool, dispatchers talk family through CPR

Berkley first responders helped save the life of a 3-year-old boy who nearly drowned in a pool on Aug. 13, Fire Chief Scott Fournier and Police Chief Christopher Baker said in a written statement.

Even before first responders arrived on scene, dispatchers were able to talk family members through administering CPR, the statement said.

Upon first responders' arrival, family members were administering CPR as instructed by a dispatcher. Shortly after first responders arrived, the boy regained consciousness. He's expected to make a full recovery.

Saving a young life: Berkley 3-year-old nearly drowns in pool, dispatchers talk family through CPR

Owner not giving up after truck crashes into Taunton addiction center day before opening

A new addiction treatment program, Pathway to Recovery, had a plan to open last Monday on Broadway in Taunton, but that was derailed when a driver crashed his truck into its waiting room early Sunday morning.

A pickup truck crashed into the new Pathway To Recovery drug and alcohol treatment center in Taunton on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, the day before the clinic was slated to open in the same location at 59 Broadway where Recovery Connection Centers of America abruptly closed in March.

But the founder said she is committed to moving forward and opening in a temporary location as soon as possible.

Pathway to Recovery: Owner not giving up after truck crashes into Taunton addiction center day before opening

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 Herald News: Taunton Gazette Top 5: New veterans agent has passion for service