![Top News Stories for February 2023](http://townsquare.media/site/518/files/2023/02/attachment-attachment-earl-white-commercial-1.jpeg?w=630&h=419&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Top News Stories for February 2023
There's always a lot going on in southeastern Massachusetts — and February is no exception.
Even in the middle of a dreary New England winter, the SouthCoast can see a celebrity visit a recently opened restaurant, a local man featured in a much-talked-about Super Bowl ad, and the first recreational marijuana dispensary open in New Bedford.
This month's most-viewed story is controversial: a South Shore restaurant cancelled a booking for an event meant to raise funds for a woman who allegedly strangled her three children to death.
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Other news stories this past month are also very sad.
One of the SouthCoast's most-loved bartenders, the Stone Rooster's 98-year-old Gilda Downey, has died.
A fatal crash in Cumberland, Rhode Island claimed the life of 25-year-old town resident Sara Laboissonniere.
And beloved New Bedford icon 'Big Al' is going through a troubled time, as he has found himself facing homelessness — one of the many SouthCoast residents experiencing housing instability due to a worsening crisis.
WBSM also reported on the list of missing people in Bristol County, and changes coming to the business scene with the permanent closing of the Dartmouth Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Finally, it wasn't all bad.
One local businessman has pledged to help refurbish the 70-year-old Shawmut Diner — which is currently sitting unused — to train inmates at the Bristol County House of Correction in Dartmouth.
Check out our top 10 news stories this month:
Top News Stories for February
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