Highlights in The 016 Thursday, December 16th

• Posted by 016 Administrator December 16, 2021 - Filed in News - 2,234 views

  Start your day with the latest and most complete Worcester news! Click here to join The016.com today! Registration is free and easy

  Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:

  In The News

  -Latest weather: Record high of 60 expected today in Worcester

  +5:30: Dudley firefighter is facing indecent assault charge after being accused of grabbing woman in a Cumberland Farms

  +5:30: Food Hub member connecting people through cookie decorating

  +5:30: Social media posts threaten schools in TikTok challenge

  +5:30: Music producer, 8 others killed in plane crash

  +Noon: Melissa Hunt-Deneault identified as Worcester woman killed in Grove Street crash on December 8th

  +Noon: The scoop on Mrs. Moriconi's Ice Cream at Tatnuck Square

  +Noon: It's the last day to vote for Bean Counter's gingerbread house in Channel 4 competition

  +Noon: The Mayor’s Live Music List for Thursday

  +Noon: 5 Things You Need To Know Today In Worcester - December 16th

  +Noon: Five Things to Do: Nellie McKay, "A Christmas Celtic Sojourn" and more ...

  +Noon: Leicester’s Jared Colby releases debut album with Second Spirit

  -Worcester residents sing Christmas carols for cancer patient in hospice (1:35). Article

  -Fiery crash in Oxford leads to investigation

  -Worcester restaurateur buys 3 parcels on Shrewsbury Street

  -Worcester bakery asks for community support in statewide gingerbread house competition

  -2 9th-graders in custody after alleged Worcester Tech shooting threat

  -Gun violence in Worcester looked at by teens: "All violence is a big deal"

  -Worcester city councilors turn away from facial recognition technology

  -Boston Globe: 2 Worcester City Councilors-elect among 4 reshaping politics in Worcester and Boston

  -Clark alumni make election history in Worcester

  -Diversity committee recommends Worcester leave civil service exam

  -Tribute to former English professor at Clark and Worcester State

  -Evanescence, Halestorm ready to rock Worcester in only New England stop

  -Songs to Get You Through the Holidays: Local favorites add tunes for your holiday playlist

  -Last Call: Anya Geist, student and author of "Born on the First of Two"

  -Listen Up: The Real Chris Kaz offers little comfort in "The Bed I Made"

  -Wachusett Wine & Spirits podcast (55:38): Whiskey Wednesday with special guest John Ellsessar

  -Radio Worcester's Worcester Wednesday with Mayor Petty (16:12): School safety plan, ARPA money and teacher pay 

  -ICYMI: Worcester police lead holiday parade to bring presents to local children with cancer

  -"Not a COVID or food poisoning issue": After people fall ill, popular Worcester restaurant closes for cleaning

  -See the rest of the day's Worcester news 

  -The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Father and daughter plan new venture after closing The Local in Holden

  -Grafton gets bit part in latest episode of "Dexter" on Showtime

  -Grafton Special Town Meeting will talk taxes for proposed Upton Street "village"

  -Millbury and Sutton will give Santa a ride through local neighborhoods this weekend

  -Southborough tech firm moves HQ to Northborough with $2.15 million purchase 

  -Sports: ECHL postpones Railers games through December 19th

  -Worcester Railers and booster club make donation to the Friendly House

  -Revamped St. John's hockey squad gets off to strong start

  -Bravehearts release 2022 schedule

  -Here's what Patriots's No. 1 seed chances would be with a win over Colts  

  -Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales

  -Cars: Happy Holidays from Bertera Nissan (2:04)

  -Take a look at new 2022 Four Winds RV now in at Fuller RV in Boylston

  -Business: UMass Memorial among plaintiffs suing over interpretation of surprising billing law

  -Stop & Shop payroll down after Kronos ransomware attack

  -Food: Minute Maid products recalled over concerns of metal pieces

  -Colleges: UMass Medical School researcher receives $150,000 to study lupus

  -WPI awarded $1 million for new R&D center 

  -National: Drawing bought for $30 is actually worth $50 million

  -N.J. woman who said she mistakenly shot husband charged with murder

  -New England: Man at work saves sleeping family when security app notifies him of fire at home

  -Investigators uncover elaborate marijuana grow operation after blaze rips through Foxboro home

  -Tragic: 5 children killed in fall from bouncy castle that was blown into air

  -Shopping/Deals: Holiday retail weaker than expected 

  -Homes: 5 open houses in Worcester 

  -TV/Streaming: "Dr. Oz" show ending next month amid host's senate run

  -Movies: "Spider-Man: No way home" set to dominate box office, nab highest opening of the pandemic 

  -Celebrity: Michele Tafoya out at "Sunday Night Football" after disastrous turn on "The View" 

  -Animals: 100 cats from tornado-struck Kentucky await adoption in Mass. 

  -Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Malden police surprise 6-year-old boy battling cancer 

  -Meanwhile, in Delaware, world's worst bank robber deposits stolen loot in bank's ATM during getaway 

  Latest obituaries |  | Wednesday highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports

  Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

  -UMass Medical School launches clinical trials of Moderna boosters

  -Dr. Fauci says boosters work against Omicron, no need for targeted vaccine

  -CDC guidelines for exposure: Timeline, quarantine, contagious period

  -U.S. faces a double surge as Omicron advances

  -Omicron is spreading faster than any other variant, WHO warns

  -ICYMI: Local doctor hopeful COVID becomes more like common cold

  -Mass. officials report 5,133 new cases and 27 additional deaths

  -Fenway Park mass vaccination site re-opening in January

  -"We need to update our playbook" for COVID, public health expert says

  -How reliable are home COVID tests?

  -Is it worth gathering for the holidays if not everyone is vaccinated? Experts weigh in