Highlights in The 016 Thursday, December 16th

• Posted by 016 Administrator December 16, 2021 - Filed in News - 2,818 views

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  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