Highlights in The 016 Friday, December 17th

• Posted by 016 Administrator December 17, 2021 - Filed in News - 4,600 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: Worcester tied record high of 58 yesterday, expects 2-3 inches of snow tomorrow

  +6:45: Tentative agreement to end strike at Saint Vincent Hospital

  +5:30: Schools in Central Mass. see drop in attendance amid school threats on TikTok, Snapchat

  +5:30: Worcester Bravehearts' "Jake's Fast Fifty," Episode 4 (4:49)

  +5:30: Dudley fire captain placed on administrative leave

  +5:30: $100,000 Mass Cash winner sold in North Brookfield

  +5:30: New movies on demand

  +Noon: Saint Vincent Hospital has paid nearly $4 million for police details as nurses’ strike nears 300 days

  +Noon: Worcester License Commission warns of increased date rape drug use

  +Noon: TGIF! Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making plans

  +Noon: 5 Things You Need To Know Today In Worcester - December 17th

  +Noon: 5 Great Ways to Spend Your Weekend in Worcester

  +Noon: Watching the city change: Turning 65 after a lifetime of living in Worcester

  +Noon: Artist Spotlight: Michael O'Connor

  +Noon: New movies and shows to watch this weekend

  -Worcester native arrested for trying to pass secrets to Russia

  -15 underage patrons found drinking at Worcester bar

  -48-unit Worcester complex sells for $6.6 million, to become luxury apartments

  -Local trainer, hockey coach help save student-athlete's life

  -Social media posts threaten schools in TikTok challenge

  -Related: Area police, schools note social media school threats

  -Related: Worcester, Shrewsbury, Grafton, Holden, Paxton among municipalities on alert

  -Police recover stolen car, arrest 26-year-old Worcester man

  -47-year-old Worcester man sentenced for drug distribution

  -Melissa Hunt-Deneault identified as Worcester woman killed in Grove Street crash

  -The scoop on Mrs. Moriconi's Ice Cream at Tatnuck Square

  -The Mayor’s Live Music List for Friday 

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

  -Leicester’s Jared Colby releases debut album with Second Spirit

  -Food: Food Hub member connecting people through cookie decorating

  -Tribute to a Worcester woman who was a foster parent for 25 years

  -Family's hilarious obituary for their "plus-sized Jewish lady redneck" mother goes viral

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

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

  -Worcester restaurateur buys 3 parcels on Shrewsbury Street

  -See the rest of the day's Worcester news 

  -The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Grafton PAYT bag fees will increase as of January 1st

  -Dudley firefighter is facing indecent assault charge after being accused of grabbing woman in a Cumberland Farms

  -Delaney's Coin Shop in Millbury conducting annual toy drive

  -Southbridge Innovation Center power plant sells for $5.5 million

  -Sports: Holy Cross coach Bob Chesney happy with new class

  -Related: Holy Cross football team adds 8 during early signing period 

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

  -Islanders beat Bruins, 3-1

  -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: U.S. jobless claims rise to a still-low 206,000

  -A key inflation measure just hit its highest level on record

  -Colleges: WPI receives $1.8 million in second tech manufacturing grant of the week

  -National: Judge rejects Purdue Pharma's sweeping opioid settlement

  -Evictions on the rise months after federal moratorium ends

  -New England: Doctor arrested in death of Boston delivery truck driver shot, killed in Vermont

  -Mass. jewelry stores targeted in smash-and-grab robberies

  -Tragic: 27 people feared dead in Japan office building fire 

  -Shopping/Deals: Shop Best Buy's flash sale: deals on home gyms, TVs and more 

  -Homes: 5 new houses for sale in Worcester

  -Movies: Movies coming out on Christmas Day 

  -Celebrity: Peloton scraps Chris Noth ad after sexual assault allegations

  -Jeff Garlin leaves "The Goldbergs" after misconduct allegations 

  -Animals: Brave puppy is so determined to run (3:10) 

  -Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Indian woman learns to read at age 104, fulfills lifelong dream 

  -Meanwhile, in Amesbury, deer crashes through CBD store (1:16)

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

  Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  +5:30: City of Worcester to give home test to anyone who receives vaccination or booster tomorrow

  +5:30: A COVID "viral blizzard" is about to hit the U.S., expert says

  +5:30: Study shows reinfection 5 times more likely with Omicron

  +Noon: How Worcester residents can get free at-home tests

  +Noon: NHL postpones Saturday’s Bruins-Canadiens game

  -Worcester to distribute over 135,000 rapid at-home tests on Friday

  -Dr. Fauci: Omicron variant will be dominant U.S. strain "very soon"

  -Is Omicron more widespread in Massachusetts than we're being told?

  -High demand for booster shots as Christmas nears (1:38)

  -Updated case numbers for every city, town in Worcester County

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

  -Mass. officials report nearly 6,000 new cases, 30 additional deaths as positivity rate ticks up

  -Mass. officials report more than 8,000 new cases among students, staff

  -Entertainment, sports industries feeling pressure of another surge

  -Mass. lawmakers, health care leaders discuss solutions to curb pandemic after 'terrifying increase" on cases

  -Doctors give advice on how to stay safe during holidays

  -CDC predicts 1.3 million new cases by Christmas

  -Holiday party risks? Mixing boosters?