Highlights in The 016 Friday, December 17th

• Posted by 016 Administrator December 17, 2021 - Filed in News - 5,051 views

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  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?