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Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+Noon: Gov. Baker restricts all non-urgent surgeries at Massachusetts hospitals
+Noon: Baker to activate 500 members of National Guard to aid hospitals, ambulance providers
-President to announce plan to mail 500 million free rapid tests to Americans next month
-Worcester testing: Hours for Christmas, New Year's
-Downtown Worcester site sees uptick in testing ahead of holiday
-Radio Worcester (7:39): Worcester Medical Director Dr. Michael Hirsh talks Omicron, vaccinations and the holidays
-Study reveals top 5 symptoms of Omicron variant
-WHO director recommends canceling holiday events as Omicron spreads
-Virus fears widen as Omicron becomes dominant in U.S.
-The U.S. could be in store for a "grim beginning" to the new year
-Mass. DPH report shows COVID 5 times more likely for unvaccinated
-97% of Massachusetts breakthrough cases were not hospitalized, DPH says
-Patriots place 4 players on reserve/COVID list ahead of showdown with Bills
-ICYMI: WPI and Clark requiring boosters for all students and faculty
-Voice of UMass podcast (26:54): What does it take to persuade people to get vaccinated?
-Mass. officials report more than 13,000 new cases over 3-day period as hospitalizations top 1,500
-Moderna says current booster dose is effective against Omicron variant
-How effective are vaccines against the Omicron variant?
In The News
-Latest weather: Light freezing rain possible overnight tonight into tomorrow
+6:00: Parents of actress found dead in their Worcester home
+6:00: Judge who ruled City of Worcester broke the law again considers forcing city to pay damages
+6:00: St. Vincent Hospital nurses hope their union victory sets a workplace standard for essential workers
+6:00: City Council expected to send School Committee election petition to legislature
+6:00: Wachusett Wine & Spirits' podcast (1:09:14): Top 5 Whiskies of 2021
+6:00: Five Things to Do: PnB Rock, Roomful of Blues and ways to celebrate New Year's Eve
+6:00: Four Year Strong returns to Palladium for holiday show
+Noon: Nurses set January 3rd vote to end Saint Vincent strike
+Noon: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - December 21st
+Noon: Radio Worcester (17:24): Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus talks school safety, nurses strike, COVID and testing
+Noon: Janice Harvey: These are tough times to be a teacher
+Noon: Winter solstice: Why it happens and how we celebrate the first day of winter
-Worcester mill could be renovated into 18-unit apartment complex
-No arrests in December 8th shooting deaths of Marcus Thidodeau and James Johnson
-Man accused of bringing handgun into Worcester high school ordered held without bail
-Radio Worcester (4:51): Worcester School Committee member Laura Clancey on Doherty High gun incident
-Worcester workers have bargaining power, expect higher wages during pandemic
-Food: No matter how you slice it, Worcester gets good ranking among pizza places
-ICYMI: Amazon's 4-star store and family of fallen Worcester officer team up to prevent future tragedies
-Coffee and dessert bar opens on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for Tuesday
-Worcester Art Museum exhibit eyes firefighters of feudal Japan
-NEW: Wachusett Wine & Spirits' Top 20 Whiskies of 2021, Nos. 6-10. Earlier: Nos. 11-20
-City Council Preview for December 21st
-Tribute to a "funny, gregarious, and compassionate" pharmacist and Mason
-Reminder: Worcester trash and recycling to be on normal schedule the next 2 weeks
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): The ribbon is finally cut on the Grafton Public Library
-Why are Grafton's PAYT bag fees increasing? An explainer
-Brierly Pond Condominium residents donate to Worcester refugee program
-Shrewsbury schools talk next steps with limited space at Assabet
-Sunday in Sutton included a visit from Santa and Scrooge
-Hudson earns title of "Best Main Street in America"
-Sports: Men's basketball player Caleb Kenney named Hilton Garden Inn Crusader of the Week
-Boston Globe: How Brian Kelly’s path to the top of college football began at Assumption
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-Worcester Hockey Alumni highlights, week 10
-WooSox manager prepares for season
-76ers beat Celtics, 108-103
-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: WBJ's 22 people you should meet in 2022
-Pace shrinks, but Mass. economy still growing
-National: Missing Utah college student found alive in man's basement
-New England: Woman's body found inside burning camper in Manchester, N.H.
-Cohasset woman to be charged for hosting underage drinking party
-Tragic: Australia bouncy castle tragedy claims 6th child after 11-year-old dies in hospital
-Shopping/Deals: With most shipping deadlines passed, here are your options for holiday delivery
-Homes: 3 new houses in Worcester on the market
-Health: Feeling lonely? Go for a walk in the woods, science says
-TV/Streaming: New on Disney Plus in January
-Celebrity: Leonardo DiCaprio jumped into frozen lake to save his dogs
-Animals: Dog chases car asking to be rescued (3:06)
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Mom does good deeds to honor son who died at 1 month (2:34)
-Meanwhile, in British Columbia, family's Rudolph decoration repeatedly attacked by real deer
Latest obituaries | | Monday highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
In The News
>WEATHER: Last day of oppressive heat, high feels like 95 to 100 today in Worcester
-Cooling centers open today in Worcester; water available
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+6:00: Mass. names Worcester 1 of 78 Housing Choice Communities
+6:00: Here's when Disney on Ice will skate into Worcester
+6:00: Bill Ballou on baseball
+Noon: Camels as pets? Meet Phil and RJ of Grafton
+Noon: Old Sturbridge Village to host Redcoats and Rebels for 250th anniversary
+Noon: Texas country band Flatland Cavalry heading to Indian Ranch in Webster
+Noon: Listen Up: Chill out for summer with Caylin Costello, D-Tension songs
+Noon: Last Call: Catherine Zebrowski, writer and musician
-13-year-old girl reported missing in Worcester
-U.S. News: UMass Memorial Medical Center is a top Mass. hospital, best in Worcester
-Can you help Worcester police ID these road-rage suspects?
-2 Shrewsbury men arrested in Boston prostitution sting
-Community rallies to help Leicester girl, hospitalized for year with cancer, celebrate birthday
-Algae treatment planned for Coes Reservoir, Indian Lake on Thursday
-Worcester school jobs saved as administration releases education funding
-Worcester elderly apartments sold for $17 million
-More body camera footage released of Eureka Street I.C.E. incident. Here's what it shows
-What's the best way to enjoy summer in Worcester County? Vote in round 3
-5 places to get out on the water in Central Mass. this summer
-Worcester African Festival returns for third year
-Interested in becoming a Worcester Police Officer? (:47)
-Radio Worcester (22:34): Commissioner Rob Antonelli on Worcester’s parks progress, priorities and planning
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (47:21): When immigration enforcement meets local politics
>DINING OUT (brought to you by Patsie Dugan's): Nan Xiang Express set to come to Shrewsbury
-ICYMI: Good Samaritan helps out driver in Worcester crash
-Downtown Worcester apartments at center of CitySquare redevelopment sold for $122 million
-2 Central Mass. women die in Old Orchard Beach, Maine camper explosion (2:15). Article
-"My baby!": Newly released body cam video shows new insight into Worcester I.C.E. arrest
-Worcester police arrest 3 juveniles after gun found in car
-Millbury police arrest 3 Worcester men in separate thefts
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Eagle Lake still closed for swimming
-Long term employees make Lamoureux Ford special (3:50)
-This week's road closure and traffic delays
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): bankHometown consolidating Webster branches
-Clinton man accused of using pudding barcode taped around finger to steal $40 of groceries
-Item photos: Young "royals" get ready for Fancy Nancy Tea Party
-Drive-throughs targeted in West Boylston as new Dunkin's gets variance
-Lancaster administrator sets directions for now
-Shrewsbury High’s Chemistry Club brings science to elementary schools
-Spencer Selectmen talk evaluation, criteria for E.M.S. request for proposals
-Former Templeton administrator warns select board of 9C cuts, hiring woes, and out-of-class pay risks
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Wednesday
-Jazzed Up Trio 6 to 8 Wednesday at 961 at Union Station
>SHOWTIME: Worcester writers bring the drama in summer showcase
-Destiny's Child reunites onstage for first time in 7 years at Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" finale
-Hanover Theatre takes over full management of the J.M.A.C.
-W.S.C. Stay Connected (1:01:31): A Tribute to the Beatles by the Hip Swayers, Stomp N' Holler, Hit the Bus
>OPINION: Worcesteria: How low can it go? Dry spell dries up Elm Park's ponds
-Margaret Smith: For a Catholic fan, Ozzy's life and lyrics strike a holy note
-What's Up Worcester's Minute with Meagan (15:24): Jenny Gaul, Executive Director, Joy of Music Program (JOMP)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to a Worcester native who ran a home daycare for over 20 years
>SPORTS: Christian Gonzalez injury to sideline Patriots cornerback for "a bit"
-How Kayshon Boutte has impressed so far at Patriots training camp
-Red Sox beat Twins, 8-5
-Bravehearts beat New Britain, 3-2 . Next home game: 6:30 Wednesday. Buy tickets here
-Holy Cross Athletics (1:57): Get to know Coach Bryan Robbat
-WooSox beat IronPigs, 7-5
-King of the Court basketball tournament debuts at Worcester parks
>NATIONAL: 8.8-magnitude earthquake sends tsunami into coasts of Russia, Japan and Alaska
-Ghislaine Maxwell will plead the Fifth in House testimony — unless demands are met: defense lawyer
-ChatGPT passes the "I'm not a robot" test — a "terrifying" step toward developing a mind of its own
>TRAGIC: Toddler dies after "slipping" from dad’s arms on water slide
>NEW ENGLAND: Powerful moment for Mass. family who was forced to live in park (2:16). Article
-Intruder bathed, slept, ate & stole while Boston family was away on vacation (3:45)
>COLLEGES: Q.C.C. president pushes for faculty pay hikes
-WPI researcher tackles water treatment woes with battery tech
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Inside the "arms race" to win the new luxury cruise ship market
>BUSINESS: Highlights from A.A.R.P.'s 99 ways to save money (1:46)
-LPL Financial Research: Economy in uncharted waters
-Report: Small size of Mass. sports betting industry limiting opportunities for minorities, women and veterans
>SHOPPING: When do Spirit Halloween stores open this year? Here's our guess
>HEALTH: Police, doctors warn of e-bike dangers as use skyrockets in Mass.
-Researchers say some artificial sweeteners could impact brain (:53)
-COVID barely detectable in wastewater, but is it time to celebrate? (2:15). Article
>FOOD: Greek Chicken Salad Bowls
>TV/STREAMING: Robin Roberts reveals why she’s been absent from "GMA"
>MOVIES: 40 best needle drops in movies of all time
>CELEBRITY: Tom Cruise, Ana de Armas attend Oasis show — after band roasted actor
-Justin Baldoni breaks social media silence to celebrate milestone with wife amid Blake Lively legal battle
>ANIMALS: 14-year-old dog dumped at shelter gets a ton of new siblings (1:40)
>HISTORY: Then & Now: Grafton Street, Worcester
>GOOD NEWS: Woman found alive 9 months after vanishing near Death Valley
-Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, polite black bear stuns homeowners after ringing doorbell before exploring hot tub
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