Make the016.com a preferred choice with Google by clicking here 
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:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
-Worcester’s Medical Director anticipates "rough 6 weeks" as cases soar
-Central Mass. hospital beds fill with COVID patients
-Safety protocols in place for churchgoers to celebrate Christmas Mass
-UMass Medical School professor co-authors study on convalescent plasma on COVID patients
-ICYMI: Positive tests continue to increase in Worcester schools
-Omicron less likely to put you in the hospital, studies say
-Mass. officials report more than 9,000 new cases, 47 additional deaths as positivity rate tops 7.5 percent
-Over 10,000 in Massachusetts schools test positive in last week
-CDC cuts quarantine time for health care workers with negative test
-Etiquette expert offers tips for tricky holiday change of plan conversations
In The News
-Latest weather: Snow and freezing rain this morning in Worcester
+Noon: Fire officials urge caution after car rolls over in Westborough
+Noon: Worcester Arts Magnet School Winter Concert 2021 (29:10)
+Noon: Vernon Hill School Winter Concert 2021 (35:24)
+Noon: NORAD Tracks Santa celebrates 65 years of documenting Santa’s flight
+Noon: Allocated whiskies on sale at Wachusett Wine & Spirits' Worcester location. No phone calls or online orders
-2-alarm fire at Chandler Street three-decker in Worcester
-Worcester police turn to public for help in search for missing 14-year-old
-Father denies bringing gun to Doherty High
-Gourmet donut shop to open new location in Downtown Worcester
-Thursday: Worcester bakery sold to sisters, employees
-Phantom Gourmet visits Central Mass. restaurant (5:15)
-What caused deaths of Alicia Witt's parents? Here's what's known
-Saint Vincent replacement nurses file petition to decertify union
-Worcester Planning Board OKs site plan for redevelopment of former Boys Club at Lincoln Square
-NEW Wachusett Wine & Spirits podcast (30:19): Whiskey Wednesday Christmas
-A musical holiday treat from Mauro and Peter DePasquale (1:58)
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for Friday
-These are the most streamed Christmas songs on Spotify by state
-Worcesteria: A wish for the New Year – We all deserve to be seen
-Ray Mariano: My Christmas gift list for Worcester leaders
-Radio Worcester (11:12): Worcester NAACP President Fred Taylor talks School Committee district representation
-Tribute to genealogy buff and longtime Worcester elementary school teacher
-What's open and closed on Christmas
-Reminder: Worcester trash and recycling to be on normal schedule the next 2 weeks
-ICYMI: Body of missing man with dementia found in Lake Quinsigamond (:21). Article
-11 people hospitalized, including 8 UMass Memorial employees, after crash involving parking-garage shuttle. Video (:51)
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Santa takes a trial run through Princeton with fire department
-Paxton tax rate drops; bills average $124 increase
-Rite Aid property in Clinton sells for $3 million
-Advice from Grafton Police Chief: Know what you’re getting from your gift card
-West Brookfield driver arrested after police find gun from 1800s
-Pepperell man helps others through Ducks for Cancer
-Sports: How the Patriots can clinch a playoff berth — and the AFC East — in Week 16
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-Holy Cross's Jacobs Dobbs named All-American
-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: Worcester energy company announces new solar technology
-Consumer prices up 5.7% over past year, fastest rise in 39 years
-U.S. jobless claims unchanged at 205,000
-National: Flight cancellations among Delta, United, JetBlue mount
-Kim Potter guilty of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright
-Tragic: 14-year-old bystander fatally shot by L.A. police inside dressing room
-Shopping/Deals: Women-owned wine retailer debuts in Worcester
-Health: More tinsel, less tension: How to weed out the stress of the holiday season
-Food: Dole recalls packaged salads distributed in Mass.
-Homes: 3 new properties for sale in Worcester
-TV/Streaming: New on Hulu in January
-Audi surprises "Wheel of Fortune" contestant who lost car prize on stupid technicality
-Movies: "The Tender Bar" with George Clooney and Ben Affleck opens this week
-Celebrity: Joan Didion, peerless prose stylist, dies at 87
-Animals: Adoption Option: WARL gives thanks for support
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): 11-year-old honored for saving 2 lives in the same day
-Meanwhile, in California, shocking video shows thief stealing Santa Claus display
Latest obituaries | | Thursday highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:35). High of 81 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Environmental groups launch boycott of Polar Beverages
-New lead detective hopes to solve Molly Bish case, as murder hits 26 years
-Rutland disables social media comments amid tension, staff cuts
-Worcester parents demand money for books rather than iPads in schools
-Worcester outpatient rehab center opens on Elm Street
-2 from Worcester charged among 15 in federal benefit fraud sweep
-Free bus service to Worcester airport extended
-Worcester County Wonders: The survival of the Sir Vival
-Man convicted of killing Trooper George Hanna denied parole (:29)
-Radio Worcester (22:58): Thrive Support & Advocacy celebrates awards & growth
-Worcester Guardian Week in Review
>FAITH: Former mechanic to be ordained a priest
>DINING OUT: Airport Seafood & Grille ready for takeoff in Southbridge
-The 30 best ice cream shops in Massachusetts, ranked
-ICYMI: Child hospitalized after falling out of second-story window in Worcester (:14). Article
-Local family loses mother, daughter less than 2 weeks apart
-Worcester couple’s sex trafficking conviction in doubt after judge’s gift to victim revealed
-Worcester considers eliminating parking minimums to make way for more housing
-Missing pet tortoise returns to Worcester home after 3-day A.W.O.L.
-$1 million lottery ticket sold in Worcester
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Holden Bandstand Concert Series 6 to 8 Sunday
-Lamoureux Ford wins record 29th Ford President's Award (4:16)
-July Among Friends senior newsletter
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Lost dog found in Leicester
-Oakham battery storage facility gets state OK. Residents call it a "nightmare"
-100 FM The Pike (9:21): Westborough officer Ashlyn Mercier crowned Miss Mass.
-"Armed person in crisis" expected to face charges after discharging firearms from Princeton residence
-Southbridge keeps last call at 2 a.m., rejects state's 3 a.m. bar pilot
-Cumberland Farms in Blackstone sells $1 million winning ticket
-From petroleum to pollinators: Oxford project moves forward
-Closing West Brookfield Elementary School graduates its final class
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Saturday
-Jazzed Up (Duo) Saturday at Val's in Holden
>SHOWTIME: Things to do: Blues with JC Smith, Colonail Charlton, Out to Lunch ...
-Pulse Magazine Weekend Guide (:25)
-See Studio Theater Worcester's "Superhero" this weekend
-Explore, create & connect at the Worcester Center for Crafts
>OPINION: WCCA-TV's Close To Home No. 604 (29:07)
-100 FM The Pike (18:54): Ask The City Manager: Scots, swans and cleaning up the city
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (26:13): Housing, rent control and Worcester's future
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to a reading specialist for the Worcester Public Schools
>SPORTS: Patriots quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant helps motivate Fitchburg football team
-Ranking the 25 most important Patriots for 2026: Nos. 5 through 1
-Worcester's Aaron Nkrumah joins Denver Nuggets
-2 teams emerging as Jaylen Brown trade rumors swirl
-Team U.S.A remains in high spirits despite falling to Türkiye
-Red Sox beat Yankees, 6-1
-Bravehearts beat Lowell, 4-2
-Win WooSox tickets courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-WooSox fall to Toledo, 13-1
>NATIONAL: Grandmother may be "involved" in deaths of grandchildren: Police
-America's 10 friendliest states
-Tragic: Army veteran suffers vicious road-rage attack as he claims suspect thought he was driving too slow
>NEW ENGLAND: Man allegedly stabbed father 20 times in daytime murder at park (1:04)
-Former Mass. orthopedic surgeon sentenced to prison for rape (2:13)
-Another resignation, criminal referral tied to Mass. D.O.T. overtime scandal (1:40)
>COLLEGES: What student loan borrowers need to know before switching from the S.A.V.E. Plan
-WPI researchers develop system to customize hydrogel implants
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): The strange item now banned by Southwest Airlines
-This helpful hack saves on airport parking fees
>BUSINESS: How much water does A.I. really use?
-Local bank adds Sutton C.P.A. and entrepreneur to board of directors
-Business name disputes in Massachusetts
>SHOPPING: How scammers are using fake shopping websites to trick you (2:13)
>HOMES: 3 common laundry habits that may be wearing out your clothes
>HEALTH: 18 kids’ undiagnosable diseases solved by A.I.: "Total game changer"
>FOOD: Elevate your sips and snacks this summer (4:00)
>TV/STREAMING: What to watch this weekend: Top movies on Netflix and best shows on HBO
-Teaser for new Netflix series with Will Ferrell, "The Hawk" (1:44)
>MOVIES: New movies on streaming: "Tuner," "Power Ballad" and more
>CELEBRITY: Is Taylor Swift getting married in Rhode Island? Every clue becomes a wedding rumor in small beach town (:21). Article
-"Lilo & Stitch" actress Daveigh Chase reportedly had millions in residuals at time of death
>ANIMALS: Couple realizes coyote following them isn't what it seems (4:00)
>HISTORY: Black patriots finally get their place in history (3:15)
>GOOD NEWS: Conjoined twins separated after 19 months see each other for first time
-Meanwhile, filmmakers claim they've caught America's Loch Ness Monster on video: "My eyes were popping out"
Latest obituaries | | Friday's Highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | Help Wanted | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather
