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Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:00: Get a free rapid test in Worcester at vaccination clinic
+6:00: January will be "a really, really hard month" as Omicron fuels spike in infections, expert says
+6:00: South Africa study suggests Omicron infection could boost immunity
+2:00: What should you do if you test positive or were exposed during the holidays?
+2:00: Worcester County cases increased by 5,141 this week
-"We're just going nonstop": Long line for testing in Worcester (1:35). Article
-Vaccincation/booster clinics this week at Worcester Senior Center. Walk-up testing and vaccinations at Mercantile Center in Worcester
-Wednesday's Bruins-Senators game latest to be postponed
-ICYMI: Omicron is latest blow to pandemic-weary front-line workers
-Massachusetts averaged 4,327 cases since Friday as state nears 1 million-case milestone
-Dr. Fauci recommends avoiding large gatherings on New Year’s Eve
-Connecticut to distribute at-home tests, N95 masks
-CDC recommends shorter isolation and quarantine periods for all
-Doctor reacts to CDC's updated quarantine guidance
-Face masks and Omicron: What to know about cloth, surgical, N95 and KN95 masks
In The News
-Latest weather: Freezing rain this morning yields to unseasonably mild, high of 43 today in Worcester
+6:00: Worcester Walgreens property sells for $8.8 million
+6:00: Great Brook Valley residents say improved park, after-school programs would benefit city youth
+2:00: Downtown Worcester restaurant development listed for sale for $5.7 million
+2:00: Residents call for council to nix zoning change for Brattle Stop in Worcester
+2:00: Worcester company added to NASDAQ Biotech Index
+2:00: Wanted man found with gun in Worcester
+2:00: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - December 28th
+2:00: Driver escapes injury after truck crashes through guardrail in Hubbardston
+2:00: Ed Humphries’ newest play, "Dad's Dance," set for Gateway Players in February
-Proposed Worcester development dramatically reduced in size
-62-year-old man hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after pedestrian crash in Worcester
-Saint Vincent Hospital reopens 12 behavioral health beds as nurses strike approaches possible end (:25). Article
-Mass. restaurants bring back igloos for winter dining; here’s where to find them
-Worcester area couple married 74 years dies a day apart
-City Clerk's office at 801 Main Street closed through January 7th because of staffing issues
-Fun violations of Worcester’s municipal ordinances
-New: Wachusett Wine & Spirits' podcast (1:09:14): Top 5 Whiskies of 2021. Earlier: Nos. 6-10, Nos. 11-20.
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for Tuesday
-WCCA-TV's ''Coffee with Konnie" (29:38): Jo and Huck Truesdell, Tidewater Books
-WCCA-TV's "Ramona Interviews" (29:15): Ralph Shapiro, President, Retired Men's Club of Greendale
-Tribute to a member of the last class of St. Stephen's High School who worked for the same company for 46 years
-Reminder: No delay in trash and recycling pickup this week in Worcester
-Top 10 worst products for Mass. consumers in 2021
-ICYMI: Man shot multiple times on Christmas morning in Worcester, police investigating
-UMass Memorial delivers 8 babies on Christmas Day (:25). Article
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Shrewsbury school operates food pantry for area families
-GoFundMe created for retired Grafton police sergeant whose home was damaged in Christmas Day blaze
-Holden election nomination papers available January 4th
-Sports: Updated AFC standings, playoff scenarios after Week 16
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-Bravehearts sponsor Baseball at the Oval skating today on Worcester Common
-Bravehearts bring back Joe Pesce for 4th season (:18)
-ECHL postpones Railers game Monday night
-Worcester Hockey Alumni highlights, week 11
-Timberwolves 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: Mass. minimum wage increases with start of new year
-3-month free DGC Gratitude Program begins January 1st
-Colleges: Holy Cross examines the sites on campus once occupied by the Nipmuc in documentary
-National: Shooter kills 4, injures officer in Denver area, police say
-Man fatally shoots his grandmother, father’s girlfriend as family exchanges Christmas gifts, police say
-Death of teen killed by stray cop bullet at Burlington Coat Factory is ruled a homicide
-New England: Man charged with wrong-way driving with unrestrained child in front seat
-Mass. not shut down, but slowing down
-Tragic: Texas kids found alone on Christmas after parents' murder-suicide
-Shopping/Deals: Best Amazon deals you can still score after Christmas
-Health: Flu is making a comeback in U.S. after an unusual year off
-Homes: The weirdest homes for sale in 2021
-TV/Streaming: The 5 worst TV shows of 2021
-Celebrity: Oliva Munn and John Mulaney share first photo of newborn son
-Animals: Goats at this Gardner farm will eat your Christmas tree for you
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Nurse goes beyond duty and rescues a hospitalized patient's dog from the shelter
-Meanwhile, Scotland to pardon 3,837 innocent "witches" — 300 years later
Latest obituaries | | Monday highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (1:27). High of 48 today in Worcester
-How much total snow is Massachusetts forecast to get this winter? (6:11). Article
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+Noon: Neighbors shocked after woman killed in Worcester shooting; man also injured (1:46). Article
-Earlier: Woman dead, man injured in Worcester shooting (:59). Article
+Noon: Sarah Connell Sanders: "Compassionate care" is front and center at UMass' Maternity Center
+Noon: Stolen stained-glass window returned to Worcester Art Museum
+Noon: Magic of "The Nutcracker" ballet is returning to Worcester
+Noon: Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making weekend plans
+Noon: New shows and movies to watch this weekend
-John Piccolo, popular Worcester restaurant owner, charged in City Hall attack
-Earlier: Activist sprayed with paint outside City Council meeting; suspect is Worcester restaurateur (2:10). Article
-Tensions boil over as Worcester board grills developer over Polar Park project delays
-Earlier: Worcester councilors frustrated by stalled plans for development around Polar Park
-To meet housing crisis, report finds Gateway Cities need twice as much construction
-Former District 1 City Councilor Sean Rose announces at-large run
-18 months after surprise inspection, Community Healthlink not back to normal operations
-76 become new citizens at naturalization ceremony in Worcester
-Losses mourned, lives celebrated at emotional Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony
-Mass. says some police officers have been bypassing required training (3:06). Article
-Earlier: Worcester probing 27 officers state says fast-forwarded mandatory online training
-Worcester County Wonders: Shrewsbury woman rescues raptors one feather at a time
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (24:35): Breaking down the Polar Park deficit
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (48:19): Polar Park, tax rolls and deportation debate
>DINING OUT: Brazillian Burguer to open at former Shrewsbury Street donut shop
-ICYMI: Worcester-area Stop & Shop inventory limited after cyberattack
-David Crowley, part of family that runs Wachusett Mountain, dies at 69
-Man in late 60s, 2 cats killed in early morning condo fire in Leominster
-Charles Luster, co-founder of Uncommonwealth Group, running for Worcester City Council
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Holden tax rate drops, bills rise
-Long-term employees make it fun to own a car or truck from Lamoureux Ford (3:50)
-Wachusett Echo Teacher Profile: Chelsea Blasco
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Shrewsbury seeks plow drivers for winter season
-Grafton tax rate down, values up for fiscal 2025
-Board approves single tax rate for all types of property for Sutton
-The Item's calendar of events
-Clinton E.L.P.A.C. hosts holiday family potluck
-2 Berlin firefighters graduate from academy
-Nashoba Class of 2004 to hold 20-year reunion on November 29th
-Organization gets federal grant for new grocery store in Winchendon
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Five Things to Do: African Talent, "Songs of the Season," and more
-Fractal Tribe art collective set to bring light to holiday festival
-Hunting phantoms, talking puppets bring humor to stage Friday and Saturday
-Jim & Val bring Second Saturdays to Apple Tree Arts
-WCCA-TV's Soapbox No. 1354 (28:06): Mark Henderson, Founder, The 016
-39th annual meeting of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau (54:58)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester woman who was a longtime kindergarten teacher
>SPORTS: Boston Celtics visit the White House (12:33)
-Patriots owner Robert Kraft snubbed again in Hall of Fame bid (2:22). Article
-Bruins beat Utah, 1-0
-2004 Boston Red Sox ring and World Series trophy owned by Larry Lucchino featured in upcoming auction
-Joe Nugent steps up for Crusaders men's basketball team
-Holy Cross women’s basketball announces 3 signings
-Check out the schedule for upcoming road races in Central Mass.
>NATIONAL: Are future Social Security benefits in peril?
-Up to 20 human skulls found in New Mexico home
-Tragic: Missing boy with autism found dead
>NEW ENGLAND: Worker injured during "supermove" in medically induced coma with third-degree burns
>COLLEGES: Assumption names new chief financial officer
-Worcester State Magazine’s special 150th anniversary issue hits the stands, goes live online
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 7 of the most beautiful places to visit in the Pacific Northwest
>BUSINESS: Central Mass. unemployment rates remain higher than 2023
-LPL Financial Research: Trade, tariffs and inflation
-Unity Radio's L.A.B.O. News (57:40)
>HOMES: What $350,000 can buy you in Worcester County, November 10th to 16th
>SHOPPING: Amazon Haul — What to know about Amazon's new discount store
>HEALTH: Health officials track increases in whooping cough, pneumonia (2:31)
-A few hours of activity a week can lower your risk of A-fib (:58)
>FOOD: How to stay safe during foodborne illness outbreaks (2:16)
>TV/STREAMING: "Jeopardy" contestant’s heart-wrenching interview leaves Ken Jennings speechless
>MOVIES: Matthew McConaughey reveals why he turned down $15 million role
>CELEBRITY: Jussie Smollett’s conviction in 2019 attack on himself is overturned
>HISTORY: Founded in Boston, Staples ushered in era of office supply superstores
>ANIMALS: Cyclist finds puppy in the middle of nowhere (2:08)
>GOOD NEWS: Man discovers owner of his favorite bakery is his birth mother
-Meanwhile, in Miami, woman delivers baby at airport in American Airlines ticketing area
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
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