Highlights in The 016 Wednesday, December 29th

• Posted by 016 Administrator December 29, 2021 - Filed in News - 2,369 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:

  Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  +6:00: THURSDAY! Additional date for testing in Downtown Worcester

  +6:00: Mayor Petty encourages vaccines, boosters as city sees highest case numbers yet (:25)

  +6:00: Worcester sees "amazing" number of new cases

  +6:00: Booster shots to be required for Worcester city employees by February 1st

  +6:00: Worcester limits crowds at school sporting events to only parents, siblings

  +6:00: Mass. officials report more than 15,000 new cases as positivity rate tops 13 percent

  +6:00: Mass. schools receive 200,000 at-home tests for staff

  +6:00: Doctor explains accuracy, effectiveness of PCR, rapid tests

  +Noon: Free testing by appointment for families in Worcester Public Schools, but you must have symptoms

  +Noon: U.S. hits record average of daily new cases

  -Get a free rapid test in Worcester at a vaccination clinic

  -Vaccincation/booster clinics this week at Worcester Senior Center

  -Added protection in Worcester schools following holiday vacation

  -January will be "a really, really hard month" as Omicron fuels spike in infections, expert says

  -Worcester County cases increased by 5,141 this week

  -ICYMI: "We're just going nonstop": Long line for testing in Worcester (1:35). Article

  -Mass. reports more than 20,000 new breakthrough cases, 70 additional deaths among vaccinated residents

  -Mass. isn’t seeing the spike in kids’ COVID hospitalizations other states are

  -UMass requiring booster shots for all students, faculty and staff

  -COVID vs. cold symptoms: When should you go to the hospital?

  -South Africa study suggests Omicron infection could boost immunity

  -New Year’s Eve plans in limbo with cases rising

  -What should you do if you test positive or were exposed during the holidays? 

  In The News

  -Latest weather: Clouds linger, mild temps through Friday

  +6:00: 216-unit apartment building proposed on Hemans Street in Worcester

  +6:00: Ghislaine Maxwell convicted of helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls

  +Noon: After the death of Worcester Christmas Carol Mom, family seeks help

  +Noon: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - December 29th

  +Noon: New Year's Eve plans? Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands

  +Noon: Remembering First Night Worcester on what would have been its 40th year

  +Noon: Five Things to Do: Twiddle, New Year's at the EcoTarium and more ....

  +Noon: Last Call with Nick Austin, commercial actor

  -Downtown Worcester restaurant development listed for sale for $5.7 million

  -Bakery set to open new location in Worcester by end of January

  -Worcester meat shop asks state to reverse local liquor license denial

  -Worcester Walgreens property sells for $8.8 million

  -Residents want to halt Brattle Stop plans

  -Multiple vehicles hit by gunfire on Stockton Street in Worcester

  -Wanted man found with gun in Worcester

  -Man eyed in Worcester killing is ordered to provide DNA

  -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 Wednesday

  -Ed Humphries’ newest play, "Dad's Dance," set for Gateway Players in February

  -Rosalie Tirella: Worcester, we must not become indifferent to our homeless neighbors

  -Worcester Common Oval ice skating open for extended hours this week

  -Worcester Fire Department hockey team traveling to Toledo to play charity game

  -Great Brook Valley residents say improved park, after-school programs would benefit city youth 

  -Tribute to an avid knitter and crocheter who created thousands of beautiful projects over the years 

  -ICYMI: Proposed Worcester development dramatically reduced in size

  -62-year-old man hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after pedestrian crash in Worcester

  -Reminder: No delay in trash and recycling pickup this week in Worcester

  -See the rest of the day's Worcester news

  -The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Sutton farm owner faces "constant damage" from increased traffic

  -Former Sutton Veterans Services officer close to opening gun shop

  -Local Boy Scout troops to hold Christmas tree pickup drives

  -Northborough tech CEO buys $3 million apartments next to HQ

  -Friends of Shrewsbury Senior Center plan ventriloquist show

  -Driver escapes injury after truck crashes through guardrail in Hubbardston

  -Worcester area couple married 74 years dies a day apart 

  -Sports: How will the Patriots respond after back-to-back losses? 

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

  -All-Star 1B/DH Gavin Noriega returning to Bravehearts

  -Brad Marchand criticizes NHL for pulling out of 2022 Olympics

  -Several former Worcester hockey pros near the top of their leagues at the Christmas break

  -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 company added to NASDAQ Biotech Index

  -3-month free DGC Gratitude Program begins January 1st 

  -Local distributor says draft beer sales rebounded in 2021

  -National: Harry Reid, former Senate majority leader, dies at 82 

  -New England: Maine man sentenced for manslaughter in wife’s strangulation

  -Shopping/Deals: Shop Best Buy's New Year's savings event 

  -Homes: The weirdest homes for sale in 2021 

  -New on DVD: Wes Anderson reports in with "French Dispatch"

  -Celebrity: NFL legend John Madden dies at 85

  -Animals: See dogs, cats & more available for adoption in the Worcester area 

  -Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Salvation Army bell ringer marked 49th year of service 

  -Meanwhile, in Dallas, Santa ejected for fighting at Cowboys game