Highlights in The 016 Thursday, December 30th

• Posted by 016 Administrator December 30, 2021 - Filed in News - 1,897 views

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  Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:

  Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  +6:00: U.S. children hospitalized with COVID in near-record numbers

  +6:00: As U.S. hits record high case numbers, expert says omicron surge is "unlike anything we've ever seen"

  -THURSDAY! Additional date for testing in Downtown Worcester

  -Vaccination clinic 3-6 today at YMCA on Main Street in Worcester

  -Amid surge, Downtown Worcester restaurant closes until January 5th

  -UMass Memorial CEO: Peak of hospitalizations coming by second week of January

  -Worcester officials announce booster mandate for city employees (1:27)

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

  -Worcester sees "amazing" number of new cases

  -Worcester limits crowds at school sporting events to only parents, siblings

  -Shrewsbury grapples with increases in cases

  -Mass. officials report more than 15,000 new cases as positivity rate tops 13 percent

  -Mass. schools receive 200,000 at-home tests for staff

  -Doctor explains accuracy, effectiveness of PCR, rapid tests

  -CDC changes to quarantine, isolation advice took local health officials by surprise

  -U.S. hits record average of daily new cases

  -WHO chief worried about "tsunami" of Omicron, Delta cases

  -ICYMI: Added protection in Worcester schools following holiday vacation

  In The News

  -Latest weather: More mild weather, high about 40 today in Worcester

  +6:00: Lexus engulfed in flames in Worcester parking garage left car toasted, garage scorched

  +6:00: Saint Vincent Hospital strike likely cost over $40 million

  +6:00: Boulevard Diner resumes night shift on weekends

  +6:00: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - December 30th

  +6:00: NEW! Wachusett Wine & Spirits' Whiskey Wednesday (36:03): Tequila Single Barrel Pick

  +6:00: New Year’s weekend events at Worcester Common Oval

  +6:00: "Dexter," Whitney Houston, "Don't Look Up" and Worcester's big year in pop culture

  +6:00: Worcesteria: Saying goodbye to arts scene fixtures Kelly Momberger, Fernando Perez and others

  +6:00: Artist Spotlight: Kristi Xhelili

  -2 Housing Authority employees honored for saving a life 

  -216-unit apartment building proposed on Hemans Street in Worcester

  -After the death of Worcester Christmas Carol Mom, family seeks help

  -New Year's Eve plans? Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands

  -Remembering First Night Worcester on what would have been its 40th year

  -The Mayor’s Live Music List for Thursday 

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

  -Last Call with Nick Austin, commercial actor 

  -Wachusett Wine & Spirits' podcast (1:09:14): Top 5 Whiskies of 2021. Earlier: Nos. 6-10, Nos. 11-20.

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

  -Tribute to man who worked for Worcester water department for 43 years

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

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

  -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): Paxton administrator search delayed over process discussions

  -Sterling OK's earth removal for Heywood Road site, with contingencies 

  -Sports: Is Patriots QB Mac Jones hitting a rookie wall?

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

  -All-Star pitcher to return to Bravehearts

  -Mariners beat Railers, 9-7

  -Clippers hold off Celtics 

  -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: Developer shares vision of thriving Worcester

  -Inflation driven by corporate greed, area professor says

  -National: Ghislaine Maxwell convicted of helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls 

  -New England: 1 killed in head-on crash in Mass.; driver charged with OUI 

  -Shopping/Deals: Shop Wayfair's End of Year Outlet sale for up to 60% off

  -Food: Do you like black coffee and dark chocolate? A new study could explain why 

  -Homes: 3 upcoming open houses in Worcester 

  -Celebrity: Dr. Dre to pay ex-wife Nicole Young $100 million in divorce settlement 

  -Animals: Dog chained up for 6 years is free for very first time (3:11) 

  -Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Family reunited with puppy that went missing on Christmas 

  -Meanwhile, here's why hamsters can drink more alcohol than any other animal 

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