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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
-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
Latest obituaries | | Wednesday highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
In The News
>WEATHER: Wind alert, will feel like 32 degrees today Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-25-year-old Worcester woman, Greenfield family among 5 killed in Virginia highway bus crash (2:36). Article
-Anna Maria's abrupt closure was a "knife in the heart" for faculty
-World Cup watch parties set for Worcester Common
-Ghanaian restaurant in Worcester ready to give World Cup fans taste of home country (2:07)
-Worcester jury finds driver guilty in 2022 death of man in wheelchair
-Teenage pedestrian recovering after Worcester crash
-Worcester road safety project targets dangerous I-290 off-ramp crossing
-Despite recent stabbings on the Common, Downtown Worcester events to continue
-Related: Woman ID’d as suspect in April Worcester Common stabbing
-Related: Radio Worcester (15:34): City Councilor Kate Toomey says city must act
-Longtime historian and educator at Old Sturbridge Village ID'd as crash victim
-Corner Dive bar set to open in late June in Worcester
-Worcester D.A. payroll database: What each employee made in 2025
-Mass. Democrats begin convention in Worcester
-18 new condos on Elm Street are for sale. Take a look inside
-Patriots quarterback Drake Maye set to host celebrity softball game at Polar Park
-Worcester Guardian Week in Review: Segregation lawsuit, school budget questions, Holy Cross heads to Texas
>DINING OUT: Popular eatery's second location officially opens in Westborough
-Shrewsbury Hooters announces it will close
-ICYMI: Investigation underway after human remains found in Worcester
-Worcester Teacher of the Year inspires students while battling A.L.S. (2:12). Article
-Black bear spotted roaming around Worcester neighborhoods near Doherty and Clark (2:50). Article
-Teen struck, seriously injured by pickup truck at Kelley Square
-W.P.D. looking for witnesses to big April brawl on Water Street (with video)
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Among Friends senior newsletter
-Jazzed Up Duo at Val's 5:30 p.m. Saturday
-Lamoureux Ford wins record 29th Ford President's Award (4:16)
-Annual town meeting 7 p.m. June 8th
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): TODAY! Brimfield's townwide tag sale takes on the flea market town
-TODAY! Northborough Colonial Faire to bring revolutionary era to life
-A grieving mother uses pickleball to help others
-Significant portion of Route 140 in Shrewsbury to be repaved this summer
-Grafton School Committee gives superintendent high marks in annual evaluation
-Southbridge candidates split on Town Council term limits
-Westborough self-storage property sells for $12.35 million
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Saturday
-Largest brewery in Central Mass. surpasses 100,000 barrels for first time
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: Black Veil, Basement Sessions, Johnny Blue Horn and more
-Indian Ranch ready for sizzling summer concerts and 80th birthday
>OPINION: Mary C. DeSouza: Preparing for sleepaway camp at Camp Waziyatah
-Radio Worcester (23:53): Girls Inc. board member Evelyn Toney on how the organization changed her life
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (47:47): Is Worcester safe? Crime perception and city challenges
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to co-founder of HOPE Coalition in Worcester
>SPORTS: Why Mike Onwenu’s revised contract with Patriots is notable news
-Bruins trade targets: 7 players who would be good fits in Boston
-Red Sox lose to Cleveland, 4-3
-Red Sox star Roman Anthony hits another setback in injury rehab
-Bravehearts fall to Vermont, 7-3
-Bravehearts single-game tickets on sale now
-Holy Cross baseball downed by No. 6 Texas in day 1 of Austin Regional
-Win WooSox tickets courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-WooSox beat Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 6-5
>NATIONAL: Husband killed, wife injured after home explodes in attempted murder-suicide
-Former C.I.A. official arrested after feds find $40 million worth of gold bars stashed at his home: report
-Tragic: Bride-to-be, 27, mowed down by hit-and-run driver at bus stop
>NEW ENGLAND: Mass. issues I.C.E. guidance for schools, hospitals, churches (1:31)
-Mass. D.O.T. suspends 8 employees, 4 supervisors amid overtime fraud investigation
>COLLEGES: WPI appoints 2 to Board of Trustees
-Assumption Alumni Award recipients announced
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Couple sells home to travel Route 66 and beyond
-The least polluted cities in the U.S.
>BUSINESS: Here’s where Americans are spending their higher tax refunds: survey
-Need to save? How to negotiate your credit card interest rates (2:08)
>HOMES: Worcester County home prices on the rise this spring
>HEALTH: A.I. is spotting Alzheimer’s earlier than ever (3:26)
-Pediatrician shares tips for identifying, treating bug bites (2:06)
>FOOD: Cooking with Tiffany: Chicken Francese
>TV/STREAMING: New shows & movies to watch this weekend
>MOVIES: Mel Gibson's "Resurrection of the Christ" unveils first look at Jesus
>CELEBRITY: Madonna says J.F.K. Jr. was the best sex of her life — with a caveat
-Neal McDonough says Hollywood labeled him a "religious nut," cost him his career and home
>ANIMALS: Dog knows exactly when they’re almost at grandma’s (1:24)
>GOOD NEWS: Dennis officers have full-circle moment 25 years in making (2:00)
-Meanwhile, 1-armed woman proves cop wrong during texting and driving stop (:44)
Latest obituaries | | Friday's Highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
-Full-time police officer, town of Holden
-Full-time paramedic, town of Spencer
-Auto technician at Ford dealership
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