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As we prepare to welcome 2022, here's a look at the stories you made the most popular on The 016 in 2021.
No. 15: Bar planned to replace legendary Dive Bar in Canal District | October 26th
The Dive Bar closed in November 2019 amid the anticipation of the building of Polar Park.
No. 14: Restaurant to open new Shrewsbury Street location on Thursday | November 9th
Pepe's Italian Restaurant moved from its longtime home on Franklin Street.
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No. 13: Park Ave eatery opens its doors | August 9th
The "multi-cuisine" Shack opened its doors at the corner of Park Ave. and Pleasant Street.
No. 12: Worcester man hits the lottery ... again | December 18th
John Gregarczyk of Worcester (above) scratched a lottery ticket worth $1 million. He also did it in 2008.
No. 11: Shrewsbury St. restaurant going into hibernation | January 14th
An unfortunate recurring theme in 2021 was how the pandemic hurt Worcester restaurants. Brew City (above) bounced back, though, and reopened.
No. 10: Shrewsbury mother and daughter found dead inside home (1:59) | March 20th
An unspeakable tragedy struck close to Worcester. Authorities later concluded the mother killed her daughter and then took her own life.
No. 9: Local restaurant closes all 3 locations because of COVID-19 | January 7th
Prior to Brew City temporarily closing, The Fix -- with locations in Worcester, Leominster and Marlborough -- closed temporarily.
Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
No. 8: State board recommends Worcester attorney be disbarred | October 12th
The Board of Bar Overseers wrote that Abby R. Williams, also known as Abigail R. Williams, “intentionally deprived several clients of their money from personal injury settlements” by “fraudulently inflating case expenses.”
No. 7: Lincoln Plaza getting new tenant | November 3rd
Just in time for New Year's resolutions, Planet Fitness plans to open at the site of the former W Fitness gym (above).
No. 6: Worcester restaurant wants to know who took its kegs | May 25th
In one of the oddest local stories of the year, 2 men made off with empty kegs from a gated area outside Antonio's Pizza on Chandler Street. The kegs were later returned.
No. 5 : New restaurant opens at Lincoln Plaza | June 8th
Lincoln Plaza's momentum continued when Torito Mexican Restaurant (above) opened in the space formerly occupied by Ruby Tuesdays.
No. 4: Large crowds welcome Lincoln Plaza's newest stores | April 25th
With great fanfare, HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx (above) replaced the former Staples and Barnes & Noble locations.
No. 3: Popular Worcester diner, closed during pandemic, is for sale | June 15th
The pandemic claimed the popular Blanchard's 101 Diner on Cambridge Street in Worcester (above).
No. 2: Here's what's replacing Crown Bakery on Gold Star Blvd. | January 5th
A Brazilian meat market took over the for iconic Scandinavian bakery.
No. 1: COVID claims brother, sister from well-known Worcester family | January 24th
The most-read story on The 016 in 2021 was the heartbreaking story of Francis Bafaro and his sister, Theresa Bafaro, who died a little over 2 weeks apart.
What else is happening in and around Worcester? Click here or keep scrolling ⤵️
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:39). High of 40 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Worcester police S.W.A.T. team arrests man after armed domestic incident on Lawnfair Street
-Real estate developer Chip Norton sued by creditor who claims he owes $1 million
-Federal judge forces Worcester pastor Encarnacion into bankruptcy
-R.F.K. Jr. demands Dunkin', Starbucks prove drinks are "safe" (1:51). Article
-Radio Worcester (10:45): Vendors sought for Out to Lunch summer series on the Common
-Aislinn Doyle: March 5th School Committee meeting agenda preview
-Worcester considers cutting school busing distance to 1.5 miles
-Updated Worcester trash and recycling schedule through March 9th
>DINING OUT: Phantom Gourmet visits Worcester restaurant (5:05)
-ICYMI: Auburn police seek missing woman last seen in Florida over a month ago
-What you need to know: Worcester St. Patrick’s Parade ready to step off
-A.G. confirms lawsuit to follow Holden Town Meeting vote on housing law
-Holy Cross students keep community fed with fridge program (1:32)
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Wachusett Echo: Debate over homework load continues at W.R.H.S.
-Winter snow brings great values at Lamoureux Ford (2:00)
-Wachusett Echo: The rewards and realities of A.P. classes at Wachusett
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): D.A. says foul play suspected after human remains found in Shirley
-Grafton Select Board approves increase to pay-as-you-throw bag fees
-Good deed by Gardner D.P.W. raises eyebrows on City Council
-$1 million lottery winner in Shrewsbury eyes investment, home buy
-Spencer selectmen hear more about FY'27 budget
-Police logs from Shrewsbury, Northborough and Westborough
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Thursday
>SHOWTIME: Grace Givertz in the spotlight for Club 321 at Mechanics Hall
-Listen Up: Worcester's Many Kids Take Meds debuts new singles
-Discovering King Tut's Tomb exhibit coming to Boston (1:54)
>OPINION: Last Call: Rosa Fernandez, community health leader
-Tracey Faraday: Self-care station for your 2 a.m. feedings
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (48:00): Worcester police staffing crisis and $35 million Holden sewer lawsuit loss
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to past president of the Worcester Rotary Club
>SPORTS: Patriots to release Stefon Diggs in cost-saving move: Reports
-Mike Vrabel sparks A.J. Brown-to-Patriots trade speculation with latest comments
-Celtics lose to Hornets, 118-89 (2:04). Article
-Holy Cross women’s basketball completes 12-point fourth-quarter comeback against B.U.; secures No. 2 seed in Patriot League tournament
-Holy Cross women's hockey coach Katie Lachapelle named Hockey East Coach of the Year
-Holy Cross men’s basketball travels to No. 2 Lehigh for Patriot League quarterfinals
-South girls' hoops star Madison Leighton balances court, class, crisis
>NATIONAL: Iran launches new wave of attacks on Israeli and U.S. bases
-Father who gave gun to alleged school shooter is convicted of murder
-Tragic: Husband fatally shot wife and himself at hospital moments after welcoming their first child
>NEW ENGLAND: Providence diocese abuse report exposes decades of cover up
-Cash box with $1,000 stolen from Girl Scouts selling cookies in New Hampshire
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Expedia's most affordable U.S. and abroad destinations for 2026
-The ultimate guide to solo travel confidence
>BUSINESS: 21 Attorneys General demand action from GoFundMe
-LPL Financial Research: How LPL Research thinks about dividends
-How long will it take to pay off your credit card?
>HOMES: Tips for snow and ice removal around your home
>HEALTH: Rates of rectal cancer rising, particularly among young people (1:59)
>FOOD: KFC revives beloved '90s menu item—but fans say something's missing
>TV/STREAMING: What is “Netflix After Dark”? Is the N.S.F.W. streaming category real?
>MOVIES: Trailer for "Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man" (2:40)
>CELEBRITY: All the celebrities at Paris Fashion Week March
-Christina Applegate dumped Brad Pitt for '80s rocker: memoir
>ANIMALS: Orange cat outsmarts his entire household (1:52)
>HISTORY: Worcester County Wonders: The Worcester woman who refused to pay taxes
>GOOD NEWS: Years-old lottery numbers finally earn woman a $100,000 prize
-Meanwhile, world's smallest arcade machine is only .98 inch tall
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