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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 (:26). High of 84 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-This historic Worcester church can be yours for $1.6 million
-Worcester man critically injured in 2-car crash in Webster
-Howl of a good time at annual Hot Dog Safari benefit in Worcester
-Radio Worcester (17:54): Firehouse Cookoff returns to Polar Park to benefit local charities
-Countdown to Kindergarten returns to prepare Worcester families for first day of school
-Westborough police chief stands up for Sikh community after wave of negativity on social media
-Worcester Guardian Week in Review
>DINING OUT: Popular Italian eatery announces local opening
-Boston’s Union Oyster House celebrates 200 years (3:10)
-ICYMI: Train derails in Downtown Worcester, caught on video
-Former Assumption V.P.'s lawsuit claims president fueled party culture
-Coming soon to Worcester: Asian night market with street food, shopping
-UMass Medical School professors: Teens are turning to A.I. chatbots for emotional support – here’s how to keep kids safe
-How a Central Mass. woman beat the odds to have a baby at 44
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Holden Bandstand Concert Series 6 to 8 Sunday
-Russ Parker from Holden loves Lamoureux Ford (3:04)
-Composting 8 to 2:30 Saturday
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Attorney General finds Southbridge violated Open Meeting Law
-Fitchburg man arrested for trespassing at Leominster pub after 2 calls in 30 minutes
-Spencer Summer Concert Series continues today with the Silverbacks
-BriezyJane & the Hurricane to perform at Southbridge Concerts on the Common
-Athol man arrested on warrant before suspected heroin/fentanyl falls from his pocket during traffic stop
-6 to be honored with Charlton Old Home Day Community Awards
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Sunday
-100 FM The Pike (13:56): Spicy Water Distillery owner Barry Bacon let's Mike Hsu sample
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: The Russo Brothers, Harley's Funhouse, Pride pageant ...
-Pulse Magazine's Weekend Guide (:20)
-100 FM The Pike (15:07): Comedian Jamie Lissow on using math for standup, vacationing with your kids, living in Alaska
-Brazilian musician Ricardo Frota brings "ecology of sound" to Jacob Edwards Library Monday
>OPINION: Laurel: In praise of the late, great Jay's 5 and 10
-Jennifer Benson: Celebrating 91 years of Social Security: a promise worth protecting
-WCCA-TV Intern Interviews No. 110 (16:49): Dangers of vaping and tobacco
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to woman who passed away after battling A.L.S.
>SPORTS: "All-time high" Super Bowl urgency for Kevin Byard with Patriots
-Devon Witherspoon deal done; market set for Christian Gonzalez
-Red Sox lose to the Pirates, 4-0
-Bravehearts thank fans for 2026 season
-Win WooSox tickets courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-Leominster's Pat Gallagher picks up a win pitching at Polar Park
-WooSox fall to Buffalo, 7-5
>NATIONAL: At least 1 student among 5 people shot at Virginia State University
-What comes next after Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal charges in C.E.O.'s killing
-"Have I Been Flocked" lets drivers check if their cars have been recorded, searched
-Tragic: 6-year-old girl dies ahead of tonsillectomy before starting first grade
>NEW ENGLAND: Vermont police seek suspect accused of pulling woman’s eye out
-1 dead after rip current pulls 3 from Provincetown beach (:27)
-Man, 21, dies after falling into Mass. quarry (2:02)
>COLLEGES: Holy Cross alums build relationships to deliver life-changing opportunities
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Next Stop: Bar Harbor, Maine
-This destination ranks among best places to see fall foliage (:47)
>BUSINESS: Reddit, news outlets weigh cutting Google off as A.I. summaries kill traffic: report
-Radio Worcester (8:44): Consumers still want a real person behind A.I. customer service: B.B.B. study
>HOMES: Worcester inventory surges but homes still sell fast
>HEALTH: Pediatrician on vaccines, A.I. and kratom (5:03). Article
-Get the Facts: Proposed changes to the childhood vaccine schedule
>FOOD: Are food recalls rising? What 2026 data shows
-Food & drink pairing: Chicken pot pie biscuit cup
>TV/STREAMING: "Glee" star blasts fans claiming show is cursed after 3 cast members’ deaths
>MOVIES: How "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" defeated superhero fatigue
>CELEBRITY: Dakota Johnson looks unrecognizable as Marilyn Monroe in "Flesh Impact"
-Hollywood legend, 80, stuns in swimsuit on European getaway with family
>ANIMALS: Entire neighborhood rallies to rescue missing cat (1:33)
>HISTORY: Spilling the Tea with John Hancock - Video 4 (:51)
>GOOD NEWS: How a daily routine of ordering gumbo wound up saving his life (3:01)
-Meanwhile, in London, Pitbull fans don bald caps to break Guinness World Record
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