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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 (:32). High of 65 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+6:00: Victim of fatal crash in Shrewsbury was member of U.S. Army, friends say
+6:00: The Worcester farmers market is returning, and moving to a familiar location
+6:00: Worcester seeks to host Ghana World Cup fans, despite Providence base
+6:00: Worcester County Wonders: Worcester's oldest theater plans a rebirth
+6:00: Worcesteria: Remembering the best fictional Worcester Centrum show
+6:00: Worcester hockey alumni 2025-26 highlights, NHL Week 22
+Noon: Becoming Robert Goddard: A rocketeer rooted in Worcester
+Noon: Worcester nonprofits share $500,000 grant pool
+Noon: At St. Mary’s Fish Fry, over 1,000 guests eat over 500 pounds of haddock
-Firefighters battle blaze in apartment building in Worcester
-Worcester jury convicts man of child rape
-Millbury woman home from Middle East after 40-hour journey (2:02)
-Green Hill Park is the "crown jewel" of Worcester
-City of Worcester opens applications for Green Hill Park Community Garden Plots
-Worcester nonprofit rebrands as Your Access Advocates amid 50th anniversary
-City Council weighs development, police headquarters, World Cup
>DINING OUT: Castle lets you dine with a 40-foot dragon and race go-karts (1:28)
-ICYMI: The Shops at Blackstone Valley to expand with 2 new buildings
-Woman admits stealing $220K from Worcester rest home, residents
-Massachusetts’ best-kept country music secret is this Worcester honky tonk bar
-When is the last day of school in Central Mass.? See town-by-town map
-Worcester looking into installing 5 air quality sensors
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): This week's road closures and traffic delays
-Winter snow brings great values at Lamoureux Ford (2:00)
-Wachusett Echo: Where community meets craft: How local businesses lift our schools
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Dilapidated footbridge on popular Shrewsbury trail will be replaced
-Officials discuss expansion, allocation of Westborough Wastewater Treatment Plant
-Templeton police arrest woman for violating restraining order by revving engine, yelling outside ex-boyfriend's home
-Health Foundation of Central Mass. invests additional $400,000 in Southbridge CARES
-Westborough completes redistricting; 114 students to switch elementary schools
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Monday
>SHOWTIME: "Burnin' down the house"
-WICN Brian Barlow Concert Series featuring Shawnn Monteiro and her trio March 27th
>OPINION: Rosalie Tirella: Finally home!
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester woman who passed away at age 99
>SPORTS: Celtics beat Cavaliers, 109-98
-Bruins lose to Penguins, 5-4
-Ty Law talks Christian Gonzalez’s contract, Bill Belichick negotiations and more
-Stockfish scores overtime winner to send Holy Cross men's hockey to Atlantic Hockey semifinals
-Holy Cross women’s basketball hosts Colgate in Patriot League quarterfinals on Monday
-Railers lose to Trois-Rivieres in shootout, 4-3
>NATIONAL: Terrorism investigated in U.S. embassy explosion in Oslo
-Iran confirms Russia’s helping "in many different directions" in its war with U.S., Israel
-Mom who vanished 24 years ago says she left family because of "domestic issues"
-Tragic: Beloved elderly couple of 70 years died holding hands after tragic car crash
>NEW ENGLAND: Taunton rallies around families who lost everything during massive house explosion
>COLLEGES: Clarkies awarded at American Mock Trial Association Regional Tournament
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): When to book flights for the best deals
-Is Basic Economy a good deal? Here's what to consider
>BUSINESS: Japan's Nikkei 225 share index falls more than 7% as oil soars to $114 a barrel
-Energy from bricks, and more chemistry tricks: Julio D’Arcy’s lab is a happy place of experimentation
>HOMES: Can solar panels lower your utility bill in the winter? (1:37)
>HEALTH: Women's Health Myths: Doctor warns against believing claims about testosterone
>FOOD: Scientists pinpoint why resisting a donut can feel impossible — even when you're full
>TV/STREAMING: Trailer for new Netflix doc, "The Dinosaurs" (2:01)
>MOVIES: Jason Biggs gives "American Pie 5" update: "Nostalgia is big right now"
>CELEBRITY: Woodstock legend Country Joe McDonald dies at 84
-Eric Dane's widow, Rebecca Gayheart, moves late actor's belongings out of Johnny Depp's home
>ANIMALS: Woman adopts handicapped senior cat for the sweetest reason (2:28)
>HISTORY: LIFE magazine photo, 1931: "Light Standard on Park Ave south of Highland St."
>GOOD NEWS: Officer recognized for saving 1-year-old boy who nearly drowned
-Meanwhile, in Scotland, couple walking their dogs make stunning 2,000-year-old discovery on a beach
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