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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 (1:05). High of 65 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Shooting investigation shuts down highway ramp overnight in Worcester (:26). Article
-Worcester police launch test of new light on patrol vehicles
-Worcester police want your help: Naming their new comfort dog
-What's becoming of Chip Norton's Worcester properties?
-Monday's Child: Randy, 14, an artist, enjoys sporting events, museums, trips to the zoo
-Pulse Magazine's Eat Beat for October
-Speedy’s Drive In was an iconic Worcester destination
-Worcester Animal Rescue League is in need of donations
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (24:25): Calls for civilian oversight amid skepticism over implementation
>POLITICS: Which candidates for mayor, City Council have raised most money?
-Worcester candidate profile: Jermoh Kamara for City Councilor At-Large
-Councilor King backs research bureau call for civilian police oversight
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (46:55): City Council cell phone use becomes a campaign issue
>DINING OUT: Shrewsbury Street restaurant changes hours, opens 7 days a week
-ICYMI: Thousands pack Institute Park for Worcester's "No Kings" protest. Video (2:08:06)
-Worcester tried classical music to stop "illegal activities" in Canal District. It didn't work
-Woman arrested in Worcester wanted in Hawaii for child sex assault
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Scout's book shares epilepsy experiences
-America's newest game show, filmed at Lamoureux Ford (1:40)
-At 122 Diner, help support Ava's fight against Ovarian Cancer
-New fields being used as work continues
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Car fire in Charlton spreads to nearby brush early Sunday morning
-7 displaced after Fitchburg apartment fire; dog resuscitated by E.M.S.
-Item photos: In West Boylston, families invited to "touch a truck"
-School study leads West Boylston fall town meeting warrant
-Whittier Farms given grant to improve food security
-Southbridge High unveils sensory immersion room as part of the CARES program
-Ashburnham man tased and arrested in woods after prowling in driveway; oxycodone recovered
-New protein shake spot coming to Northborough
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Monday
-Jazzed Up Trio 6 to 9 Wednesdays at 961 at Union Station
>SHOWTIME: Legendary rock band honored at Worcester show for 25 million plays on Apple Music
-Rickie Lee Jones brings ribald remarks and finely crafted tunes to Mass.
-100 FM The Pike (16:38): Jeff Belanger, paranormal expert
>OPINION: Harold Wimmer: How 2 minutes can possibly save your life
-Richard T. Moore: State headed for perfect storm on senior care
-This Week in Worcester Podcast (2:04:27)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to man who worked as a missionary, pastor, and chaplain for 50 years
>SPORTS: Drake Maye brilliant despite injury scare in 31-13 rout
-Where do Patriots rank in AFC hierarchy?
-Awkward behind-the-scenes NFL footage of Jordon Hudson and Bill Belichick exposed
-Holy Cross Men's rowing wins Collegiate 8+ at Head of the Charles
-Holy Cross women’s ice hockey earns shutout victory over Dartmouth
-Bruins lose to Utah, 3-2
-Railers lose to Adirondack, 5-3
>CARS: Consumer Reports: Best cars and insurance tips for teen drivers
>NATIONAL: Government shutdown enters fourth week
-Virginia Giuffre was left bloodied and beaten by Prime Minister
-Tragic: Dad of 4, dog die when fishing boat capsizes on Mississippi River
>NEW ENGLAND: Toddler dies in head-on crash involving S.U.V., work van in Taunton
-2 teens arrested in woman’s shooting in Hyannis
-Mass. Health Connector insurance costs could rise in 2026
>COLLEGES: Anna Maria Professor Jennifer Carlson to address legislative hearing on emergency management
-Radio Worcester (9:51): Q.C.C. President Luis Pedraja on Hispanic Heritage Month and free college support
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 7 regional U.S. specialties you need to try
-5 hotel etiquette tips you should know
>BUSINESS: Roblox, Snapchat, Fortnite, Amazon and more suffer global outages
-Sora A.I. is the hottest new social media app — and people are buying invites off eBay
>SHOPPING: Move over labubus, people are willing to pay over $10,000 for these fluffy toys
>HOMES: Beverly Hills home of billionaire from Worcester for sale for $195 million
>HEALTH: Overdose deaths in seniors see dramatic rise from deadly drug mix
-State launches campaign to boost COVID and flu vaccination rates (1:39)
>FOOD: From farm to table: Apple edition (4:52)
>TV/STREAMING: Trailer for new Netflix true crime doc, "Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers" (2:03)
>MOVIES: "Black Phone 2" rules box office with $26.5 million opening
>CELEBRITY: Taylor Swift has had "no contact" with former B.F.F. Blake Lively
-Angelina Jolie makes rare comment on double mastectomy, removing ovaries
>HISTORY: Then & Now: Simon Fairfield Public Library, Douglas
>ANIMALS: Tiki the rescue dog inspires support for other animals in need (3:32)
>GOOD NEWS: Second grader thriving after life-saving leukemia treatment
-Meanwhile, in Connecticut, escaped goats become local celebrities
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