Start your day with the latest and most complete Worcester news! Click here to join The016.com today! Registration is free and easy
Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+1:00: Here's how the Omicron surge is different than previous surges in the U.S.
-Testing in Downtown Worcester scheduled 4 days this week
-"No reason not to open on time": Worcester schools set for regular return Monday
-Earlier: Worcester schools not impacted by test kit delays for staff
-2-hour delay for Wachusett Regional School District
-More Mass. towns cancel classes Monday because of COVID concerns
-Mass. teachers wary of returning to class during spike
-Mass. doctor on kids returning to school amid surge (4:21)
-Wastewater samples reveal record levels of COVID across U.S.
In The News
-Latest weather: Cold and windy, highs in the 20s and wind chills in the teens in Worcester
+1:00: Worcester City Council, School Committee inauguration to be held virtually at 5:30 today
-Worcester firefighters hit the ice in Toledo to honor fallen brothers
-Saint Vincent nurses meet to vote on new contract on Monday
-Bill Shaner: Shady groups sink their claws into Saint Vincent as strike nears close
-Celebrity: Cindy Williams, "Laverne & Shirley" star, reminisces about Worcester's Eddie Mekka, her love interest on sitcom
-5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - January 3rd
-Bill Shaner: The year in review
-Neighborhood watch meetings in January in Worcester
-Worcester marijuana retailer signs deal for celebrity endorsed products
-Movies: 6 must-see movies being released in January
-Song to Get You Through the Week: Shiverlane makes grand debut with "Virginia Dare"
-ICYMI: Police ask for public’s help to find missing Worcester teen last seen in Stoughton
-Community raising funds for Worcester Assistant Principal hit with devastating health news
-The most read stories of 2021 on The 016
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for Monday
-New! Wachusett Wine & Spirits' Whiskey Wednesday (36:03): Tequila Single Barrel Pick
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Paxton police looking for woman who wandered off with iPhone
-Shrewsbury police station topping-off ceremony Wednesday
-Shrewsbury Cultural Council announces 2022 grant winners
-Fabric n Things opens in Fitchburg bringing with it an “old school” feel
-Holden man arrested for 3rd DUI after bad wreck early New Year's morning
-Lucky couple survives horrific looking crash in Boylston
-Sports: Patriots clinch playoff berth. Complete coverage
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-Brown scores 50, rallies Celtics to OT win
-Bruins pull away in 3rd, thump Red Wings
-Bobby Butler helps lift Railers to 5-3 win
-Cars: Happy Holidays from Bertera Nissan (2:04)
-Take a look at new 2022 Four Winds RV now in at Fuller RV in Boylston
-National: It won't be a pandemic forever. Here's what could be next
-TikTok overtakes Google as most popular site in 2021
-New England: Man drowns in Lake Winnipesaukee after canoe capsizes
-Tragic: Baby found abandoned in Alaska with heartbreaking note from mother
-Business: Is the new year a bad time to look for a new job?
-Psychologists share top tips on how to hit your career goals in 2022
-Colleges: Anna Maria students advance to national rounds of singing competition
-Holy Cross visual arts professor receives Fred B. Kniffen Book Award
-Health: Mass. DPH launches smoking cessation campaign
-Homes: 5 new houses for sale in Worcester
-Animals: TikTok went "nuts" for video of squirrel holding hands with a woman
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Blood donor has given 2,800 times
-Meanwhile, in California, twins born just 15 minutes apart, but in different years
Latest obituaries | | Sunday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
In The News
>WEATHER: Last day of oppressive heat, high feels like 95 to 100 today in Worcester
-Cooling centers open today in Worcester; water available
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+6:00: Mass. names Worcester 1 of 78 Housing Choice Communities
+6:00: Here's when Disney on Ice will skate into Worcester
+6:00: Bill Ballou on baseball
+Noon: Camels as pets? Meet Phil and RJ of Grafton
+Noon: Old Sturbridge Village to host Redcoats and Rebels for 250th anniversary
+Noon: Texas country band Flatland Cavalry heading to Indian Ranch in Webster
+Noon: Listen Up: Chill out for summer with Caylin Costello, D-Tension songs
+Noon: Last Call: Catherine Zebrowski, writer and musician
-13-year-old girl reported missing in Worcester
-U.S. News: UMass Memorial Medical Center is a top Mass. hospital, best in Worcester
-Can you help Worcester police ID these road-rage suspects?
-2 Shrewsbury men arrested in Boston prostitution sting
-Community rallies to help Leicester girl, hospitalized for year with cancer, celebrate birthday
-Algae treatment planned for Coes Reservoir, Indian Lake on Thursday
-Worcester school jobs saved as administration releases education funding
-Worcester elderly apartments sold for $17 million
-More body camera footage released of Eureka Street I.C.E. incident. Here's what it shows
-What's the best way to enjoy summer in Worcester County? Vote in round 3
-5 places to get out on the water in Central Mass. this summer
-Worcester African Festival returns for third year
-Interested in becoming a Worcester Police Officer? (:47)
-Radio Worcester (22:34): Commissioner Rob Antonelli on Worcester’s parks progress, priorities and planning
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (47:21): When immigration enforcement meets local politics
>DINING OUT (brought to you by Patsie Dugan's): Nan Xiang Express set to come to Shrewsbury
-ICYMI: Good Samaritan helps out driver in Worcester crash
-Downtown Worcester apartments at center of CitySquare redevelopment sold for $122 million
-2 Central Mass. women die in Old Orchard Beach, Maine camper explosion (2:15). Article
-"My baby!": Newly released body cam video shows new insight into Worcester I.C.E. arrest
-Worcester police arrest 3 juveniles after gun found in car
-Millbury police arrest 3 Worcester men in separate thefts
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Eagle Lake still closed for swimming
-Long term employees make Lamoureux Ford special (3:50)
-This week's road closure and traffic delays
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): bankHometown consolidating Webster branches
-Clinton man accused of using pudding barcode taped around finger to steal $40 of groceries
-Item photos: Young "royals" get ready for Fancy Nancy Tea Party
-Drive-throughs targeted in West Boylston as new Dunkin's gets variance
-Lancaster administrator sets directions for now
-Shrewsbury High’s Chemistry Club brings science to elementary schools
-Spencer Selectmen talk evaluation, criteria for E.M.S. request for proposals
-Former Templeton administrator warns select board of 9C cuts, hiring woes, and out-of-class pay risks
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Wednesday
-Jazzed Up Trio 6 to 8 Wednesday at 961 at Union Station
>SHOWTIME: Worcester writers bring the drama in summer showcase
-Destiny's Child reunites onstage for first time in 7 years at Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" finale
-Hanover Theatre takes over full management of the J.M.A.C.
-W.S.C. Stay Connected (1:01:31): A Tribute to the Beatles by the Hip Swayers, Stomp N' Holler, Hit the Bus
>OPINION: Worcesteria: How low can it go? Dry spell dries up Elm Park's ponds
-Margaret Smith: For a Catholic fan, Ozzy's life and lyrics strike a holy note
-What's Up Worcester's Minute with Meagan (15:24): Jenny Gaul, Executive Director, Joy of Music Program (JOMP)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to a Worcester native who ran a home daycare for over 20 years
>SPORTS: Christian Gonzalez injury to sideline Patriots cornerback for "a bit"
-How Kayshon Boutte has impressed so far at Patriots training camp
-Red Sox beat Twins, 8-5
-Bravehearts beat New Britain, 3-2 . Next home game: 6:30 Wednesday. Buy tickets here
-Holy Cross Athletics (1:57): Get to know Coach Bryan Robbat
-WooSox beat IronPigs, 7-5
-King of the Court basketball tournament debuts at Worcester parks
>NATIONAL: 8.8-magnitude earthquake sends tsunami into coasts of Russia, Japan and Alaska
-Ghislaine Maxwell will plead the Fifth in House testimony — unless demands are met: defense lawyer
-ChatGPT passes the "I'm not a robot" test — a "terrifying" step toward developing a mind of its own
>TRAGIC: Toddler dies after "slipping" from dad’s arms on water slide
>NEW ENGLAND: Powerful moment for Mass. family who was forced to live in park (2:16). Article
-Intruder bathed, slept, ate & stole while Boston family was away on vacation (3:45)
>COLLEGES: Q.C.C. president pushes for faculty pay hikes
-WPI researcher tackles water treatment woes with battery tech
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Inside the "arms race" to win the new luxury cruise ship market
>BUSINESS: Highlights from A.A.R.P.'s 99 ways to save money (1:46)
-LPL Financial Research: Economy in uncharted waters
-Report: Small size of Mass. sports betting industry limiting opportunities for minorities, women and veterans
>SHOPPING: When do Spirit Halloween stores open this year? Here's our guess
>HEALTH: Police, doctors warn of e-bike dangers as use skyrockets in Mass.
-Researchers say some artificial sweeteners could impact brain (:53)
-COVID barely detectable in wastewater, but is it time to celebrate? (2:15). Article
>FOOD: Greek Chicken Salad Bowls
>TV/STREAMING: Robin Roberts reveals why she’s been absent from "GMA"
>MOVIES: 40 best needle drops in movies of all time
>CELEBRITY: Tom Cruise, Ana de Armas attend Oasis show — after band roasted actor
-Justin Baldoni breaks social media silence to celebrate milestone with wife amid Blake Lively legal battle
>ANIMALS: 14-year-old dog dumped at shelter gets a ton of new siblings (1:40)
>HISTORY: Then & Now: Grafton Street, Worcester
>GOOD NEWS: Woman found alive 9 months after vanishing near Death Valley
-Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, polite black bear stuns homeowners after ringing doorbell before exploring hot tub
Latest obituaries | | Tuesday's Highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | Help Wanted | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather