Make the016.com a preferred choice with Google by clicking here 
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)
+6:00: Radio Worcester's Worcester Wednesday with Mayor Joe Petty (13:21): COVID, testing, schools, inauguration, housing and much more
+6:00: Can we really "ride out" the Omicron wave?
-Worcester, other districts manage return to schools amid surge
-Worcester Catholic school get tests
-Radio Worcester (16:07): Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus talks Omicron, testing, development and inauguration
-Westborough brings back indoor mask mandate
-Auburn temporarily closes some town buildings to the public
-Grafton Municipal Center shuttered because of outbreak
-ICYMI: Massive lines await those just wishing to be tested in Worcester (2:06)
-Testing in Downtown Worcester scheduled 2 more days this week
-Mass. officials report more than 16,000 new cases, 94 deaths as positivity rate tops 21 percent
-Mass. reports more than 45,000 new breakthrough cases, 88 additional deaths
-U.S. sets new milestone with more than 1 million cases
-Omicron now accounts for 95% of new U.S. cases
-More than 100,000 people are hospitalized with COVID in the U.S. for the first time in months
-Why are so many vaccinated people getting COVID lately?
-How long before Omicron symptoms appear after exposure?
-How will pandemic conclude? Omicron clouds forecasts for endgame
In The News
-Latest weather: Latest on Friday snow, black ice possible this morning, high in the mid 40s today in Worcester
+6:00: Kitchen fire displaces residents of Webster home
+6:00: Spencer Fire Department tanker skids off road in icy conditions
+6:00: Oxford family seeks answers on Beau Mann missing in LA since November
+6:00: Local news site announces shutdown
+6:00: Food: See the January menus for local specialty doughnut shops
+6:00: Animals: "They go ape over it" — discarded Christmas trees a delicacy for local goats
+6:00: Visit the latest 2 open houses in Worcester
+12:30: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - January 5th
+12:30: Guess Friday's snow total in Worcester, win $100 gift card
+12:30: 13 die in fire at Philadelphia rowhome converted into apartments
-Worcester store has 2nd $1 million lottery winner in 2 months
-Residents make it out of massive Charlton house fire overnight (:30)
-Murder at O'Connor's: Man facing trial in fatal stabbing pursues insanity defense
-Hanover Theatre performer reunited with stolen tap shoes
-More people leaving Massachusetts, fewer moving in, study says
-Cafe Neo hosting karaoke contest with $1,000 prize
-Local singer premieres music video shot right before the pandemic in Los Angeles
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for Wednesday
-Wachusett Wine & Spirits' Whiskey Wednesday (36:03): Tequila Single Barrel Pick
-Community organizing essential to keeping Worcester clean
-Angels Net Foundation empowers and supports refugees and immigrants
-Janice Harvey: No one seems enthusiastic for 2022
-Radio Worcester (6:47): Worcester School Committee member Sue Mailman talks about inauguration
-Jim Coughlin: Inauguration of the newly elected members of City Council and School Committee
-Tribute to Worcester native and legendary Boston physician
-ICYMI: Former St. Peter-Marian school site sold for $4.75 million
-Cold nights, uptick in COVID cases means full house at Hotel Grace
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Holden nomination papers available
-Sterling honors Village Pizza's commitment to community
-Holden's budget could run into Wachusett costs
-Paxton search committee appointment pushed to January 10th
-$50,000 Powerball winner sold in Webster
-Sports: Bravehearts unveil fan-focused, fully interactive Twenty-Twenty-You
-Holy Cross football already looking forward to next season
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-Bruins beat Devils, 5-3
-Jim Corsi, former Red Sox pitcher and Newton native, dies from cancer at 60
-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: Drivers stranded for 15+ hours on I-95 in Stafford County, Va.
-New England: Hero dog leads troopers to site of car crash, rescuing victims
-Police: 3 people, including 2 teens, broke into same Attleboro home twice in span of 7 hours
-Tragic: North Carolina state trooper accidentally kills his brother during traffic stop
-Business: Toyota is about to become the leader in U.S. auto sales for the first time
-Central Mass. cannabis dispensaries power through holiday rush
-Homes: Central Massachusetts towns with homes available below $350,000
-Shopping: Macy’s cuts store hours at all of its stores
-History: 1906 conceptual drawing of Union Station
-Animals: New pets up for adoption in the Worcester area
-New on DVD: Legendary monster haunts small town in "Antlers"
-Celebrity: Alec Baldwin addresses "Rust" tragedy in New Year’s video
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Shrewsbury students raise money for Red Cross following tornadoes
-Meanwhile, in Florida, watch as bears try to open the front door of home
Latest obituaries | | Tuesday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:29). High of 60 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+6:00: After fatal shooting, Worcester strip club must close at 8
+6:00: City custodians protest treatment by Worcester's new cleaning contractor
+6:00: Friends of Worcester Public Library mark 70 years with $50,000 gift to new branch
+6:00: Pulse Magazine's Weekend Guide (:22)
+Noon: Jury says it's deadlocked in Noel Inoa retrial; judge says keep trying
+Noon: Worcester airport sets record, but 500,000 goal looms
+Noon: Level 3 sex offender accused of trying to entice juvenile in Southbridge
+Noon: Things to Do: Día de los Muertos celebration, 'Ghosts in the Galleries
+Noon: Decade of ghouls and glamor: Haunted Speakeasy set for Worcester
+Noon: This is peak: Joe Fusco Jr. dreams about replacing a boiler
-Driver injured after car crashes through fence, lands on roof in Worcester (1:40). Article
-Child hospitalized after being hit by vehicle while riding bike in Worcester
-Worcester husband and wife die just 2 days apart
-Phantom Gourmet visits Worcester restaurant (5:02)
-Worcester community seeks help after local designer’s bag, credit cards stolen
-Former Worcester police sergeant takes over National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division
-Worcester S.N.A.P. rolls drop 21% as advocates seek D.T.A. staff
-internal investigation clears officers of wrongdoing in Toomey crash
-Related: Advocates renew call for police review board after release of Toomey crash report
-Related: Read the full Worcester police review of city councilor's crash
-City to crack down on parking scofflaws during snow. But you'll be warned
-Central Mass. strip club to face license commission after deadly shooting
-Terror on Tory Fort: Check out Worcester family's Western take on Halloween
-Ché Anderson talks about roles at UMass Med School, Mass Cultural Council
-Nativity School opens applications for upcoming year
-Aislinn Doyle: W.P.S. In Brief: Realignment breakdown by school
>DINING OUT: Worcester restaurant expands to serve lunch
-ICYMI: State blocks out-of-state firm from buying nursing homes in Worcester, Fitchburg
-$51 million redevelopment brings 80 affordable senior apartments to Worcester's Lincoln Square
-Worcester's historic Heywood Boot building to receive $929K in state redevelopment funding
-Worcester lands record $5.5 million grant to remove lead hazards
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN: Midnight at the Masquerade mystery Thursday at Gale Free Library
-This week's road closures and traffic delays
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): What happens to Anna Maria College’s campus after bids fall short?
-Takeaways from latest Shrewsbury Select Board meeting
-Westborough police warn against "door kick" social media challenge
-Charlton voters approve data center restrictions, call for end to Flock cameras
-In stunning reversal, Westborough Town Meeting changes course on downtown zoning proposal
-Pastor Coates drops fraud claims against orchard developer and former Dunbar clients
-Southbridge man charged with armed robbery at Elm Street convenience store
-Dudley Town Hall access plan draws objections at Town Meeting
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Thursday
-Jazzed Up Duo at Val’s Restaurant in Holden Friday and Saturday
>SHOWTIME: Disney On Ice presents Spotlight Magic
-Get medieval: Autumn Knights Renaissance Faire set
-Celeste Ng headlines Worcester library fundraiser November 5th
-Suzanne Strempek Shea's popular memoir talk comes to Webster
-Charlton mom's book captures spirit of late son, paralyzed in 1997 crash
>OPINION: Sunita Razdan: Lend nature a hand - leave fallen leaves in yard
-WCCA-TV's Chandler Chat No. 509 (28:27): Nativity School of Worcester
-WCCA-TV's Coffee with Konnie No. 545 (29:27): Hank Stolz
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (26:00): Journalists' superpower and Worcester media in 2026
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to local woman who worked as a baking teacher
>SPORTS: Patriots-Bears preview: Keys to victory, prediction and more
-Drake Maye vs. Caleb Williams a battle of electric, maturing quarterbacks
-Patriots injured reserve activations explained: Decisions await
-Why Patriots cannot afford not to start Caleb Lomu each week
-NFL Week 7 schedule, TV and announcers
-Mechanics Hall ready to rumble as boxing returns after long absence
-Holy Cross women's hockey team hits the road to face Dartmouth
-Holy Cross baseball announces Fall World Series
>NATIONAL: Nobel-winning A.I. pioneer warns: Befriend bots or "we're toast"
-How many Americans support second execution attempt for Christa Pike
-Ukraine's $500 drones slaughtered America's $25 million tanks in recent war game
-Tragic: Swimmer, 65, killed by shark despite wearing repellent band
>NEW ENGLAND: Officers say Matthew Farwell was agitated in days before Sandra Birchmore's death (2:49)
-Lawmakers reject Gov. Healey's gas tax suspension plan (:26)
-Massachusetts leads nation in lottery spending again
>COLLEGES: Clark Family & Friends Weekend 2026
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Half of Americans return home more drained than relaxed after a vacation, new survey says
>BUSINESS: Amazon hiring 6,000 seasonal workers in Mass.
-Radio Worcester (22:08): W.B.D.C. and Webster Five explain small business financing
-LPL Financial Research: Moats vs. inertia: Unpacking the personal A.I. agent threat
-Meta ordered to pay New Mexico $25 billion for deceiving users
>SHOPPING: Warning issued against 400,000 pressure cookers due to burn risk
>HOMES: Americans are abandoning a beloved tradition — and experts reveal 5 reasons why
>HEALTH: Sexually transmitted diarrhea is morphing into a superbug
-Medicare Advantage plan cuts: United, Humana reduce benefits for 1 million
>FOOD: Daily Dish: Baked salmon and rice
>TV/STREAMING: Elizabeth Holmes docs to watch before "You Can See Everything"
>MOVIES: Trailer for new Idris Elba movie, "Above the Below" (1:38)
>CELEBRITY: Selma Blair speaks out after mid-flight meltdown, arrest
-Judge tosses child sex abuse indictment against Timothy Busfield
>ANIMALS: Tiny cat loves swimming just as much as exploring the world (2:39)
>HISTORY: Building 19 author on nostalgia event this weekend (11:28)
>GOOD NEWS: Couple struck by lightning while walking hand in hand, hail Good Samaritan hikers for saving their lives
-Meanwhile, in Colorado, bear steals bag of gear from fire station
Latest obituaries | | Wednesday's Highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
+Full-time police officer, West Boylston Police Department
-Bartenders, Worcester Restaurant Group
-Plow truck drivers, town of Shrewsbury
-Snow plow contractors, town of Shrewsbury
-Bartenders, Grafton Street restaurant
See all Help Wanteds | | Job opening? Post it here for FREE today
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
