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Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:00: This early Omicron symptom is one you should watch for
+6:00: Omicron will "find just about everybody," Dr. Fauci says, but vaccinated people will still fare better
-Questionable test site pops up in Worcester
-This week's testing schedule in Downtown Worcester
-Radio Worcester (16:17): Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus talks COVID, freezing temps, snow removal and the WooSox
-Omicron no different than other strains in exposing inequities in Worcester
-Tribute to local 21-year-old woman who died due to COVID-related cardiac problem
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Shrewsbury schools note spike in cases, discuss challenges with contact tracing
-You can’t find a test kit. Schools can’t teach remotely. Graftonites are still catching COVID
-ICYMI: Surging cases straining Central Mass. health care providers, services in Worcester
-Mass. officials report nearly 18,000 new cases, 116 additional deaths with 22 percent positivity rate
-Mass. reports more than 82,000 new breakthrough cases, 112 additional deaths among vaccinated residents
-Is Mass. nearing peak of latest surge?
-Wastewater suggests surge of Omicron cases may be falling off
-Mass. buys millions of tests, changes isolation protocols
-Having trouble downloading your digital proof of vaccination in Mass.? Here's what to do (2:10)
-You should not deliberately catch Omicron to "get it over with"
In The News
-Latest weather: Windy, high of 31 today in Worcester
+6:00: Sinkhole caused by large water main break swallows dump truck on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester
+6:00: Radio Worcester's Worcester Wednesday with Mayor Petty (14:52): Trash bags, public participation, COVID and more
+6:00: Spencer man feeds hundreds of families in need
+6:00: Meat is finally getting cheaper. But these other foods aren’t
+Noon: Water main break closes Shrewsbury Street on Wednesday
+Noon: COVID causes more havoc with concerts canceled or postponed
+Noon: Artist Spotlight: Alice Dillon
+Noon: Worcester ranked among 10 worst cities for bagel lovers
-Judge allows critical DNA evidence in case of runner slain in Princeton
-Westborough police issue warning after truck slams into cruisers assisting with crash on Route 9
-WRTA cuts some service on Fridays
-Millbury man wins $4 million jackpot
-Nick Andreson, who owned Colonial Bowling Center in Worcester for 60 years, dies at 92
-5 Things You Need To Know Today In Worcester - January 12th
-A taste of Greece and neighborhood togetherness at Kalamos Market in Worcester
-Vote for the best Italian sub in Worcester Cookoff Competition
-How cold was it? Dish of spaghetti freezes with fork suspended in mid-air as temps atop Mt. Washington plummet
-Notre Dame Academy will make its first ever appearance on the GBH's "High School Quiz Show"
-ICYMI: Can you help Worcester police find these 2 missing teenage girls?
-Worcester man given $1 million lottery ticket for Christmas
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for Wednesday
-Wachusett Wine & Spirits' Whiskey Wednesday (1:08:04): Amanda Beckwith from Virginia Distillery
-Worcesteria: Want to get involved in city government? Boards, committees have open seats
-St. John's Food for the Poor offered meals and warm shelter
-Worcester's Quality of Life task force helps homeless in extreme cold
-LIFT advocates for vulnerable during pandemic
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-Sports: Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-The Top 10 teams, the best performances and some games to watch in Central Mass. girls' basketball
-Tuukka Rask is officially back with the Bruins
-Cars: This is the best month to buy at car at Bertera Nissan (5:21)
-Take a look at new 2022 Four Winds RV now in at Fuller RV in Boylston
-National: Baby and 3 others survive after medical helicopter crashes outside Delaware County church
-U.S. Mint begins shipping quarters honoring Maya Angelou
-New England: Inmates sue Lancaster prison, alleging unprovoked beatings by guards
-Tragic: NYC man who was at work lost his entire family to Bronx apartment building fire
-Business: Saint Vincent Hospital owner made $3.3 billion in 2021 despite strike
-Bank of America slashing fees for overdrafts, eliminating charge for bounced checks
-Colleges: UMass Medical School doctor get 2nd grant to study cancer that affects children
-In just one semester, esports league at Clark has become a central hub for gaming
-16 top colleges sued for alleged violation of federal antitrust laws by colluding on their financial-aid practices
-Health: Red Cross, urging donations, declares its first-ever "blood crisis"
-Homes: Worcester real estate roundup
-History: Former Art Museum School, Worcester, circa 1915
-TV/Streaming: "Dexter" finale recap: Most of episode filmed in Worcester area
-New on DVD: Journey to desert world with sci-fi saga "Dune"
-Food: Here's why grocery stores are struggling to stock their empty shelves
-Celebrity: Dwayne Hickman, "Dobie Gillis" star, dead at 87
-Animals: Pets available for adoption near Worcester
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Kid uses Christmas money to buy blankets, snacks for homeless
-Meanwhile, in China, more than 80 escaped ostriches run loose through city
Latest obituaries | | Tuesday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (1:27). High of 48 today in Worcester
-How much total snow is Massachusetts forecast to get this winter? (6:11). Article
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+Noon: Neighbors shocked after woman killed in Worcester shooting; man also injured (1:46). Article
-Earlier: Woman dead, man injured in Worcester shooting (:59). Article
+Noon: Sarah Connell Sanders: "Compassionate care" is front and center at UMass' Maternity Center
+Noon: Stolen stained-glass window returned to Worcester Art Museum
+Noon: Magic of "The Nutcracker" ballet is returning to Worcester
+Noon: Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making weekend plans
+Noon: New shows and movies to watch this weekend
-John Piccolo, popular Worcester restaurant owner, charged in City Hall attack
-Earlier: Activist sprayed with paint outside City Council meeting; suspect is Worcester restaurateur (2:10). Article
-Tensions boil over as Worcester board grills developer over Polar Park project delays
-Earlier: Worcester councilors frustrated by stalled plans for development around Polar Park
-To meet housing crisis, report finds Gateway Cities need twice as much construction
-Former District 1 City Councilor Sean Rose announces at-large run
-18 months after surprise inspection, Community Healthlink not back to normal operations
-76 become new citizens at naturalization ceremony in Worcester
-Losses mourned, lives celebrated at emotional Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony
-Mass. says some police officers have been bypassing required training (3:06). Article
-Earlier: Worcester probing 27 officers state says fast-forwarded mandatory online training
-Worcester County Wonders: Shrewsbury woman rescues raptors one feather at a time
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (24:35): Breaking down the Polar Park deficit
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (48:19): Polar Park, tax rolls and deportation debate
>DINING OUT: Brazillian Burguer to open at former Shrewsbury Street donut shop
-ICYMI: Worcester-area Stop & Shop inventory limited after cyberattack
-David Crowley, part of family that runs Wachusett Mountain, dies at 69
-Man in late 60s, 2 cats killed in early morning condo fire in Leominster
-Charles Luster, co-founder of Uncommonwealth Group, running for Worcester City Council
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Holden tax rate drops, bills rise
-Long-term employees make it fun to own a car or truck from Lamoureux Ford (3:50)
-Wachusett Echo Teacher Profile: Chelsea Blasco
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Shrewsbury seeks plow drivers for winter season
-Grafton tax rate down, values up for fiscal 2025
-Board approves single tax rate for all types of property for Sutton
-The Item's calendar of events
-Clinton E.L.P.A.C. hosts holiday family potluck
-2 Berlin firefighters graduate from academy
-Nashoba Class of 2004 to hold 20-year reunion on November 29th
-Organization gets federal grant for new grocery store in Winchendon
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Five Things to Do: African Talent, "Songs of the Season," and more
-Fractal Tribe art collective set to bring light to holiday festival
-Hunting phantoms, talking puppets bring humor to stage Friday and Saturday
-Jim & Val bring Second Saturdays to Apple Tree Arts
-WCCA-TV's Soapbox No. 1354 (28:06): Mark Henderson, Founder, The 016
-39th annual meeting of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau (54:58)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester woman who was a longtime kindergarten teacher
>SPORTS: Boston Celtics visit the White House (12:33)
-Patriots owner Robert Kraft snubbed again in Hall of Fame bid (2:22). Article
-Bruins beat Utah, 1-0
-2004 Boston Red Sox ring and World Series trophy owned by Larry Lucchino featured in upcoming auction
-Joe Nugent steps up for Crusaders men's basketball team
-Holy Cross women’s basketball announces 3 signings
-Check out the schedule for upcoming road races in Central Mass.
>NATIONAL: Are future Social Security benefits in peril?
-Up to 20 human skulls found in New Mexico home
-Tragic: Missing boy with autism found dead
>NEW ENGLAND: Worker injured during "supermove" in medically induced coma with third-degree burns
>COLLEGES: Assumption names new chief financial officer
-Worcester State Magazine’s special 150th anniversary issue hits the stands, goes live online
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 7 of the most beautiful places to visit in the Pacific Northwest
>BUSINESS: Central Mass. unemployment rates remain higher than 2023
-LPL Financial Research: Trade, tariffs and inflation
-Unity Radio's L.A.B.O. News (57:40)
>HOMES: What $350,000 can buy you in Worcester County, November 10th to 16th
>SHOPPING: Amazon Haul — What to know about Amazon's new discount store
>HEALTH: Health officials track increases in whooping cough, pneumonia (2:31)
-A few hours of activity a week can lower your risk of A-fib (:58)
>FOOD: How to stay safe during foodborne illness outbreaks (2:16)
>TV/STREAMING: "Jeopardy" contestant’s heart-wrenching interview leaves Ken Jennings speechless
>MOVIES: Matthew McConaughey reveals why he turned down $15 million role
>CELEBRITY: Jussie Smollett’s conviction in 2019 attack on himself is overturned
>HISTORY: Founded in Boston, Staples ushered in era of office supply superstores
>ANIMALS: Cyclist finds puppy in the middle of nowhere (2:08)
>GOOD NEWS: Man discovers owner of his favorite bakery is his birth mother
-Meanwhile, in Miami, woman delivers baby at airport in American Airlines ticketing area
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
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