Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+7:00: 50 new cases in Worcester, 165 total, 28 in Shrewsbury, 16 in Grafton, 7 in Holden, 4 in Leicester. Press conference video (36:15)
+7:00: 'Worcester is made for this moment' (5:06)
+7:00: Construction on Polar Park halted until May 4
+7:00: Worcester State students may now designate any undergraduate course pass/fail
+7:00: Gun Parlor in Worcester shouldn’t have been open, Baker says
+7:00: Radio Worcester's Worcester Wednesday with Mayor Joe Petty (17:36): Worcester Readies for the COVID-19 Wave
+7:00: Worcester Cultural Coalition announces artist relief grants
+7:00: State totals: 33 new deaths, 122 total deaths, 1,118 new cases, 7,738 total, 51,738 tested. Story
+7:00: Fitchburg arena outfitted as morgue
+7:00: 6-week-old newborn from Connecticut dies
+7:00: Market Basket introducing social distancing measures, limiting number of shoppers
+7:00: 'Somebody's got to do it': forklift driver who moves coronavirus victims
+7:00: Celebrities do their thing: Carole King sings 'So far away', Samuel L. Jackson reads 'Stay the (bad word) at home'
+11:00: Researchers at WPI working to make automated ventilators
+11:00: Now is the time for community, by Tim Garvin, United Way of Central Mass.
+11:00: Not surprising, Part I: Alcohol sales way up (:26)
+11:00: Not surprising, Part II: Men wash their hands much less often than women, research finds
+7:15: Worcester nursing home move on hold after resident tests positive (1:02)
+7:15: Worcester Together: Central Mass COVID-19 Fund accepting applications
-Here’s when the coronavirus ‘wave’ in Mass. hits peak: study
-14 new cases in Worcester, 115 total, 21 in Shrewsbury, 16 in Grafton, 7 in Holden, 2 in Leicester. Press conference video (27:01)
-At War With Coronavirus: Saint Vincent nurse details struggle
-Worcester man with coronavirus says seasonal ailments make recognizing symptoms hard
-CVS Health to expand testing at Shrewsbury location
-DCU Center to be 250-bed field medical station (1:48). Story
-WRTA approves boarding change, free rides
-Claremont Academy teachers share school spirit with students
-WCCA-TV (30:42) -- Daily Breaking March 31
-New online activity portal 'Rec Woo' launches
-The 016 receives Facebook Community Network grant to increase coronavirus coverage
-Worcester Business Journal to host free webinars on $2T stimulus package
-With schools closed, Clark volunteers take tutoring online
-Chancellor Collins' message to UMass Medical community (5:45)
-UMass Medical School graduates new doctors in virtual ceremony
-State totals: 33 new deaths, 868 new cases, 6,620 total cases, 89 deaths, 46,935 tested
-Gov. Baker extends stay-at-home advisory until May 4
-A Wicked Vacant Boston: Eerie daytime scenes from the Hub (3:03)
-Hotels & Airbnbs in Mass. not allowed for leisure during crisis (1:20)
-What you need to do to get your government stimulus check
-RVs get new role as 'quarantine and isolation housing' and for homeless
-Captain of aircraft carrier with growing coronavirus outbreak pleads for help from Navy
-Lenders blocked plan to protect Americans' credit scores amid coronavirus
-Whole Food workers prepare to strike because of virus exposure concerns
-Walmart announces new steps, including temperature checks
-Critical supplies to donate? Here's who to call
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Former Assumption star Deonte Harris, an NFL Pro Bowler, donates meals to hometown
In Other News
+11:30: UPDATED: Here are the restaurants open for take out or delivery
+11:00: Soaking rain system on the way
+11:00: Fines for violating state's hands-free driving law start today
-High-speed chase leads to heroin charges for Dudley woman
-Tractor-trailer rollover on Pike ramp in Auburn
-Looking for some inspiration? Watch: Maple the woodchuck does some stair climbing at EcoTarium in Worcester
-Worcesteria: Buses, boredom and the coming bacchanal
-Wicked Bites TV visits The Dogfather (2:38)
-A piece of history in Shrewsbury is no more
-Area coaches, administrators applaud MIAA's decision to keep fighting for spring season
-Name the 5 songs from the '80s with the word "heart" in their titles and sign up to win a $25 Bravehearts gift card!
-Magnitude 6.5 earthquake strikes in Idaho
-At the office: Boss accidentally morphs into potato during videoconference
-Local businesses: Have an offer or deal you want people to know about? Let us know
-Latest obituaries | | -Yesterday's highlights | | -Latest weather
In The News
>WEATHER: High of 71 today in Worcester (3:36)
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+4:00: As Robert Stoddard slept, thieves made off with 9 valuable paintings, including recovered Avercamp
+4:00: Related: Stolen Dutch master painting back in Worcester after nearly 47 years — to be shown at Worcester Art Museum
+4:00: Man arrested after pursuit through Worcester Common
+4:00: WPI lays off 24 employees, citing rising costs and federal uncertainty
+4:00: Radio Worcester (9:25): At airport, 44 acre solar farm planned and American Eagle flights return
+4:00: Holy Cross baseball falls to North Carolina in NCAA regional tourney opener
+4:00: 210 Sports' Friday 4: Handshakes, USA Hockey, Touch the trophy, and Wienie racing
+Noon: It's Friday! Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making plans
+Noon: Table Hoppin': Bella Pizzeria brings Brazilian pizza to Worcester
+Noon: New shows & movies to watch this weekend
+Noon: New movies on demand — "Fight or Flight," "The King of Kings" and more
-Counterfeit ticket scam leads to parents missing Worcester high school graduation
-Related: Worcester Technical High School graduation (1:23:13)
-Facing eviction, Worcester's Boston Market owner plans a rebranding instead
-Worcester police arrest suspect in connection with shooting near University Park
-D.O.J. retracts investigations of 8 police departments. What about Worcester?
-Renters find relief at Worcester legal clinic to clear their eviction records
-Providence & Worcester train derails in Rhode Island neighborhood
-W.R.T.A. adds new accessible vans to paratransit fleet
-Bullet found in parking lot of Auburn Middle School; school had been dismissed
-Traditional food and music on tap at Middle Eastern Festival
-100 FM The Pike (9:38): Middle Eastern Festival
-Mass. Attorney General issues guidance on rights during I.C.E. enforcement
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (26:00): Banned from City Hall — The boundaries of protest
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (48:22): Fallout from the State of the City protest
>DINING OUT (brought to you by Patsie Dugan's): Red Lobster menu changes — Under $20, hush puppies, Happy Hour deals
-ICYMI: Police investigating death of college student in Worcester
-Work begins on $120 million downtown Worcester housing development
-Vandal leaves offensive messages on sign outside Worcester middle school
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): June Among Friends senior newsletter
-Jazzed Up Duo 5:30 to 8:30 Saturday at Val's
-Lamoureux Ford offers huge discounts! (2:53)
-May & June Senior Center events
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Joann Fabrics officially closes in Shrewsbury
-Join the inaugural Shrewsbury Pride 5K Run/Walk
-Struggling Quabbin Reservoir towns make public appeal for more state funding
-James Ettamarna, Christine Watkins will join Sutton Select Board
-West Boylston ballot features races, override
-New senior center director introduced in West Boylston
-Clinton Select Board restricts recycling center to residents only amid surge of use by outsiders
-The Item's calendar of events
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: James Oliver Band, M'bolo, Jay Sully and more ...
-Shakira, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn concerts at Fenway Park canceled after sources say staging fell apart (3:44). Article
-"American Idol" winner David Cook to headline annual Pet Rock Fest
-Summer@Music Worcester returns with 3 different concerts
-Worcester students eye "Origin" as part of ArtsWorcester Future Arts Workers
-WCCA-TV's Mayor's Forum No. 53 (28:26): Dr. Tasia Cerezo, Meryl's Safe Haven
-Unity Radio's Cannabis 101 (31:48)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester man who expanded his family's trucking business
>SPORTS: TODAY! What to know before Bravehearts Home Opener
-Bravehearts Opening Night giveaway. Next home game: 6:30 Today. Get tickets here
-Bravehearts fall to Starfires, 10-6
-Vrabel's vibes, Drake Maye's relationship with Josh McDaniels (6:47)
-Jordon Hudson's raunchy sexual innuendo from viral Bill Belichick getaway revealed
-Holy Cross baseball to face No. 1 North Carolina in Chapel Hill Regional
-Related: Crusaders celebrate resilient journey to NCAA Tournament
-WooSox beat RailRiders, 3-2
>CARS: Ford recalls more than 1 million vehicles due to rearview camera issue
>NATIONAL: Blatten, Switzerland buried following glacier collapse (2:13). Photos
-4-year-old Mexican girl faces deportation amid medical crisis
>TRAGIC: Teen dies from playing social media "tackle game"
>NEW ENGLAND: Major traffic trouble on the Mass. Pike begins today (2:07). Article
-Around 40 people arrested during I.C.E. operations on Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard
-Karen Read trial (21:07): The prosecution rested its case — our experts grade it
>COLLEGES: Celebrate the Holy Cross Class of 2025
-WPI graduate commencement (:27)
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): What American tourists should know about "terrorism" threat in Italy
>BUSINESS: Central Mass. nonprofits snag portion of $6.7 million for small business training
-LPL Financial Research: Can earnings catch up to this stock market rally?
-Most employees would invite family or a friend on a work trip
>SHOPPING: Shoppers are exploiting retail return policies
>HEALTH: Mental health organizations in Mass. struggle with federal funding cuts (:57)
-Doctor on Hepatitis A after exposure warning issued at Mass. eatery (3:10)
>FOOD: Coke or Pepsi? Best-selling sodas in America in 2024 revealed
>TV/STREAMING: Worcester plays strong supporting role in episode of "The Walking Dead"
>MOVIES: Trailer for new Pete Davidson horror movie, "The Home" (1:58)
>CELEBRITY: Sarah Silverman reveals A-lister who saved her after "SNL" firing
>ANIMALS: Lonely puppy who wasn't moving slowly comes back to life (1:44)
>HISTORY: Then & Now: Burke Square, Main and Ripley streets, Worcester
>GOOD NEWS: Woman's gas stop turns into 6-figure lottery win
-Meanwhile, in Utah, 7-year-old boy drove his little sister to get McDonald's
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
+Multiple positions, Nancy Chang Restaurant
+Police officers, town of Leicester
-Worcester Area Director (part-time), Matthew 25
-Part-time bartender, Patsie Dugan's
See all Help Wanteds | | Job opening? Post it here for FREE today
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