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: 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
+6:00: Man dies from injuries suffered in Worcester shooting that also claimed life of woman
-Earlier: Neighbors shocked after woman killed in Worcester shooting; man also injured (1:46). Article
-Earlier: Woman dead, man injured in Worcester shooting (:59). Article
+6:00: Northbridge animal control officer mistakes dog for coyote, shoots and kills it (1:56). Article
+6:00: 100FM The Pike (6:28): The Pike Breakdown Lane
+6:00: Radio Worcester (8:15): Former Worcester City Councilor Sean Rose announces at-large bid
+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
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