Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+7:45: 111 new cases in Worcester, 593 total. 78 in Shrewsbury, 29 in Grafton, 28 in Holden, 8 in Leicester. Press conference video (21:29)
+7:45: Dozens of new cases ID'd at Holy Trinity Nursing center and SMOC shelter
+7:45: No MCAS tests for students the rest of this year
+7:45: Residents show appreciation with donations to local police
+7:45: State totals: 96 new deaths, 599 total, 2,033 new cases, 20,974 total, 102,372 tested
+12:35: 28 veterans have died after testing positive at Holyoke Soldiers' Home (:22)
+12:35: Reports of child abuse, neglect plummeting across New England. That’s not good
+9:15: Who's offering takeout for Easter? Check Dining Out!
+8:20: Conn. schools, non-essential businesses to remain closed until at least May 20
+8:20: Coronavirus-related deaths at Littleton senior living facility doubles to 10
-Billy Riley, St. John's Food Pantry Manager, diagnosed with COVID-19
-42 new cases in Worcester, 482 total, 72 in Shrewsbury, 29 in Grafton, 28 in Holden, 8 in Leicester. Press conference video (33:30)
-Superintendent Maureen Binienda & Sarah Kyriazis on WGBH's 'In It Together'
-Diocese of Worcester designates, trains younger priests as special ministers to sick
-Coronavirus traces found in Mass. wastewater at levels far higher than expected
-Shelves of Worcester store stocked with pasta, toilet paper as local grocer navigates pandemic
-JetBlue requests suspension of service at Worcester Regional Airport
-‘Worcester Together’ fund approaches $4 million mark
-WCCA-TV's 'Daily Breaking' (20:43): Alex Guardiola, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
-AIDS Project Worcester program adapts to crisis
-BirchTree Bread will close for two weeks during expected surge
-First look inside DCU Center field hospital on day it opens (1:33)
-Worcester seeks housing units to rent to city's homeless
-State totals: 70 new deaths, 503 total, 2,151 new cases, 18,941 total, 94,958 tested
-Baker says it's too soon to make any decisions on canceling the school year
-Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito: Domestic violence survivors 'not forgotten' (10:14)
-Nearly 140,000 people in Mass. filed for unemployment last week
-77 of 91 residents at Wilmington nursing home test positive
-Another 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment last week
-Uh oh, sports fans! Here's when one official thinks large public sporting events can take place again
-ICYMI: Updated projections show marked decrease in Mass. death toll
-Not too early to start making plans for when this is over. 52 RVs for rent you can tour online at Fuller RV Rental & Sales
-Indiana woman takes third job at assisted living facility to spend time with quarantined mother
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Sneakerama donates footwear for emergency shelters and others in need
In Other News
+7:45: No one injured in fire on Dorchester Street in Worcester
+7:45: Life Flight called in on Mass Pike tractor-trailer rollover
+7:45: Police: Wanted Shrewsbury bank robber nabbed in Framingham
+7:45: Snowstorm leaves 250K homes, businesses in dark in Maine
+12:35: Niche Hospitality announces temporary closing of all restaurants
+UPDATED 12:35 p.m. Friday: Here are the restaurants open for take out or delivery
+10:10: Police investigating robbery at Shrewsbury bank, search continues for suspect
+9:15: Restaurant, a Worcester favorite, reopens for takeout today
-Latest weather: Chilly morning followed by spot showers
-60-ton plow blocks Route 12 for three hours
-Here are Worcester's top 3 traditional American restaurants and eateries
-'Sader Stories, Episode 10 (22:06): Athletics update with Marcus Blossom
-St. Paul shall soon show its colors, mascot
-Worcester woman's sudden death, virus thwart family's 100th birthday plans
-Today's deal: Receive up to $2,500 on a 4-piece appliance bundle at Better Electric
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): New listings for homes are down 27% from a year ago, data finds
-Disney+ lands more than 50 million subscribers in 5 months
-On the lighter side: Horseback riders at Southbridge McDonald's drive-through (:16)
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (1:05). High of 20 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Suspects in fatal shooting on Dorchester Street in Worcester caught in Fitchburg
-Worcester reports fewer shootings in 2024, despite jump in homicides
-What nurses say must improve at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester
-5 townhouse units planned for Austin Street in Worcester
-Why so many Mass. breweries are closing (and what you can do about it)
-Worcester Community Housing Resources taps established executive as new leader
-Holiday travel rush continues (2:08). Article
-Worcester forum explores M.C.A.S. results and educational equity
-Worcester wants input on where to put new trash/recycling bins
-Radio Worcester (24:05): Worcester Police Union leaders respond to D.O.J. report
-Earlier: Boston Globe: Federal lawsuits lay out D.O.J. allegations against Worcester police
-Radio Worcester (17:50): Mayor Petty addresses City Council meeting amid heated debate
-Radio Worcester (19:13): City Manager Batista addresses D.O.J. report, legal strategy
>FAITH: Holy Cross professor — At Hanukkah, a celebration of eternal light − from desert tabernacle to synagogues today
>DINING OUT: Phantom Gourmet's Great 8 Unique Eateries (5:13)
-ICYMI: Midday snow delivers string of crashes in Central Mass.
-Woman struck by a car in crosswalk in Worcester
-At court hearing, 2 different pictures of fatal Worcester shooting
-Worcester D.P.W. chief Robert L. Moylan Jr. to end interim stint
-Worcester's Union Station listed among 6 of the Most Beautiful Amtrak Stations in America
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Wachusett Echo — Fantastic freshmen on varsity sports teams
-Christmas Greetings from Everyone At Lamoureux Ford (:49)
-Mountview Middle School honor roll
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Southbridge day care worker admits to abusing child (2:01)
-Barre ambulance and Verizon utility truck collide on Route 62
-Botched drug deal at Leominster group home ends with arrest of 2 women
-Rutland police to hold car seat check-up on Monday
-Auburn wants feedback on possible regionalization of 911 services
-Shrewsbury Select Board updates (:35)
-Grafton Middle School teachers honored for "Promising Practices"
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Sunday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: Candlelight tours, wrestling and holiday choral music
-Spotify's Top 10 most-streamed holiday tracks of all time revealed
-At Holy Cross, "Sojourners" captures the immigrant experience in 1970s America
>OPINION: Tom Marino: 9 years of Public Safety Committee ignoring police discipline
-Laura McCarthy-Ha: Simplifying gift-giving in a big family
-Laurelle Farrell: Lessons in a hair style…bangs
-WCCA-TV's This Is Worcester No. 211 (28:23): Sports, Sports, Sports!
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to an "accomplished and admired singer/ songwriter/ musician" born in Worcester
>SPORTS: Patriots fans will love Josh Allen’s take on Drake Maye’s future
-Van Pelt doubles down on not calling Maye runs after criticism
-NFL Week 16 schedule, TV and announcers
-Celtics beat Bulls, 123-98
-Bruins beat Sabres, 3-1
-Rickey Henderson, Baseball Hall of Famer and league's all-time stolen bases leader, dies at 65
-Railers beat Maine, 5-1
>NATIONAL: 2 Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent "friendly fire" incident
-Grandparent caregiving declines amid pandemic changes
-Tragic: Grandmother, 80, dies after getting trapped in Sleep Number bed for 2 days: lawsuit
>NEW ENGLAND: State police say Friday's storm caused 200 crashes across state (:22)
-Hypothermic hiker rescued by helicopter in White Mountains (:27)
>COLLEGES: Assumption Professor Cinzia Pica named Visiting Scholar at Harvard
-Anna Maria AMCAST (50:10): Holiday Movies 2.0
-Clark professor gives lecture on what it means to be a feminist in wartime
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Waldorf-Astoria insists hotel will reopen in spring
>BUSINESS: Central Mass. business by the numbers
-Financial planning for parents’ assisted living
>HOMES: Tips for moving
>SHOPPING: Cozy gifts your mom will love this holiday season (4:04)
-Holiday gift ideas from unique local businesses across Mass. (4:58)
>HEALTH: Expert explains possible risks, benefits of raw milk (2:49)
-Dr. Todd Ellerin on vaccines and their impact on children (3:40)
>FOOD: Taco Bell unveils new menu item
>TV/STREAMING: Trailer for new Netflix doc, "Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action" (2:21)
>MOVIES: "Barbie 2" in early stages with Greta Gerwig returning to write
>CELEBRITY: James Kennedy arrested for domestic violence weeks after getting fired from "Vanderpump Rules"
>HISTORY: City Hospital, circa 1907
>ANIMALS: Dog becomes mama to a litter of tiny rescue kittens (1:42)
>GOOD NEWS: Man with a rare tumor was told he had months to live. Now, he's cancer-free
-Meanwhile, Mariah Carey fans get into a wild fight at Christmas concert: "On the naughty list"
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