Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+7:30: 29 new cases in Worcester, 715 total. 89 in Shrewsbury, 31 Grafton, 28 Holden, 14 Leicester. Press conference video (27:26)
+7:30: Employees of essential businesses, restaurants in Worcester required to wear masks under new order
+7:30: Cases reported by Central Mass. cities, towns as of Monday
+7:30: UMass Memorial Medical Center support staff seek hazard pay, testing
+7:30: State totals: 88 new deaths, 844 total, 1,392 new cases, 26,867 total, 122,049 tested
+7:30: Changes come to Mass. grocery stores (1:39)
+2:30: If construction shutdown lasts until June, WooSox likely won't start on time
+2:30: Hanover will return $30M in auto premiums for April, May, to eligible customers
+2:30: WCCA-TV 'Daily Breaking' (27:33): Victoria Waterman, CEO, Girls Inc. of Worcester
+2:30: California cop dies after twice being denied test
+2:30: John Krasinski does it again, gets health workers free phone service, lifetime Sox tix (1:16)
+11:00: 1,000 cases of bananas donated to Worcester's schools, pantries, shelters
+11:00: ThisWeekInWorcester.com launches a COVID-19 dashboard
+11:00: Essential manufacturers in Central Mass. have found a way to produce
+11:00: BU says students may not be able to return until January (:28)
+11:00: 212 residents, staff at Cambridge nursing homes test positive
+11:00: Celeb chef and Worcester native Geoffrey Zakarian hosting 'Great New York Foodathon'
+11:00: Does cooking kill the coronavirus? And more food questions answered
+11:00: Coronavirus likely spread in California as early as December: official
-46 new cases in Worcester, 686 total, 86 in Shrewsbury, 30 in Grafton, 28 in Holden, 10 in Leicester. No press conference on Easter Sunday
-Ch. 5: Worcester EMTs now being used for telemedicine calls (1:48)
-IRS says first batch of stimulus checks have been sent
-UMass Medical students make 130 gallons of hand sanitizer
-Many essential grocery store employees enjoyed day off (2:01)
-New Yorker profile of Dr. Anthony Fauci, a Holy Cross grad
-Closing the Distance - Video Series from College of the Holy Cross (11:16)
-ICYMI: SIGN OF THE TIMES -- 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11, North Main Street heading toward Highland Street, Worcester
-ICYMI: Auburn firefighters working 96-hour shifts, taking other extreme measures to prevent further spread
-State totals: 70 new deaths, 756 total, 2,615 new cases, 25,475 total, 116,730 tested. Story
-Mass. communities begin new restrictions to fight spread (2:07)
-Thousands of Bay State healthcare workers to begin receiving hazard pay
-States say rapid coronavirus testing machines sitting idle
-Every state under disaster declaration for first time in U.S. history
-585 cases among USS Theodore Roosevelt crew
-Fauci says ‘rolling reentry’ of U.S. economy possible in May
-Projected Mass. surge peak now April 26, death toll increases, latest data shows
-Poll: 72% will not attend sporting events until vaccine available
-Local news around nation: 5 grocery store clerks die, more than 200 sick at food processing plant and more
-Michigan woman loses entire family to coronavirus within days
-At the office: Americans boozing it up while working at home, study shows
-On the lighter side: 93-year-old's plea for more beer during lockdown goes viral
-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
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Anonymous donor gives every household in small Iowa town $150 in gift cards for food
In Other News
+2:30: I-290 lanes in Auburn closed overnight Wednesday, Thursday
-Latest weather: Rain and heavy, possibly damaging winds
-Worcester Police searching for SUV that knocked rider off motorcycle
-Mark Your Calendar: Monday, April 27 is 'Take Out Day' in Worcester
-Wayward goat removed from package store property in Worcester
-Vehicle slams into utility pole in Charlton; many lose power
-6 dead as storms, tornadoes tear through Mississippi
-ICYMI: Retired Hanover CEO Eppinger pledges match for EcoTarium fundraising drive
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): Virtual tour of 36 Inman Ave, Worcester (4:11)
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
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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
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