Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+5:45: 104 new cases in Worcester, 1,067 total, Shrewsbury 105 (2 new cases), Grafton 40 (+1), Holden 29 (0), Leicester 19 (+2). Press conference video (36:41)
+5:10: State totals: 702 long-term care home deaths, 1,404 total, 2,221 new cases, 34,402 total, 148,744 tested
+4:45: Mayor, city manager: Shining a light in dark times, Worcester comes together
+4:45: BJ’s opens doors to first responders, healthcare workers without memberships
+4:45: Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center reopens for area healthcare workers, first responders
+4:45: Nearly half of developmentally disabled at state home infected (1:05)
+4:45: Researchers: Arthritis drug promising treatment
+4:45: SEE THE LIST: 5 Great Activities for Families at Home
+11:15: Emergency daycares, including some in Worcester, running low
+11:15: Worcester Chamber President/CEO Tim Murray comments on another COVID-19 unemployment surge
+11:15: Reliant Foundation adds $45,500 to COVID-19 emergency fund
+11:15: Crisis causing financial stress for nearly 9 in 10 Americans
+8:15: Cases reported by Central Mass. cities, towns as of Thursday
+8:15: Opinion: COVID-19 numbers don't tell whole story at Jewish Healthcare Center in Worcester
-53 new cases in Worcester, 963 total, Shrewsbury 103 (+8 cases), Grafton 39 (+4), Holden 29 (+0), Leicester 17 (+2). Press conference video (33:23)
-Worcester will order customers to wear face coverings at grocery stores, essential businesses
-Quality Inn in Worcester could be COVID-19 shelter for homeless
-At height of coronavirus battle, nurses being furloughed in Worcester
-Feds deny JetBlue’s request to suspend air service in Worcester
-COVID-19 Heroes -- Life as a Saint V's PCA during pandemic
-COVID-19 in Central Mass: Remembering those who have died
-Worcester health centers face critical PPE shortage
-ICYMI: Ch. 4: Exclusive look inside UMass Memorial's coronavirus testing lab (1:59)
-State totals: 137 new deaths, 1,245 total, 2,263 new cases, 32,181 total, 140,773 tested
-Baker: Residents can expect decision on extending statewide stay-at-home advisory, school closures in near future
-102,828 in Mass. file for unemployment, new claims down 26% from last week
-Death toll at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home increases to 52
-All N.H. schools will continue remote learning for rest of school year
-Small business relief program runs out of money
-Every country must meet 6 conditions before stay-at-home orders can be safely lifted
-Navy may reinstate USS Theodore Roosevelt captain
-Good dog! Dogs might be able to sniff out the coronavirus
-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
-On the lighter side: New England Toy company creates Dr. Fauci plush doll, complete with cape
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Quinn's Irish Pub launches 'Food for the Front Line' initiative
In Other News
+5:10: Man arraigned for alleged rape of teenager out of Dudley
+5:00: Latest weather: 6-8 inches of snow now forecast (not kidding)
+4:45: Worcester Parking Ban goes into effect at 7 p.m. Friday
+4:45: Updated list of restaurants offering take out or delivery
+4:45: New St. Paul High School names coaches for 2020 fall season
+1:15: Updated hours for Worcester-area grocery stores
+11:15: You can now book JetBlue flights from Worcester into 2021
-Convicted Worcester restaurateur plans to seek early release
-Weintraub’s Deli landmark neon sign to be moved to Brew Yard at Kelley Square
-Last brother of Worcester's famed musicians, Jerry Loconto, dies
-Worcester's Doherty High School project moves on to schematic design phase
-Worcester's Mulcahy Field to get a face-lift
-Red Sox' anger mounts over MLB's stalled 2018 investigation
-Shopping: Apple releases low cost iPhone (:26)
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): Houseplants bring added health benefits to your home
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:30). High of 56 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+Noon: Man fleeing police crashes into State Police cruiser, Worcester police say
+Noon: It's Friday! Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making plans
+Noon: New shows and movies to watch this weekend
+Noon: New movies on demand — "Dune: Part Two," "Immaculate," and more
+Noon: Mark Cecil's epic fable "Bunyan and Henry" leads back to Worcester
+Noon: "Beyond the Frames: A Musical Celebration" set for Mechanics Hall
-51-year-old amputee playing baseball at Quinsigamond Community College after accident ended trucking career (2:21). Article
-Worcester’s city employee salary database for 2023: see the city’s top earners and more
-Worcester public housing community receives high inspection score, despite complaints
-GoFundMe created to benefit family of Worcester shooting victim Bob Nuah
-Worcester judge orders fourth triple shooting suspect held without bail
-Charged in Worcester girl's death, Christopher Remillard awaits trial
-W.R.T.A. board votes to extend fare-free buses through 2025
-W.B.J. hires New School graduate as reporter covering health care, D.E.I.
-Danish educators learn classroom A.I. from Worcester teachers
-Worcester Tech senior Stephen highlighted as a Worcester Star Student
-Radio Worcester (15:55): Eric Batista discusses Worcester gun violence & city plans
-Faces of Worcester: Sean Harris, Director of Community Engagement, Quinsigamond Community College
>DINING OUT: Phantom Gourmet's Great 8 Unique Restaurant Locations (5:02)
-ICYMI: Rutland teen killed in crash during motocross race in Southwick
-Channel 5 Wake Up Call from Chandler Magnet Elementary School in Worcester (:46)
-New Worcester Police Department gun unit recovers first illegal firearm
-Cordella's Coffee opens in Worcester on bustling block
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Eagle Scout project refurbishes church lounge
-Lamoureux Ford salutes the UConn Huskies (:54)
-Spring composting 8 to 2:30 Saturday
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): West Boylston plans override, amount T.B.D.
-Sutton solar project remains under enforcement order
-Clinton P.T.A. now "award winning"
-Rutland hydrant flushing begins April 22nd
-Q.C.C. Early College Program coming to Southbridge High School
-9 Grafton B.V.T. students earn medals at District V competition
-The Item's public safety logs
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Taylor Swift unveils surprise double album "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology" -- and fans go wild
-Five things to do: Motorheads, mind readers, moments of music
-Richard Thomas in "To Kill a Mockingbird" in Worcester
-Street style served up fresh at fashion show
-Northampton cosmic metal act Black Pyramid set to invade Central Mass.
-Worcester State prof and poet Heather Treseler wins prize for "enthralling" poems
-WCCA-TV's Chandler Chat No. 421 (27:14): Dr. Lynda Young
-Unity Radio (55:04): Standups and Standouts
-This Week in Worcester Podcast (51:27): Public restrooms, youth justice reform, Rep. McGovern on Gaza
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to local 17-year-old killed in crash
>SPORTS: Former Worcester Academy star T.J. Power of Shrewsbury leaving Duke, enters transfer portal
-Boston police warn Bruins, Celtics fans about counterfeit playoff tickets
-Eliot Wolf, Patriots "open for business" entering NFL Draft
-NFL Draft Preview featuring Holy Cross stars Jalen Coker and C.J. Hanson (33:06)
-Holy Cross Athletics announces return of Coaches Road Show
-Clark's Isaiah Taylor to host free youth basketball clinic Saturday on campus
-Red Sox lose to Cleveland, 5-4
-WooSox postponed, doubleheader Saturday
-Remembering Larry Lucchino, eulogy by Dr. Charles Steinberg
>CARS: Bertera has the all-star team to help you find your next Nissan car or truck (:39)
-About 55,000 Prius, Prius HEV compact cars recalled
>NATIONAL: 6 arrested, 3 on run in what police call biggest gold theft in Canada’s history
-Shocking video captures scam victim pointing gun at innocent Uber driver before allegedly killing her
-Tragic: Video shows cop shooting 15-year-old with toy gun
>NEW ENGLAND: James Parker granted parole in 2001 Zantop murders
-11-year-old Maine boy killed after crashing friend's A.T.V.
>COLLEGES: Anna Maria’s play raises money for local charity
-Student entrepreneurs make a splash at WooTank
-Winners of Nichols' annual Elevator Speech Competition announced
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): The 8 most underrated places in Switzerland
>BUSINESS: Retail sales rose in March for the second straight month
-LPL Research: Revisiting energy
-W.B.J.'s 5 Things I know about ... Still overlooked money basics
>SHOPPING: Yoto mini recall affects 250,000 speakers for kids due to fire risk
>HOMES: See all homes sold in Worcester County, April 7th to 13th
>HEALTH: Mass. doctor on new warning about measles (2:36)
-Cardiac arrest and COVID vaccines aren't linked in young, C.D.C. says
>FOOD: Central Mass. Mom's Best Ice Cream Shops in Central Mass.
>TV/STREAMING: CNN axes Charles Barkley and Gayle King's weekly show "King Charles"
>MOVIES: A fifth "Matrix" movie is in the works
>CELEBRITY: Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
>ANIMALS: Puppy thrown in trash is unrecognizable now (3:01)
>HISTORY: George Frisbie Hoar Monument
>GOOD NEWS (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Couple a perfect match in marriage and in their kidneys
-Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, woman goes ballistic while being arrested on Spirit plane
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