Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+5:30: 40 new cases in Worcester, 1,239 total. Shrewsbury 107 (+2 cases), Grafton 41 (0), Holden 31 (0), Leicester 21 (+2). Press conference video (27:02)
+5:30: Baker leaves door open for Mass. businesses to reopen before end of June if cases, hospitalizations decline
+5:30: Number of child coronavirus patients growing in Mass. (1:50)
+12:45: Mass. schools closed for remainder of academic year
+12:45: Radio Worcester (16:42): Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus gives a COVID-19 update (April 21)
+12:45: Radio Worcester (9:09): Chamber President & CEO Tim Murray talks expanded unemployment benefits
+9:45: CEO of St. V's owner touts focus on 'maximizing our cash position' amid furloughs
+9:45: Saint Vincent Hospital CEO shares thoughts, appreciation for hospital team, Worcester Community (6:41)
+9:45: Buck's Whiskey & Burger Bar donating 500 meals to frontline Workers
+7:30: Teachers union want Mass. schools to stay closed (1:10)
+7:30: At the office: North Carolina farm renting out animals to crash Zoom meetings
-28 new cases in Worcester, 1,199 total, Shrewsbury 105, Grafton 41 (+1), Holden 31 (+1), Leicester 19. Press conference video (26:21)
-This Week in Worcester's COVID-19 Information Center for Worcester
-Here's what reopening Worcester may look like
-Caravan for Caregivers at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester (:36)
-'Good Morning America' (1:54) -- 'I graduated early from medical school to help on the front lines,' UMass Medical School graduate
-New treatment approaches arising from virus fight in city
-Experts say it may be time for grocery stores to ban customers from coming inside
-Polar Seltzer giving away $2,500 a day this week to restaurant workers who use Instagram to list best item on their menus
-Assumption establishes $3M coronavirus relief fund for current, incoming students
-Six weeks in on being home and update from April 16 Worcester School Committee meeting from School Committee member Tracy O'Connell Novick (4:59)
-State totals: 1,809 deaths, 3,804 hospitalized, 1,566 new cases, 39,643 total, 169,398 tested. Story
-'Gig economy' workers can now apply for unemployment (1:47)
-Baker signs bill banning evictions, foreclosures during crisis
-Millions of homeowners delaying mortgage payments
-'We're right in the middle of the surge now.' Mass. at center of nationwide outbreak
-Death toll at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home increases to 62
-Heart damage emerges as another grim outcome of COVID-19’s range of complications
-Tragic: 5-year-old daughter of Detroit first responders dies after being diagnosed with 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: Worcester dinosaur shows off proper use of personal protective equipment
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Boulevard Diner unveils Free Little Pantry
In Other News
-Latest weather: Severe thunderstorms possible this afternoon
+5:30: Patriots trade Gronk to Tampa Bay
+5:30: Nova Scotia mass shooting: Death toll rises to 20 victims
+12:45: Tampa mayor tweets clarification that Tom Brady was 'sighted' in park, not 'cited'
+12:10: Updated list of restaurants offering take out or delivery
-Worcester man throws rocks at building, officer
-City leaders seek funds for budgetary shortfalls brought on by pandemic
-Local high school student's research published in scientific journal
-KrafTea Kombucha now available for curbside pickup or delivery
-ICYMI: Blarney Stone pub in Worcester appeals revocation of license
-Trash and recycling in Worcester will be delayed a day because of Patriot's Day
-Updated hours, senior hours for Worcester-area grocery stores
-Patriots unveil new uniforms ahead of 2020 season
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): 5 new Worcester houses for sale
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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