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: 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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