Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:00: 97 new cases in Worcester, 1,542 total. Shrewsbury 150 (+7 cases), Millbury 136 (+3), Leicester 61 (+2), Grafton 44 (+1), Holden 37 (+2). Press conference video (29:45)
+6:00: Worcester places 9 homeless people in permanent housing
+6:00: UMass Healthcare CEO says Worcester is the COVID-19 'hot spot' in Mass.
+6:00: Clark prof on 5 ways parents can motivate children at home during the pandemic – without nagging or tantrums
+6:00: Coronavirus deaths in Mass. are likely far higher than reported. Here’s why
+6:00: State totals: 1,316 long-term care deaths, 2,360 total, 3,079 new cases, 46,023 total, 195,076 tested. Story
+11:00: Spotted on Route 9 in Shrewsbury, a minivan that follows the rules
+11:00: Mass. sees 80,000 new unemployment claims
+11:00: Fed: Rent, mortgage payments in New England at risk due to unemployment surge
+11:00: 4.4 million Americans filed for unemployment last week
-Dramatic jump in number of new cases because of issue with state database. 206 new cases in Worcester, 1,445 total. Press conference video (33:28)
-Ch. 4: Worcester baby girl meets grandparents through window at St. V's (:38). Longer video (1:51)
-Should haircutting businesses be essential? Gov. Baker responds (4:02)
-Police warning New England residents to beware of stores selling fake test kits
-UMass Memorial establishes COVID-19 triage unit
-'Now more than ever, we need each other,' by Eric Dickson, President/CEO, UMass Memorial Health Care
-Mayor Petty asked to kickoff face mask fundraising challenge to benefit Worcester Together Fund
-Radio Worcester (11:46): Worcester Wednesday with Mayor Petty: School year done, COVID-19 and budget
-Radio Worcester Chamber Radio Blast with Tim Murray & Alex Guardiola (18:50): New financial relief for small businesses
-WCCA-TV's 'Daily Breaking' (13:28): Paula Bushey, Treasurer, Mustard Seed Catholic Worker
-Mass. releases new town-by-town data
-State totals: 1,205 long-term care deaths, 2,182 overall, 1,745 new cases, 42,944 total, 180,462 tested
-‘I’m begging people to listen’: Newton COVID-19 survivor shares story
-Many Mass. residents working from home are drinking on the clock, survey finds
-Boston mayor says lifting restrictions could be months away (1:25)
-At the office: You may be eligible for unemployment while day care is closed
-Banks made $10 billion in fees on coronavirus loans despite little or no risk
-Most Americans want more economic stimulus
-CDC warns of a possibly worse outbreak this winter
-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): Gardner couple makes, distributes masks for free (1:49)
In Other News
+6:00: Owner of The Fix, Mezcal and Bocado plans to reopen some Worcester restaurants May 1, but others may not open until 2021
+6:00: Updated list of restaurants offering take out or delivery
+6:00: Mass. Symphony co-founder Madelyn Levenson dies at 96 in Worcester
+11:00: The 016 in the news, on 'Get Real with Bob and Stacey' (18:06)
+11:00: Updated list of restaurants offering take out or delivery
-Worcester County home, condo prices soar in March
-Worcesteria: The home team steps up
-Bravehearts launch third Piece of Our 'Hearts song scramble
-Peppercorn's introduces Family Meal Package
-Local chefs share some home-cooking ideas
-Tribute to former 'Stitch,' the former Shrewsbury St. tailor who passed away a month after his wife
-Reminder: Trash and recycling in Worcester delayed a day because of Patriot's Day
-Updated hours, senior hours for Worcester-area grocery stores
-MLB punishes Red Sox: Replay operator banned for year, team loses pick, no further Cora discipline
-Shopping: Save up to $1,000 on an LG STUDIO Kitchen Bundle at Better Electric
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): Houseplants bring added health benefits to your home
-Awww: Trapped squirrel rescued from window of Worcester beauty store (10 photos)
-On the lighter side: Dog steals fake teeth, runs around with gigantic smile in viral video
-Latest obituaries | | -Yesterday's highlights | | -Latest weather
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"
Latest obituaries | | Saturday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
-Staff Associate, Urban Action Institute, Worcester State
-Controller, Worcester State
-Multiple positions, Holden DPW
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