Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:30: 89 new cases in Worcester, total. Shrewsbury, 189 (10 new cases), Leicester, 97 (0), Holden, 57 (+1), Grafton, 56 (0). Press conference video (25:56)
+6:30: Pastor will be issued $300 fine for violating state order
+6:30: Worcester Walmart to reopen in a few days, city officials say
+6:30: Worcester Police will give away face masks to violators for the first week of the Governor's order, starting Wednesday
+6:30: State totals: 2,368 long-term care deaths, 4,004 total, 904 in ICU; 1,824 new cases
+6:30: Death toll at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home increases to 84
+6:30: Pressure mounts on governors to ease restrictions
+6:30: Southwest Airlines CEO claims it's safe to fly
-109 new cases in Worcester, 2,297 total. Shrewsbury, 179; Millbury, 150; Leicester, 97; Holden, 56; Grafton, 56. No press conference Saturday
-Worcester Medical Director Michael Hirsh: City likely won't be ready to reopen on May 18
-Report: Adams Square Baptist Church to hold public service again Sunday, pastor says precautions exceed those of supermarkets
-This is how people get sick: Fencing used to keep children off playground equipment at Elm Park torn down
-81 Worcester Walmart workers test positive in 'hotspot' (1:34)
-Outbreak hit just as these Worcester businesses had opened, or were about to
-Councilor Bergman proposing facemasks, gloves for panhandlers
-Worcester high schools to hold virtual graduations
-Worcester Public Market waives vendors’ rent with eye on June 2 reopening
-Impact of PPP loans at Wormtown Brewery: ‘Everybody is back and working’
-ICYMI: Here are the requirements for Worcester's $5,000 COVID-19 assistance grants
-Ray Mariano: Along with our thanks put something in their paychecks
-From the courts to the frontlines for Worcester State basketball player
-Worcester Chorus turns to Cole Porter for fundraiser
-People are social distancing less, cell phone data show: NPR
-First weekend of loosened restrictions under way in many states
-‘False Dawn’ recovery haunts survivors who fall sick again
-'Significant COVID-19 activity' in U.S. expected for up to 2 years
-Help To Retire offering remote consultations to those nearing retirement (1:00)
-On the lighter side: Celeb Padma Lakshmi, a Clark grad, chugs tequila to cope with kids being home until September
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Bancroft School children spread cheer
In Other News
+6:30: REMINDER: 2 Streets at Kelley Square will reverse this week
-Latest weather: Pick of the weekend
-Aid, changes help Mustard Seed feed the hungry
-Worcester Public Schools to launch Hearts Connected exercise program
-Who's open for take out or delivery? (updated)
-Phantom Gourmet visits Firefly's Bar-B-Que in Marlborough (1:01)
-5 great ways to spend your weekend at home in Worcester
-26-year-old Clinton woman dies in motorcycle crash
-3-year-old Sturbridge boy undergoing brain tumor treatment gets playset from Make-A-Wish
-Perhaps you know the first perfect game in baseball history was thrown in Worcester. Here's what J. Lee Richmond did for the rest of his life
-First COVID-19, now this?! Murder hornets found in U.S.
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): Modern comfort, historic charm on Massachusetts Ave. in Worcester
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
+Noon: Neighbors shocked after woman killed in Worcester shooting; man also injured (1:46). Article
-Earlier: Woman dead, man injured in Worcester shooting (:59). Article
+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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