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 (1:05). 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
See all Help Wanteds | | Job opening? Post it here for FREE today
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather
