Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+7:45: 47 new cases in Worcester, 2,971 total. Shrewsbury, 229 (3 new cases); Millbury, 182 (+4); Leicester, 110 (+3); Grafton, 67 (+1); Holden, 64. Press conference video (26:00)
+7:45: Coronavirus isolation and recovery site opens in Worcester providing shelter, food for low income individuals
+7:45: Radio Worcester (16:54): Dr. Michael Hirsh talks Worcester's Coronavirus Status & Opening Up
+7:45: Gov. Baker says state will open in 4 phases (2:30)
+7:45: These standards must be in place for Mass. businesses to reopen
+7:45: Mass. virus deaths hit 5,000 amid calls to reopen (1:31)
+7:30: Worcesteria: Don't overinflate preacher's importance
+7:30: Boston’s homeless population has 33% infection rate, tests show
+7:30: New Hampshire begins next steps in reopening (1:13)
+7:30: What U.S. states can learn from reopening planning in Europe
-70 new cases in Worcester, 2,924 total. Shrewsbury, 226 (4 new cases); Millbury, 178 (as of Friday); Leicester, 107 (+1); Grafton, 66 (0); Holden, 64 (0). Press conference video (17:24)
-Polar Park and other essential construction shut down can resume this week
-UMass Memorial program gives dying patients a chance to see family members one last time
-ICYMI: COVID-19 claims Worcester father & son days apart
-ICYMI: Holy Cross professor says there's no 'obvious timeline' to Worcester's economy jump-start
-Worcester pastor says he is standing up to 'tyranny' by holding church services
-Ray Mariano: Coronavirus national leadership tournament
-Rutland police officer John Songy in critical condition, ‘has now entered organ failure’
-WATCH: Webster Rehabilitation patient 'graduates' after beating COVID-19
-State totals: 3,001 long-term care deaths, 3,979 total, 810 in ICU, 1,050 new cases
-Delta halts flights out of Manchester, Providence until at least September
-Everything you need to know about mysterious illness that could be linked to coronavirus in kids
-Meat shortages could last through summer
-Walmart and other superstores continue coronavirus-fueled hiring spree
-At the (home) office: Some tips to get more out of Zoom, Skype video calls, meetings
-Help To Retire offering remote consultations to those nearing retirement (1:00)
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): Creative Ideas for Stay-At-Home Fun during COVID-19
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Daughter follows mom onto nursing staff at UMass Memorial
In Other News
+7:30: JCPenney could be the next iconic retailer to file for bankruptcy -- perhaps as soon as this week
+7:30: USDA buying millions worth of excess food from farmers to distribute to communities in need
+7:30: Disney World now only accepting reservations beginning in July
+8:15: This Week’s roadwork in Worcester
-Bean Counter Coffee Bar and Bakery opens new location in Worcester allowing for employees to return
-Who's open for take out or delivery? (updated)
-Worcester Police investigate Sunday morning shooting on Main Street
-Gunfire detected, evidence collected near Chandler and King streets in Worcester
-Two arrested for pair of armed robberies in Worcester, third suspect at large
-Break-in reported at Worcester synagogue
-Car thefts spike, many other crimes decrease in Worcester during pandemic
-ICYMI: Worcester Diocese named in New Mexico child sex abuse suit
-Worcester's City Council sees thousands view public meetings streaming online
-Video: Mother's day sunset at the Old Stone Church in West Boylston (:43)
-ICYMI: Great drone video of Indian Lake & Sears Island in Worcester from New England Sky Pix (2:00)
-Fewer cars on road allows Webster Police to suspend traffic enforcement
-Worcester County Memorial Park places flowers at graves for Mother's Day
-Song to Get You Through the Week: Sapling delivers hilarious 'Everything Was Better'
-New England: N.H. woman caught speeding twice within 13 minutes
-Jerry Stiller, comedian and 'Seinfeld'; actor, dies at 92
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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