Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+5:45: 54 new cases in Worcester, 3,522 total; Shrewsbury, 254 (1 new case); Millbury, 193 (+2); Leicester, 118 (+1); Grafton, 74 (+1); Holden, 69 (+1). Press conference video (30:58)
+5:45: When can my business reopen? Here's a list based on Massachusetts’ plan
+5:45: What determines when Massachusetts is ready for next reopening phase?
+4:15: How Massachusetts will reopen
+4:15: Worcester restaurant's humorous reaction to restaurants not opening in Phase 1
+4:15: Reopening plan allows hair salons to take appointments as early as May 25
+4:15: 'Stay at home' replaced by 'Safer at home'
+4:15: Child care, summer camp reopening plans still developing
+4:15: Plan For reopening schools expected in weeks to come
+4:15: Radio Worcester (9:59): Chamber President & CEO Tim Murray talks re-opening guidlines & small business loans (May 18th)
+4:15: CDC: No evidence coronavirus can be spread to people through water but public pools should follow guidelines
-75 new cases in Worcester, 3,468 total; Shrewsbury, 253; Millbury, 191 (as of Friday); Leicester, 117; Grafton, 73; Holden, 67. No press conference on Sunday
-Billy Riley back to work at St. John's Food for the Poor following recovery
-Silver lining: Worcester able to help homeless like never before
-Worcester Public Schools to launch Hearts Connected exercise program
-Email to local officials: Manufacturing, construction, worship could be first to reopen in Mass.
-Central Mass. businesses hope Gov. Baker will provide clarity Monday on way forward
-ICYMI: 5 deaths in outbreak at Worcester nursing home
-State totals: 3,534 long-term care deaths, 5,797 total, 702 in ICU, 1,077 new cases
-Here’s how to find a Mass. testing site near you
-‘COVID Toes,’ other rashes latest possible rare virus signs
-At least 100,000 cruise ship staffers still stuck at sea: report
-At the office: For millions, pandemic will make retiring harder
-Help To Retire offering remote consultations to those nearing retirement (1:00)
-On the lighter side: Priest squirts holy water at churchgoers with water gun at social-distant service in Mich.
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Worcester Islamic Center hands out 350 free meals during food drive
In Other News
+6:00: Black bear gets boot from Burncoat
+4:15: Rollover crash on Paxton Road in Spencer
+4:15: This week’s road work in Worcester
-2:45: Who's open for take out or delivery? (updated)
-Councilor Colorio wants list of possible penalties if Polar Park doesn't open on time
-Former Worcester mayor Sara Robertson deserving of recognition
-Historical Commission praises WBDC's efforts to find reuse for Hale Building
-Here are the top 10 food orders on GrubHub in Worcester during pandemic
-ICYMI: Iconic Miss Worcester Diner reveals new Harley Davidson sign
-ICYMI: Drone video above the new Kelley Square (1:15)
-McDonald's is going to look drastically different when it opens dining rooms
-Chest of drawers sold at national retailers recalled amid concerns it can tip over, injure children
-Dover doctor accused of murdering his wife arrested
-Weymouth man charged with murdering father
-Hotter-than-average summer predicted for most of U.S.
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): See inside 1890s Brownstone for sale in downtown Worcester
-Virginia shoplifters wore watermelons on their heads as disguise: police
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (1:11). High of 33 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+7:00: Worcester roofer pleads to tax evasion, $1.6 million in income hidden
+7:00: Shrewsbury dentist charged with attempted rape of a child
+7:00: Assumption students charged in social media-inspired plot (2:43). Article
+7:00: Holy Cross buys Rotmans Furniture complex
+7:00: Gov. Healey says she's confident in Worcester to address police issues
+7:00: W.C.P.A. names Daniel Letona for Dan Lewis fellowship
+7:00: Holy Cross announces 2025 football schedule, season ticket deposits on sale now
+7:00: Radio Worcester's The Rundown (22:09): Explosive city council accusations and debate over in-person attendance
+Noon: From government to arts, presenting Worcester's Women to Watch in 2025
+Noon: Things to Do: Documentary screening, death metal and wedding expo ...
-Assumption students charged in TikTok-inspired "catch a predator" plot expected in court
-Related: Student charged in "predator" hunting case says she's innocent
-Worcester demands Polar Park developer pay taxes & fees over terminated project
-George Russell will not seek reelection as District 3 city councilor
-Worcester City Councilor Thu Nguyen takes hiatus, accuses colleagues of transphobia (2:08). Article
-Related: Mayor Joe Petty responds; Councilor Kate Toomey responds Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson responds
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (47:08): Public comment rules and early Worcester city council race insights
-As Worcester’s new chief equity officer, Kevin Lovaincy has his work cut out for him to advance the city’s D.E.I. efforts
-Worcester police welcome 3 new officers
-Aislinn Doyle: Worcester School Committee meeting agenda preview
-The average school building in Worcester is 77 years old, despite recent projects
-Mass. Women of Color celebrates 10 years; annual meeting on tap
-Worcester County Wonders: What lies beneath the surface of Worcester's waters
-Ice crashes through windshield, injuring driver in Brookfield (2:33)
>DINING OUT: Theatre Café holding Winter Blues Supper Club dinner on Friday
-ICYMI: Worcester police ask for help finding missing woman
-Confession reveals details in disposal of body, evidence in local homicide
-Carrying a badge - and a Ph.D.: Worcester police officer on duty with cybersecurity degree
-Worcester police bust 2 men in stolen vehicle, drug bust
-Manhole explosion launches cover high into air over Worcester, narrowly missing car (2:44). Article
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): TODAY! Public meeting on Zoning Bylaw Review
-Long-term employees make it fun to own a car or truck from Lamoureux Ford (3:50)
-Wachusett Echo: Players raise money for their teams
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Leominster Police seek public's help to identify bank robbery suspect
-Resident hospitalized, cat killed in Athol house fire
-School bus, car collide in Grafton, leaving both drivers hurt (2:11)
-Charlton police mourn sudden passing of officer
-Woman wins $1 million on scratch ticket bought in Auburn
-Auburn Police Department year in review
-Water main repair Thursday in Paxton
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Thursday
>SHOWTIME: Comedian Bob Marley, a Worcester favorite, returns to city March 2nd
-Last Call: Darnella Williams, owner, Candles by Darnella
-Unity Radio's Black in Business (57:33): Kirosha from Kingdom Voice Music
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to a lifelong resident of Harrington Way in Worcester
>SPORTS: Bill Belichick has glowing praise for Mike Vrabel as Patriots coach
-Belichick's lack of U.N.C. hires is "making people nervous"
-Celtics lose to Raptors, 110-97
-Holy Cross connection at James Madison as quarterback Matt Sluka reunites with Bob Chesney
-Holy Cross women's basketball beats Bucknell, 63-37. Highlights (1:08)
-Holy Cross men's basketball falls
>NATIONAL: President warns of dangers of "oligarchy taking shape in America"
-A shockingly small number of violent sex crimes end in conviction
-Tragic: Elderly woman mauled to death and partially eaten by neighbor's pigs on Christmas: police
>NEW ENGLAND: Mass. joins federal lawsuit against 5 large landlords
-Conn. youth basketball coach accused of ramming car into opposing team parent after argument
>COLLEGES: UMass Medical School awarded 5-year grant to promote public health projects
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 5 of the best U.S. National Parks to visit in winter
>BUSINESS: U.S. inflation ticks up again — but Dow surges as key Fed gauge dips
-LPL Financial Research: New year, same bull market?
-101: Building an inclusive work community for disabled employees
>HEALTH: Why women are exercising less than men (3:25)
-Are dry eyes a symptom of menopause?
>FOOD: Red Dye No. 3 banned by F.D.A.; expert discusses risks (2:54)
>TV/STREAMING: Is Ms. Rachel on Netflix? What we know about the YouTube sensation’s new series
>MOVIES: Trailer for new mob movie starring Robert De Niro, "The Alto Knights" (2:27)
>CELEBRITY: Jessica Simpson splits from Eric Johnson after 10 years of marriage
>HISTORY: Remembering Great Molasses Flood, a bizarre Boston disaster (1:56)
>ANIMALS: Great Dane meets a grandma in woods and they become B.F.F.s (2:38)
>GOOD NEWS: Volunteers, police help 99-year-old veteran get to church
-Meanwhile, Bozo errantly calls 911 to his motel where he has 6-foot crucifix he stole from church tucked in his bed: authorities
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