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 (1:05). 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"
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