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: High of 71 today in Worcester (3:36)
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+4:00: As Robert Stoddard slept, thieves made off with 9 valuable paintings, including recovered Avercamp
+4:00: Related: Stolen Dutch master painting back in Worcester after nearly 47 years — to be shown at Worcester Art Museum
+4:00: Man arrested after pursuit through Worcester Common
+4:00: WPI lays off 24 employees, citing rising costs and federal uncertainty
+4:00: Radio Worcester (9:25): At airport, 44 acre solar farm planned and American Eagle flights return
+4:00: Holy Cross baseball falls to North Carolina in NCAA regional tourney opener
+4:00: 210 Sports' Friday 4: Handshakes, USA Hockey, Touch the trophy, and Wienie racing
+Noon: It's Friday! Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making plans
+Noon: Table Hoppin': Bella Pizzeria brings Brazilian pizza to Worcester
+Noon: New shows & movies to watch this weekend
+Noon: New movies on demand — "Fight or Flight," "The King of Kings" and more
-Counterfeit ticket scam leads to parents missing Worcester high school graduation
-Related: Worcester Technical High School graduation (1:23:13)
-Facing eviction, Worcester's Boston Market owner plans a rebranding instead
-Worcester police arrest suspect in connection with shooting near University Park
-D.O.J. retracts investigations of 8 police departments. What about Worcester?
-Renters find relief at Worcester legal clinic to clear their eviction records
-Providence & Worcester train derails in Rhode Island neighborhood
-W.R.T.A. adds new accessible vans to paratransit fleet
-Bullet found in parking lot of Auburn Middle School; school had been dismissed
-Traditional food and music on tap at Middle Eastern Festival
-100 FM The Pike (9:38): Middle Eastern Festival
-Mass. Attorney General issues guidance on rights during I.C.E. enforcement
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (26:00): Banned from City Hall — The boundaries of protest
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (48:22): Fallout from the State of the City protest
>DINING OUT (brought to you by Patsie Dugan's): Red Lobster menu changes — Under $20, hush puppies, Happy Hour deals
-ICYMI: Police investigating death of college student in Worcester
-Work begins on $120 million downtown Worcester housing development
-Vandal leaves offensive messages on sign outside Worcester middle school
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): June Among Friends senior newsletter
-Jazzed Up Duo 5:30 to 8:30 Saturday at Val's
-Lamoureux Ford offers huge discounts! (2:53)
-May & June Senior Center events
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Joann Fabrics officially closes in Shrewsbury
-Join the inaugural Shrewsbury Pride 5K Run/Walk
-Struggling Quabbin Reservoir towns make public appeal for more state funding
-James Ettamarna, Christine Watkins will join Sutton Select Board
-West Boylston ballot features races, override
-New senior center director introduced in West Boylston
-Clinton Select Board restricts recycling center to residents only amid surge of use by outsiders
-The Item's calendar of events
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: James Oliver Band, M'bolo, Jay Sully and more ...
-Shakira, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn concerts at Fenway Park canceled after sources say staging fell apart (3:44). Article
-"American Idol" winner David Cook to headline annual Pet Rock Fest
-Summer@Music Worcester returns with 3 different concerts
-Worcester students eye "Origin" as part of ArtsWorcester Future Arts Workers
-WCCA-TV's Mayor's Forum No. 53 (28:26): Dr. Tasia Cerezo, Meryl's Safe Haven
-Unity Radio's Cannabis 101 (31:48)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester man who expanded his family's trucking business
>SPORTS: TODAY! What to know before Bravehearts Home Opener
-Bravehearts Opening Night giveaway. Next home game: 6:30 Today. Get tickets here
-Bravehearts fall to Starfires, 10-6
-Vrabel's vibes, Drake Maye's relationship with Josh McDaniels (6:47)
-Jordon Hudson's raunchy sexual innuendo from viral Bill Belichick getaway revealed
-Holy Cross baseball to face No. 1 North Carolina in Chapel Hill Regional
-Related: Crusaders celebrate resilient journey to NCAA Tournament
-WooSox beat RailRiders, 3-2
>CARS: Ford recalls more than 1 million vehicles due to rearview camera issue
>NATIONAL: Blatten, Switzerland buried following glacier collapse (2:13). Photos
-4-year-old Mexican girl faces deportation amid medical crisis
>TRAGIC: Teen dies from playing social media "tackle game"
>NEW ENGLAND: Major traffic trouble on the Mass. Pike begins today (2:07). Article
-Around 40 people arrested during I.C.E. operations on Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard
-Karen Read trial (21:07): The prosecution rested its case — our experts grade it
>COLLEGES: Celebrate the Holy Cross Class of 2025
-WPI graduate commencement (:27)
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): What American tourists should know about "terrorism" threat in Italy
>BUSINESS: Central Mass. nonprofits snag portion of $6.7 million for small business training
-LPL Financial Research: Can earnings catch up to this stock market rally?
-Most employees would invite family or a friend on a work trip
>SHOPPING: Shoppers are exploiting retail return policies
>HEALTH: Mental health organizations in Mass. struggle with federal funding cuts (:57)
-Doctor on Hepatitis A after exposure warning issued at Mass. eatery (3:10)
>FOOD: Coke or Pepsi? Best-selling sodas in America in 2024 revealed
>TV/STREAMING: Worcester plays strong supporting role in episode of "The Walking Dead"
>MOVIES: Trailer for new Pete Davidson horror movie, "The Home" (1:58)
>CELEBRITY: Sarah Silverman reveals A-lister who saved her after "SNL" firing
>ANIMALS: Lonely puppy who wasn't moving slowly comes back to life (1:44)
>HISTORY: Then & Now: Burke Square, Main and Ripley streets, Worcester
>GOOD NEWS: Woman's gas stop turns into 6-figure lottery win
-Meanwhile, in Utah, 7-year-old boy drove his little sister to get McDonald's
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Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
+Multiple positions, Nancy Chang Restaurant
+Police officers, town of Leicester
-Worcester Area Director (part-time), Matthew 25
-Part-time bartender, Patsie Dugan's
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