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Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+4:45: Pooled testing program to expand in Massachusetts schools
+12:15: Worcester Public Schools reported 12 staff cases in 2-week period that includes winter break
+12:15: Regional vaccine clinic for first responders will happen despite some saying they won’t get it
+12:15: WHO: Amid short supplies, vaccine doses can be 6 weeks apart
-Worcester’s hospitals averaged 5 COVID deaths a day last week, officials expect number to rise as surge continues in city
-Worcester School Committee postpones returns to classrooms until at least March
-Updated case numbers for every city and town in Central Massachusetts
-B.T.’s Fried Chicken and BBQ in Worcester set to reopen Saturday
-ICYMI: Local restaurant closes all 3 locations because of COVID-19
-New UMass Memorial policy limits visitors
-Current gathering restrictions extended in Massachusetts
-Sutton residents ask officials to rescind Gov. Baker's state of emergency
-Massachusetts eases nurse-to-patient ratio rules, coordinates cross-hospital talks
-Around 140,000 in Mass. have received the first dose (:11)
-219 Mass. communities now considered high-risk
-Mass. officials announce 7,136 new cases, 71 deaths, 7-day positivity rate of 7.8 percent
-Commute & Travel (brought to you by Fuller RV): Winnebago CEO expects pent-up demand to propel boom in RV sales in 2021
-U.S. reports more than 4,000 deaths in one day for first time
-Only 43 percent of vaccines shipped to Mass. have been administered, health data shows
-COVID-19 patients still immune 8 months after infection: study
-Congress approves $25 billion in rental assistance. Here’s how to apply
-Study: Loss of smell in mild cases occurs 86% of the time
-Moderna vaccine may offer 2 years of protection, CEO says
-TurboTax working with IRS after millions of stimulus payments sent to wrong accounts
In The News
+5:45: Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade canceled for second year in a row
+5:45: UPDATE: Employee 'no longer part of our organization'. Earlier: UMass Memorial Health Care looking into reports of employees being involved in violence at Capitol
+5:15: WooSox stadium costs rise to $157 million, becomes most expensive minor league stadium
+4:45: Worcester to keep municipal buildings closed until Jan. 8
+4:45: Pearl-Elm parking garage in downtown Worcester closed tomorrow
+4:45: Sutton man indicted for possession of child pornography
+4:45: Clark professor on peaceful transfer of power
+4:45: Holy Cross weekend primers: Men's Basketball (2:47); Women's Basketball (5:22); Women's Hockey (2:33)
+12:15: Here are 5 Great Ways to Spend Your Weekend in Worcester
+12:15: UMass Memorial Health Care looking into reports of employees being involved in violence at Capitol
+12:15: Ray Mariano: Cowardly elected officials afraid to tell voters the truth
+12:15: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester – Jan. 8
+12:15: Tommy Lasorda, Dodgers icon, dead at 93
-Man sentenced for trying to defraud Worcester bank
-2 Worcester men arrested on firearms charges
-Worcester police, U.S. Marshals make arrest in Foxwoods shooting
-Homes: Rotmans holds inventory liquidation with deep discounts (1:27)
-Table Talk site at Kelley Square to become housing
-Candlepin bowling, flatbread pizza coming to Worcester's Canal District
-Worcesteria: District 5 is now the Georgia of Worcester politics
-ICYMI: Medical incident sparks large police response in Worcester
-Bars & Bands (brought to you by Wachusett Wine & Spirits): The Mayor’s Live Music & Live Streaming List
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Car ends up in the woods of Millbury
-Sutton school food service provides thousands of free meals to children
-Grafton restaurant's entertainment license renewed after debate
-ArtsWorcester series on Black art continues Jan. 10
-The aftermath of the assault on Capitol Hill. Complete Coverage in National News
-Radio Worcester (13:07): Congressman Jim McGovern's first-hand account of attack on Capitol
-Cars: New Year Means Huge Savings at Bertera Nissan (7:04)
-Health: Can you move 11 minutes a day? You’ll live longer if you do, study finds
-TV/Streaming: Every show and movie on Apple TV+ in 2021
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): High school student in Kentucky produces documentary sharing her cancer journey
-Meanwhile, in New Jersey police respond to chickens 'wreaking havoc' at McDonald's
Latest obituaries | | Yesterday's highlights | | Today's horoscope
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
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
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
See all Help Wanteds | | Job opening? Post it here for FREE today
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