Highlights in The 016 Tuesday, December 21st

• Posted by 016 Administrator December 21, 2021 - Filed in News - 3,016 views

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  Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:

  

  Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  +Noon: Gov. Baker restricts all non-urgent surgeries at Massachusetts hospitals

  +Noon: Baker to activate 500 members of National Guard to aid hospitals, ambulance providers

  -President to announce plan to mail 500 million free rapid tests to Americans next month

  -Worcester testing: Hours for Christmas, New Year's

  -Downtown Worcester site sees uptick in testing ahead of holiday

  -Radio Worcester (7:39): Worcester Medical Director Dr. Michael Hirsh talks Omicron, vaccinations and the holidays

  -Study reveals top 5 symptoms of Omicron variant

  -WHO director recommends canceling holiday events as Omicron spreads

  -Virus fears widen as Omicron becomes dominant in U.S.

  -The U.S. could be in store for a "grim beginning" to the new year

  -Mass. DPH report shows COVID 5 times more likely for unvaccinated

  -97% of Massachusetts breakthrough cases were not hospitalized, DPH says

  -Patriots place 4 players on reserve/COVID list ahead of showdown with Bills

  -ICYMI: WPI and Clark requiring boosters for all students and faculty

  -Voice of UMass podcast (26:54): What does it take to persuade people to get vaccinated?

  -Mass. officials report more than 13,000 new cases over 3-day period as hospitalizations top 1,500

  -Moderna says current booster dose is effective against Omicron variant

  -How effective are vaccines against the Omicron variant?

  In The News

  -Latest weather: Light freezing rain possible overnight tonight into tomorrow

  +6:00: Parents of actress found dead in their Worcester home

  +6:00: Judge who ruled City of Worcester broke the law again considers forcing city to pay damages

  +6:00: St. Vincent Hospital nurses hope their union victory sets a workplace standard for essential workers

  +6:00: City Council expected to send School Committee election petition to legislature

  +6:00: Wachusett Wine & Spirits' podcast (1:09:14): Top 5 Whiskies of 2021

  +6:00: Five Things to Do: PnB Rock, Roomful of Blues and ways to celebrate New Year's Eve

  +6:00: Four Year Strong returns to Palladium for holiday show

  +Noon: Nurses set January 3rd vote to end Saint Vincent strike

  +Noon: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - December 21st

  +Noon: Radio Worcester (17:24): Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus talks school safety, nurses strike, COVID and testing

  +Noon: Janice Harvey: These are tough times to be a teacher

  +Noon: Winter solstice: Why it happens and how we celebrate the first day of winter

  -Worcester mill could be renovated into 18-unit apartment complex

  -No arrests in December 8th shooting deaths of Marcus Thidodeau and James Johnson

  -Man accused of bringing handgun into Worcester high school ordered held without bail

  -Radio Worcester (4:51): Worcester School Committee member Laura Clancey on Doherty High gun incident

  -Worcester workers have bargaining power, expect higher wages during pandemic

  -Food: No matter how you slice it, Worcester gets good ranking among pizza places

  -ICYMI: Amazon's 4-star store and family of fallen Worcester officer team up to prevent future tragedies

  -Coffee and dessert bar opens on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester 

  -The Mayor’s Live Music List for Tuesday

  -Worcester Art Museum exhibit eyes firefighters of feudal Japan

  -NEW: Wachusett Wine & Spirits' Top 20 Whiskies of 2021, Nos. 6-10. Earlier: Nos. 11-20

  -City Council Preview for December 21st

  -Tribute to a "funny, gregarious, and compassionate" pharmacist and Mason 

  -Reminder: Worcester trash and recycling to be on normal schedule the next 2 weeks

  -See the rest of the day's Worcester news 

  -The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): The ribbon is finally cut on the Grafton Public Library

  -Why are Grafton's PAYT bag fees increasing? An explainer

  -Brierly Pond Condominium residents donate to Worcester refugee program

  -Shrewsbury schools talk next steps with limited space at Assabet

  -Sunday in Sutton included a visit from Santa and Scrooge

  -Hudson earns title of "Best Main Street in America" 

  -Sports: Men's basketball player Caleb Kenney named Hilton Garden Inn Crusader of the Week

  -Boston Globe: How Brian Kelly’s path to the top of college football began at Assumption

  -Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales

  -Worcester Hockey Alumni highlights, week 10

  -WooSox manager prepares for season

  -76ers beat Celtics, 108-103

  -Cars: Happy Holidays from Bertera Nissan (2:04)

  -Take a look at new 2022 Four Winds RV now in at Fuller RV in Boylston

  -Business: WBJ's 22 people you should meet in 2022

  -Pace shrinks, but Mass. economy still growing

  -National: Missing Utah college student found alive in man's basement 

  -New England: Woman's body found inside burning camper in Manchester, N.H.

  -Cohasset woman to be charged for hosting underage drinking party

  -Tragic: Australia bouncy castle tragedy claims 6th child after 11-year-old dies in hospital

  -Shopping/Deals: With most shipping deadlines passed, here are your options for holiday delivery

  -Homes: 3 new houses in Worcester on the market 

  -Health: Feeling lonely? Go for a walk in the woods, science says

  -TV/Streaming: New on Disney Plus in January

  -Celebrity: Leonardo DiCaprio jumped into frozen lake to save his dogs 

  -Animals: Dog chases car asking to be rescued (3:06) 

  -Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Mom does good deeds to honor son who died at 1 month (2:34) 

  -Meanwhile, in British Columbia, family's Rudolph decoration repeatedly attacked by real deer 

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