Highlights in The 016 Tuesday, December 21st

• Posted by 016 Administrator December 21, 2021 - Filed in News - 3,202 views

  Start your day with the latest and most complete Worcester news! Click here to join The016.com today! Registration is free and easy

  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 

  Latest obituaries |  | Monday highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports