Highlights in The 016 Wednesday, December 22nd

• Posted by 016 Administrator December 22, 2021 - Filed in News - 4,413 views

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

  Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  +6:00: TOMORROW! An extra day of testing in Worcester before Christmas

  +6:00: Radio Worcester's Worcester Wednesday with Mayor Petty (14:56): COVID, Christmas, coming together and school safety

  +6:00: Airline passengers more likely to get COVID because of Omicron

  +6:00: NHL announces players won’t be allowed to go to Olympics

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

  -Baker to activate 500 members of National Guard to aid hospitals, ambulance providers

  -U.S. Army creates single vaccine effective against all COVID & SARS variants, researchers say

  -Booster shots and Omicron: Is Moderna or Pfizer performing better? Here's the data so far

  -Free pediatric Pfizer vaccine clinic Wednesday in Auburn

  -Algonquin bans spectators at basketball games following case uptick

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

  -Study reveals top 5 symptoms of Omicron variant

  -Massachusetts reports 5,531 new cases, 58 additional deaths

  -Walmart limits ordering of at-home tests

  -Dr. Fauci: Health officials considering shortening isolation period

  -The surge has people suddenly changing holiday plans

  -Etiquette expert offers tips for tricky holiday change of plan conversations 

  In The News

  -Latest weather: Drive carefully, icy roads likely this morning

  -UPDATED: Body of missing man with dementia found in Lake Quinsigamond (:21). Article

  +6:00: Atlantis Raw Bar could open by New Year's Eve in Worcester

  +Noon: 11 people hospitalized, including 8 UMass Memorial employees, after crash involving parking-garage shuttle. Video (:51)

  +Noon: Photos of the scene. Video from the scene (:11)

  +Noon: Worcester parents concerned over alleged gun incident at Doherty High

  +Noon: Pair arraigned for manslaughter in Superior Court after fatal crash

  +Noon: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - December 22nd

  +Noon: Worcester’s Women to Watch in 2022

  -Parents of actress found dead in their Worcester home

  -Pedestrian struck, seriously injured on Mill Street in Worcester

  -Driver charged after crash involving ambulance in Worcester

  -First look at plans for 80 apartments at former Boys Club at Lincoln Square

  -Judge who ruled City of Worcester broke the law again considers forcing city to pay damages

  -St. Vincent Hospital nurses hope their union victory sets a workplace standard for essential workers

  -Nurses set January 3rd vote to end Saint Vincent strike 

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

  -Four Year Strong returns to Palladium for holiday show 

  -The Mayor’s Live Music List for Wednesday

  -NEW: Wachusett Wine & Spirits' podcast (1:09:14): Top 5 Whiskies of 2021. Earlier: Nos. 6-10, Nos. 11-20.

  -Worcester remembers those lost to homelessness

  -City Council expected to send School Committee election petition to legislature

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

  -Janice Harvey: These are tough times to be a teacher

  -Second Spectrum store opens in Worcester

  -Worcester’s population surpasses 200,000

  -Tribute to former community organizer for Catholic Charities 

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

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

  -See the rest of the day's Worcester news 

  -The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Worcester Academy freshman designs new Shrewsbury DPW logo

  -No more monthly retainer in new town counsel contract for Millbury

  -How General George Patton’s family entered the cannabis industry in Southbridge

  -5 Grafton students earn BVT commendation 

  -Sports: Bills eager for rematch with Pats with AFC East on the line

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

  -Holy Cross coach Bob Chesney named Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston

  -Multi-sport athletes have Wachusett boys' basketball team off to strong start

  -Despite a rocky start, Worcester hockey is on the rise 

  -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 editorial staff predicts these 10 news events will happen

  -WBJ readers forecast 2022: Better, not great

  -Colleges: WPI holding open house for new academic building 

  -National: Nearly $100 billion stolen in pandemic relief funds, Secret Service says

  -Police recover stolen 58-foot bridge in Ohio, suspect charged

  -New England: Massachusetts tax revenue growth rolling along, analysts say

  -Daycare teacher accused of kicking ball at babies

  -History: Worcester Historical Museum opens box from 1915 

  -Shopping/Deals: Best products from the Sephora year end sale to shop now 

  -Food: Chocolate shortage possible during holiday season

  -Homes: Home prices soar 13% in Worcester in November while sales regulate 

  -Health: UMass Medical School studies vitamin D's effect on type 1 diabetes 

  -TV/Streaming: New on HBO and HBO Max in January

  -New on DVD: Daniel Craig says goodbye to James Bond in "No Time to Die"

  -Celebrity: Madame Tussauds mocked for "world’s worst" celeb waxwork 

  -Animals: Worcester area pets newly up for adoption: Meet Rosie, nena & more 

  -Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Teen hopped through drive-thru to save customer choking on a chicken nugget 

  -Meanwhile, in Boston, Buddy the Elf back to challenge people to pillow fights  (2:11)

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