Highlights in The 016 Wednesday, December 22nd

• Posted by 016 Administrator December 22, 2021 - Filed in News - 4,381 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)

  +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)

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