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Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:00: THURSDAY! Additional date for testing in Downtown Worcester
+6:00: Mayor Petty encourages vaccines, boosters as city sees highest case numbers yet (:25)
+6:00: Worcester sees "amazing" number of new cases
+6:00: Booster shots to be required for Worcester city employees by February 1st
+6:00: Worcester limits crowds at school sporting events to only parents, siblings
+6:00: Mass. officials report more than 15,000 new cases as positivity rate tops 13 percent
+6:00: Mass. schools receive 200,000 at-home tests for staff
+6:00: Doctor explains accuracy, effectiveness of PCR, rapid tests
+Noon: Free testing by appointment for families in Worcester Public Schools, but you must have symptoms
+Noon: U.S. hits record average of daily new cases
-Get a free rapid test in Worcester at a vaccination clinic
-Vaccincation/booster clinics this week at Worcester Senior Center
-Added protection in Worcester schools following holiday vacation
-January will be "a really, really hard month" as Omicron fuels spike in infections, expert says
-Worcester County cases increased by 5,141 this week
-ICYMI: "We're just going nonstop": Long line for testing in Worcester (1:35). Article
-Mass. reports more than 20,000 new breakthrough cases, 70 additional deaths among vaccinated residents
-Mass. isn’t seeing the spike in kids’ COVID hospitalizations other states are
-UMass requiring booster shots for all students, faculty and staff
-COVID vs. cold symptoms: When should you go to the hospital?
-South Africa study suggests Omicron infection could boost immunity
-New Year’s Eve plans in limbo with cases rising
-What should you do if you test positive or were exposed during the holidays?
In The News
-Latest weather: Clouds linger, mild temps through Friday
+6:00: 216-unit apartment building proposed on Hemans Street in Worcester
+6:00: Ghislaine Maxwell convicted of helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls
+Noon: After the death of Worcester Christmas Carol Mom, family seeks help
+Noon: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - December 29th
+Noon: New Year's Eve plans? Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands
+Noon: Remembering First Night Worcester on what would have been its 40th year
+Noon: Five Things to Do: Twiddle, New Year's at the EcoTarium and more ....
+Noon: Last Call with Nick Austin, commercial actor
-Downtown Worcester restaurant development listed for sale for $5.7 million
-Bakery set to open new location in Worcester by end of January
-Worcester meat shop asks state to reverse local liquor license denial
-Worcester Walgreens property sells for $8.8 million
-Residents want to halt Brattle Stop plans
-Multiple vehicles hit by gunfire on Stockton Street in Worcester
-Wanted man found with gun in Worcester
-Man eyed in Worcester killing is ordered to provide DNA
-Wachusett Wine & Spirits' podcast (1:09:14): Top 5 Whiskies of 2021. Earlier: Nos. 6-10, Nos. 11-20.
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for Wednesday
-Ed Humphries’ newest play, "Dad's Dance," set for Gateway Players in February
-Rosalie Tirella: Worcester, we must not become indifferent to our homeless neighbors
-Worcester Common Oval ice skating open for extended hours this week
-Worcester Fire Department hockey team traveling to Toledo to play charity game
-Great Brook Valley residents say improved park, after-school programs would benefit city youth
-Tribute to an avid knitter and crocheter who created thousands of beautiful projects over the years
-ICYMI: Proposed Worcester development dramatically reduced in size
-62-year-old man hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after pedestrian crash in Worcester
-Reminder: No delay in trash and recycling pickup this week in Worcester
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Sutton farm owner faces "constant damage" from increased traffic
-Former Sutton Veterans Services officer close to opening gun shop
-Local Boy Scout troops to hold Christmas tree pickup drives
-Northborough tech CEO buys $3 million apartments next to HQ
-Friends of Shrewsbury Senior Center plan ventriloquist show
-Driver escapes injury after truck crashes through guardrail in Hubbardston
-Worcester area couple married 74 years dies a day apart
-Sports: How will the Patriots respond after back-to-back losses?
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-All-Star 1B/DH Gavin Noriega returning to Bravehearts
-Brad Marchand criticizes NHL for pulling out of 2022 Olympics
-Several former Worcester hockey pros near the top of their leagues at the Christmas break
-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: Worcester company added to NASDAQ Biotech Index
-3-month free DGC Gratitude Program begins January 1st
-Local distributor says draft beer sales rebounded in 2021
-National: Harry Reid, former Senate majority leader, dies at 82
-New England: Maine man sentenced for manslaughter in wife’s strangulation
-Shopping/Deals: Shop Best Buy's New Year's savings event
-Homes: The weirdest homes for sale in 2021
-New on DVD: Wes Anderson reports in with "French Dispatch"
-Celebrity: NFL legend John Madden dies at 85
-Animals: See dogs, cats & more available for adoption in the Worcester area
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Salvation Army bell ringer marked 49th year of service
-Meanwhile, in Dallas, Santa ejected for fighting at Cowboys game
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (1:12). High of 37 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Driver hospitalized after car crashes into Dollar Tree store in Worcester (:20). Article
-Worcester apartment project on Shrewsbury Street faces parking concerns
-A year after scathing report on use of force, sex acts, Worcester police have new policies
-Worcester Public Medical Director Dr. Michael Hirsh retires
-TODAY! Guns to Gardens gun buyback
-Related: Radio Worcester (12:45): Dr. Michael Hirsch on Worcester’s “Guns to Gardens” program
-TODAY! The final Village Marketplace of 2025
-Worcester police officers honored at City Hall promotion ceremony
-Proposed development would bring 270 units, supermarket and a half-dozen other businesses to abandoned Shrewsbury factory site
-Dark Downeast Podcast (35:45): The murder of John E. Volungis Jr.
-Worcester Guardian week in review: Legacy businesses, tax rate debate, winter prep
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (49:36): Worcester snowstorm response, police oversight & affordability
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (27:03): Tax rates, infrastructure challenges and a major coaching milestone
>DINING OUT: Table Hoppin': Bonchon, from owners of Gong cha, sees crowds, lines
-ICYMI: Couple arrested after 5-hour standoff in Worcester (1:37). Article
-Related: Worcester officers treated for hypothermia after standoff
-Water restored as crews continue work on Shore Drive in Worcester
-Winter homeless shelter to open at former Quality Inn near Lincoln Plaza
-Worcester woman wins Lucky for Life, takes lump sum of $390,000
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Wachusett Echo: Phone-free school by 2026? The newest phone policy controversy
-Merry Christmas from Lamoureux Ford! (:47)
-Chief Tim Sherblom sworn in as head of Central Mass. Chiefs of Police Association
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Pedestrian struck and killed on Providence Road in Northbridge
-Police determine threat at Sterling school not legitimate
-West Boylston town administrator, hired after flag controversy, headed to Rutland
-TODAY! Santa visits Paxton Fire Department
-Apple store opens in Millbury
-Disabled veteran tax exemption available in Shrewsbury
-Kindled Planning hopes to "spark" more for customers
-The Item's calendar of events
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Saturday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: Assabet Valley Mastersingers, High Command and more ...
-"Sister's Christmas Catechism" coming to Worcester
-"Night Lights" named best holiday garden display in nation
-Anxious Taylor Swift was scared to continue Eras Tour after Vienna terror threat
>OPINION: Tom Marino: Extremist views of Worcester’s self-proclaimed moderates
-WCCA-TV's Soapbox No. 1399 (24:41): John Stanford, Executive Director, Incubate
-Unity Radio's The Susanity Life (59:28)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Professor Emerita at UMass Medical School
>SPORTS: What’s impressed Josh McDaniels the most about Drake Maye this season
-Jayson Tatum looks spry in latest workout videos amid injury recovery
-Holy Cross baseball, men's lacrosse announce schedules
-A banner day: St. Paul honors championship history of former high schools
>CARS: List of the most stolen cars in 2025 revealed
>NATIONAL: Terrifying gas explosion caught on doorbell cam (:49). Article
-The 10 richest states in America
-Tragic: 8 high school athletes injured during training run after car veers onto sidewalk in suspected D.U.I. crash
>NEW ENGLAND: Brian Walshe trial recap (21:57): After closing statements, the jury deliberates
-Driver shaken after alleged road rage shooting on I-495 (1:47)
>COLLEGES: WPI professor named Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
-Assumption named peacebuilder and conflict-resolution expert Alice Nderitu Civic Friendship Fellow
-Late-night breakfast at Clark, in photos
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Where to go in Charlevoix, a French-Canadian snow globe
>BUSINESS: Lawmakers mull action on "dynamic" A.I.-powered pricing in wake of "shocking" Instacart report
-Open AI, Microsoft face lawsuit over ChatGPT’s alleged role in Conn. murder-suicide
-Radio Worcester (7:03): Holiday spending budgeting and scam-proofing advice
-Former Worcester City Councilor candidate founds organization to address systemic oppressions
>HOMES: Foreclosures are soaring in the U.S.: study
>SHOPPING: Shoppers say ’tis the season for inflation, poll finds
>HEALTH: Tips to protect your sleep during the holidays (4:56)
-Under 7 hours of sleep shortens your life — 5 tricks to snooze faster
>TV/STREAMING: How to stream Taylor Swift docuseries, "The End of an Era," on Disney+
>MOVIES: New movies on streaming: "Die My Love," "Christy," and more
>CELEBRITY: Jason Bateman makes eyebrow-raising remark about sister Justine
-Judi Dench believes Harvey Weinstein has "done his time" for sexual assault, says she forgives him
>ANIMALS: Bear cub runs across frozen Hubbardston pond (:37)
>HISTORY: Then & Now: 187 Washington St., Worcester
>GOOD NEWS: Steve Hartman’s 10 most memorable stories over the years (29:41)
-Meanwhile, escaped horse visits New York's J.F.K. Airport
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