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As we prepare to welcome 2022, here's a look at the stories you made the most popular on The 016 in 2021.
No. 15: Bar planned to replace legendary Dive Bar in Canal District | October 26th
The Dive Bar closed in November 2019 amid the anticipation of the building of Polar Park.
No. 14: Restaurant to open new Shrewsbury Street location on Thursday | November 9th
Pepe's Italian Restaurant moved from its longtime home on Franklin Street.
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No. 13: Park Ave eatery opens its doors | August 9th
The "multi-cuisine" Shack opened its doors at the corner of Park Ave. and Pleasant Street.
No. 12: Worcester man hits the lottery ... again | December 18th
John Gregarczyk of Worcester (above) scratched a lottery ticket worth $1 million. He also did it in 2008.
No. 11: Shrewsbury St. restaurant going into hibernation | January 14th
An unfortunate recurring theme in 2021 was how the pandemic hurt Worcester restaurants. Brew City (above) bounced back, though, and reopened.
No. 10: Shrewsbury mother and daughter found dead inside home (1:59) | March 20th
An unspeakable tragedy struck close to Worcester. Authorities later concluded the mother killed her daughter and then took her own life.
No. 9: Local restaurant closes all 3 locations because of COVID-19 | January 7th
Prior to Brew City temporarily closing, The Fix -- with locations in Worcester, Leominster and Marlborough -- closed temporarily.
Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
No. 8: State board recommends Worcester attorney be disbarred | October 12th
The Board of Bar Overseers wrote that Abby R. Williams, also known as Abigail R. Williams, “intentionally deprived several clients of their money from personal injury settlements” by “fraudulently inflating case expenses.”
No. 7: Lincoln Plaza getting new tenant | November 3rd
Just in time for New Year's resolutions, Planet Fitness plans to open at the site of the former W Fitness gym (above).
No. 6: Worcester restaurant wants to know who took its kegs | May 25th
In one of the oddest local stories of the year, 2 men made off with empty kegs from a gated area outside Antonio's Pizza on Chandler Street. The kegs were later returned.
No. 5 : New restaurant opens at Lincoln Plaza | June 8th
Lincoln Plaza's momentum continued when Torito Mexican Restaurant (above) opened in the space formerly occupied by Ruby Tuesdays.
No. 4: Large crowds welcome Lincoln Plaza's newest stores | April 25th
With great fanfare, HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx (above) replaced the former Staples and Barnes & Noble locations.
No. 3: Popular Worcester diner, closed during pandemic, is for sale | June 15th
The pandemic claimed the popular Blanchard's 101 Diner on Cambridge Street in Worcester (above).
No. 2: Here's what's replacing Crown Bakery on Gold Star Blvd. | January 5th
A Brazilian meat market took over the for iconic Scandinavian bakery.
No. 1: COVID claims brother, sister from well-known Worcester family | January 24th
The most-read story on The 016 in 2021 was the heartbreaking story of Francis Bafaro and his sister, Theresa Bafaro, who died a little over 2 weeks apart.
What else is happening in and around Worcester? Click here or keep scrolling ⤵️
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:43). High of 70 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+Noon: Hudson man accused of killing grandmother with skateboard
+Noon: 10 Worcester properties near WPI listed for $9.9 million
+Noon: Worcester residents defy city chicken ban as backyard flocks grow
+Noon: When does the Jewish holiday of Passover start, end?
+Noon: Splendid Torch to perform for Club 321 at Mechanics Hall
+Noon: Last Call: Anne O'Connor, historian and author
+Noon: Dunkin' giving away 1,000,001 free coffees today (:28)
-Woman shot on Millbury Street in Worcester, suspect in custody (2:10). Article
-Worcester man killed in Boston hit-and-run
-Police investigate deadly crash in Charlton (2:16). Article
-Car burned to crisp: Millbury High senior had good excuse for tardiness
-Worcester’s "A Better Life" housing program helps break generational poverty by promoting self-sufficiency
-139-unit Worcester housing project faces setback as developer requests extension
-After 10 years and $16 million raised, Creative Hub Worcester center to open in April
-Worcester councilor seeks 911 info as city faces major mental health lawsuit
-Radio Worcester (25:27): Why Sen. Robyn Kennedy says the legislature audit may face a constitutional challenge
>DINING OUT: Worcester restaurant closed today for private event
-ICYMI: Tractor-trailer fire on I-290 in Worcester snarls Tuesday morning commute (:35). Article
-Worcester man gets 30 years in prison for sexually exploiting 3 young girls
-Police warn of rash of "smash & grabs" at trail parking lots
-Walmart warehouse, in former Sam's Club off Route 146, closing
-Street sweeping begins in Worcester on April 6th
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Fundraiser to support staff of 122 Diner
-Message from 122 Diner after last week's crash
-Longtime customer praises Lamoureux Ford (3:29)
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Body cam video captures dramatic chase through Webster neighborhood (:46). Article
-Oxford town manager who recently resigned is suing town
-First Student, Teamsters avert looming school bus strike
-Spencer selectmen authorize Proposition 2½ override questions be placed on ballot
-Police searching for driver who allegedly caused serious 4-car crash in Clinton
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Wednesday
>SHOWTIME: Hanover Theatre announces 7-show 2026-27 Broadway Series
-Listen Up: Good Sleepy at home base with new album
-Rush debuts new drummer at Canada’s JUNO Awards
-50 years of Steve Miller Band’s "Fly Like An Eagle" celebrated with limited-edition picture disc
>OPINION: Sarah Connell Sanders: Retired teacher Velah Mary Hazard turns 100, saw history unfold
-Tom Marino: Worcester councilor seeks 911 mental health response info
-Janice Harvey: No Kings rally at Institute Park puts age in perspective
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (50:13): Does Worcester’s Human Rights Commission have any real power?
-Unity Radio's Future Focus (58:58): District 2 City Councilor Robert Bilotta, District A School Committee member Molly McCullough
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester woman who delayed her retirement into her 70s
>SPORTS: Patriots set for HBO’s "Hard Knocks" next year
-Mike Vrabel shares notable Patriots updates at NFL League Meeting
-Celtics’ best and worst first-round matchups
-Bruins beat Dallas, 6-3
-Red Sox lose to Houston, 9-2
-Bravehearts' June 3rd Baseball in Education game is sold out
-Holy Cross football 2026 season tickets on sale now
-Railers, Islanders partnership may be nearing end
-UConn wins would mean furniture jackpot at Jordan's (2:10)
-U.S. men's soccer team loses to Portugal, 2-0
>NATIONAL: Excitement builds for Artemis II mission around the moon (2:23)
-Nancy Guthrie's Arizona home left eerily untouched and in "immaculate" condition after abduction: report
-Tragic: Student killed himself after shooting teacher at top high school
>NEW ENGLAND: Housekeeper assaulted, tied up in "horrendous" home invasion (1:05)
-M.B.T.A. announces free Fridays, half‑price commuter rail passes for summer (1:06)
>COLLEGES: 4 finalists in running to take over as chancellor at UMass Medical School
-Anna Maria AMCAT Recap – Winter Edition
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): The 10 worst U.S. cities for seasonal allergies
-Best Amazon travel deals: Luggage, pillows, adapters, portable tech
>BUSINESS: You could be getting a bigger-than-normal refund. Here’s why (2:37)
-LPL Financial Research: Earnings likely to grow double digits again; will markets care?
-Worcester hospice care provider names new C.E.O.
>HEALTH: Diabetes warning signs and risks in women
-Hims customized weight loss plans, GLP-1 plans and meal replacements
>HOMES: Mass. home sales down more than 10% to start 2026
>FOOD: The scientific reason soda tastes better in a can
>TV/STREAMING: Yellowstone's Mo Brings Plenty floored Monica got killed off on "Marshals"
-Rip, Beth's "Yellowstone" spinoff "Dutton Ranch" gets first trailer — and a premiere date
>MOVIES: "The Housemaid" sequel with Sydney Sweeney, Kirsten Dunst gets release
>CELEBRITY: Tiger Woods breaks silence after D.U.I. arrest following car crash
-Sydney Sweeney wears sheer lingerie to the theater in sizzling Syrn video
>ANIMALS: Confused Husky puppy learns how to be a dog (3:21)
>HISTORY: Lincoln Square in Worcester, circa 1926
>GOOD NEWS: Newlywed fan wins $20,000 after hitting half-court shot
-Meanwhile, in Michigan, woman makes daring escape from cops by slipping through police car window
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