Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+5:45: 54 new cases in Worcester, 3,522 total; Shrewsbury, 254 (1 new case); Millbury, 193 (+2); Leicester, 118 (+1); Grafton, 74 (+1); Holden, 69 (+1). Press conference video (30:58)
+5:45: When can my business reopen? Here's a list based on Massachusetts’ plan
+5:45: What determines when Massachusetts is ready for next reopening phase?
+4:15: How Massachusetts will reopen
+4:15: Worcester restaurant's humorous reaction to restaurants not opening in Phase 1
+4:15: Reopening plan allows hair salons to take appointments as early as May 25
+4:15: 'Stay at home' replaced by 'Safer at home'
+4:15: Child care, summer camp reopening plans still developing
+4:15: Plan For reopening schools expected in weeks to come
+4:15: Radio Worcester (9:59): Chamber President & CEO Tim Murray talks re-opening guidlines & small business loans (May 18th)
+4:15: CDC: No evidence coronavirus can be spread to people through water but public pools should follow guidelines
-75 new cases in Worcester, 3,468 total; Shrewsbury, 253; Millbury, 191 (as of Friday); Leicester, 117; Grafton, 73; Holden, 67. No press conference on Sunday
-Billy Riley back to work at St. John's Food for the Poor following recovery
-Silver lining: Worcester able to help homeless like never before
-Worcester Public Schools to launch Hearts Connected exercise program
-Email to local officials: Manufacturing, construction, worship could be first to reopen in Mass.
-Central Mass. businesses hope Gov. Baker will provide clarity Monday on way forward
-ICYMI: 5 deaths in outbreak at Worcester nursing home
-State totals: 3,534 long-term care deaths, 5,797 total, 702 in ICU, 1,077 new cases
-Here’s how to find a Mass. testing site near you
-‘COVID Toes,’ other rashes latest possible rare virus signs
-At least 100,000 cruise ship staffers still stuck at sea: report
-At the office: For millions, pandemic will make retiring harder
-Help To Retire offering remote consultations to those nearing retirement (1:00)
-On the lighter side: Priest squirts holy water at churchgoers with water gun at social-distant service in Mich.
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Worcester Islamic Center hands out 350 free meals during food drive
In Other News
+6:00: Black bear gets boot from Burncoat
+4:15: Rollover crash on Paxton Road in Spencer
+4:15: This week’s road work in Worcester
-2:45: Who's open for take out or delivery? (updated)
-Councilor Colorio wants list of possible penalties if Polar Park doesn't open on time
-Former Worcester mayor Sara Robertson deserving of recognition
-Historical Commission praises WBDC's efforts to find reuse for Hale Building
-Here are the top 10 food orders on GrubHub in Worcester during pandemic
-ICYMI: Iconic Miss Worcester Diner reveals new Harley Davidson sign
-ICYMI: Drone video above the new Kelley Square (1:15)
-McDonald's is going to look drastically different when it opens dining rooms
-Chest of drawers sold at national retailers recalled amid concerns it can tip over, injure children
-Dover doctor accused of murdering his wife arrested
-Weymouth man charged with murdering father
-Hotter-than-average summer predicted for most of U.S.
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): See inside 1890s Brownstone for sale in downtown Worcester
-Virginia shoplifters wore watermelons on their heads as disguise: police
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:44). High of 64 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+6:00: Counterfeit ticket scam leads to parents missing Worcester high school graduation
+6:00: Facing eviction, Worcester's Boston Market owner plans a rebranding instead
+6:00: Providence & Worcester train derails in Rhode Island neighborhood
+6:00: Worcester police arrest suspect in connection with shooting near University Park
+6:00: Renters find relief at Worcester legal clinic to clear their eviction records
+6:00: W.R.T.A. adds new accessible vans to paratransit fleet
+6:00: Shakira, Jason Aldeen concerts at Fenway Park abruptly canceled (:31)
+6:00: Former Holy Cross star Stacey Hochkins named USA Hockey Adult Player of the Year
+Noon: Bullet found in parking lot of Auburn Middle School; school had been dismissed
+Noon: Things to Do: James Oliver Band, M'bolo, Jay Sully and more ...
+Noon: Traditional food and music on tap at Middle Eastern Festival
+Noon: "American Idol" winner David Cook to headline annual Pet Rock Fest
+Noon: Summer@Music Worcester returns with 3 different concerts
+Noon: Worcester students eye "Origin" as part of ArtsWorcester Future Arts Workers
+Noon: Joann Fabrics officially closed in Shrewsbury
-Police investigating death of college student in Worcester
-Work begins on $120 million downtown Worcester housing development
-Worcester police investigate gunfire at University Park; person treated for wounds
-Vandal leaves offensive messages on sign outside Worcester middle school
-Heralded Worcester school faces possible closure as state Senate cuts its funding
-Worcester clothing brand Cosmic Unicornz to find permanent home
-Fitness in the Parks Summer Series kickoff Friday
-Administration seeking to close 2 Central Mass. Job Corps centers as part of elimination of program nationwide
-Aislinn Doyle: Worcester Public Schools in Brief for May
-Doherty Memorial High School graduation (1:37:57)
-Worcester Public Schools' Ask the Superintendent (22:10): Vision of a learner with Belmont Street School
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (48:22): Fallout from the State of the City protest
>DINING OUT (brought to you by Patsie Dugan's): Phantom Gourmet's Great 8 Lobster Rolls (5:17)
-ICYMI: Workers threaten to strike at UMass Memorial Health
-Firm to study solutions to I-290 divide in Worcester
-18-unit apartment complex planned on site of old 3-decker in Worcester
-Worcester wants to reclaim its manufacturing leadership, but tariffs may stand in the way
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): May & June Senior Center events
-Lamoureux Ford offers huge discounts! (2:53)
-Holden police welcome new officer
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Vandals destroy Leominster Little League fields (2:23). Article
-In Shrewsbury Center, a new gathering place for the Jewish community
-High school productions up for TAMY awards
-Clinton student-athletes receive honors from coaches
-West Boylston police log May 19th to 25th
-The Item's public safety logs
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Thursday
>SHOWTIME: Creative and creepy: Mike Mars talks about a life in film, music and horror
-On self-titled debit album, Sunday Junkie sets stage for musicians' next chapter
-The Big E announces Train as 2025 headliner. See schedule, ticket info
>OPINION: Nicole Bell: Cassie Ventura's story deserves to end in justice
-Jennifer Julien Gaskin: Open letter to Councilor Bergman
-WCCA-TV's Senior Speak No. 928 (27:59): Maureen Schwab
-Unity Radio's Talking Wellness (47:50)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to former Worcester Fire Chief Geoffrey Gardell
>SPORTS: Stefon Diggs' boat party causes stir as he misses Patriots O.T.A.s
-Patriots O.T.A. takeaways: Drake Maye improves, but offense still a step behind
-Bravehearts win season opener, 9-7
-What to know before Bravehearts Opening Day
-Bravehearts Opening Night giveaway. Next home game: 6:30 Friday. Get tickets here
-Red Sox lose to Brewers, 6-5
-Holy Cross men’s soccer names 2025 team captains
-Jeopardy! highlights WooSox player's unique and clever nickname
-WooSox beat RailRiders, 5-4
>NATIONAL: D.O.G.E. can access sensitive Treasury payment systems, judge rules
-3 city-killing asteroids could strike Earth within weeks
>TRAGIC: Man dies in crash while giving daughter driving lesson: Reports
>NEW ENGLAND: Missing U.N.H. student found dead
-Karen Read trial analysis (21:23): Courtroom showdown after prosecution's crash finale
>COLLEGES: Voice artist and Holy Cross class of 1968 alum James Conlan
-Assumption president says colleges must "take a hard look" at themselves
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Weekend getaway in Connecticut
>BUSINESS: Market Basket C.E.O. Arthur T. Demoulas placed on leave amid new allegations (2:23). Article
-LPL Financial Research: Can earnings catch up to this stock market rally?
-Take W.B.J.'s 2025 Midyear Economic Forecast survey
>SHOPPING: Walmart uses hidden barcodes to avoid "skip scanning"
>HEALTH: Weight loss in middle age offers long-term health benefits
-Skin cancer prevention: What you may not know about sunscreen, health (2:10)
>FOOD: How 1 ingredient transformed McDonald's Egg McMuffin
>TV/STREAMING: Until Friday, Peacock streaming deal for just $25 for a year
>MOVIES: Is "Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning" really the end? Tom Cruise may have revealed answer
>CELEBRITY: Brad Pitt speaks out on finalizing Angelina Jolie divorce after 8 years
>ANIMALS: Courageous puppy fights off pack of coyotes in 45-minute battle, heart-stopping video shows
>HISTORY: Worcester Heritage Society snapshots: 1870s Worcester
>GOOD NEWS: Winchester 8-year-old recognized for fundraising success
-Meanwhile, in Florida, trapper wrestles alligator on highway median
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Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
-Worcester Area Director (part-time), Matthew 25
+Multiple positions, Nancy Chang Restaurant
+Police officers, town of Leicester
-Part-time bartender, Patsie Dugan's
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