The most popular stories of 2025 on The 016

• Posted by 016 Administrator Jan 1 - Filed in News - 519 views

  
  The owner of Broth and Odd By Worcester Brewing spoke out after a customer recently left a scathing 1-star review, saying the criticism hurt both his staff and his family. (Facebook)

  Crime, restaurant news and Lady Luck were popular topics on the016.com in 2025. Here's a countdown of the most read stories of the past year:

  No. 20: F.C.C. hits pirate radio station in Worcester with $25K fine, August 25th

  WORCESTER — The Federal Communications Commission recently proposed a $25,000 fine against Noah Opoku Gyamfi for allegedly operating an unlicensed radio station on 103.9 FM in Worcester under the name “Unity Radio.”

  No. 19: Popular local restaurant changes hands, April 21st

  WEST BOYLSTON — Table Twelve, a popular neighborhood restaurant on Route 12, has officially changed ownership and is now part of the newly formed Byrnes Restaurant Group.

  No. 18: $10,000 bribe offered during drug bust, Worcester police say, March 23rd

  WORCESTER — A Worcester man faces multiple charges after allegedly offering police $10,000 to walk away during a drug raid that uncovered a large amount of fentanyl, authorities said.

  No. 17: K9 tracks suspect after large haul from Auburn Mall, May 18th

  AUBURN — A suspected shoplifter who fled from the Auburn Mall was captured thanks to a citizen tip, coordinated police response, and the tracking skills of a police dog, authorities said.

  No. 16: Worcester doctor, towering figure in public health, dies at 96, December 27th

  WORCESTER — Dr. Leonard J. Morse, a physician whose work helped shape modern public health practices in Worcester and beyond, died December 12th. He was 96.

  No. 15: 2 injured in stabbing at Auburn Comfort Inn; woman charged - May 1st

  AUBURN — A woman was arrested following a stabbing at the Comfort Inn on Southbridge Street in Auburn and a subsequent police pursuit that ended in Bellingham, authorities said.

  No. 14: Grafton restaurant owner announces retirement after 46 years, September 22nd

  GRAFTON — After more than 4 decades of running one of Grafton’s landmark restaurants, Edward Whiterell has announced he is selling the Post Office Pub and retiring.

  No. 13: Charter to close Worcester call center, 174 jobs to be lost, March 27th

  Charter Communications is closing its customer service call center in Worcester, resulting in the loss of 174 jobs in the city, according to a document filed with the state.

  No. 12: Worcester sees second homicide in 4 days, June 22nd

  WORCESTER — A man was fatally shot on Southgate Street, marking Worcester’s second homicide in four days after the city went nearly 6 months without, according to police.

  No. 11: Shrewsbury dentist arrested in underage trafficking sting, January 16th

  SUTTON — A Shrewsbury dentist was arrested following a joint law enforcement operation targeting individuals seeking commercial sexual relations with minors, police announced.

  No. 10: Popular Worcester restaurant Joey's warns of DoorDash scam, June 13th

  WORCESTER — Joey’s Bar & Grill is warning customers after discovering that a fraudster created a fake DoorDash merchant listing under the restaurant’s name, leading drivers to repeatedly arrive for orders that don’t exist.

  No. 9: Worcester restaurant warns of fake gift cards, March 29th

  WORCESTER — A popular Worcester restaurant is warning customers about unauthorized gift cards being sold online by a third-party company.

  No. 8: Police investigating stabbing in front of Millbury Target, May 17th

  MILLBURY — A person was stabbed outside the Target store at the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, according to the Millbury Police Department.

  No. 7: Worcester firm charged with abuse, fraud, money laundering, April 1st

  WORCESTER — A Worcester-based medical transportation company and its owner have been indicted for allegedly defrauding MassHealth of more than $3 million, laundering the proceeds, and abusing and neglecting patients, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office said.

  No. 6: Worcester player hits $1 million in Powerball drawing, September 1st

  A lucky Worcester player is $1 million richer after the Powerball drawing, the Massachusetts State Lottery announced.

  No. 5: "We're back!" Brody’s Diner reopens after damage from crash, May 10th

  Brody's Diner on Route 20 reopened after being closed for days because of damage caused by a vehicle crashing into the front wall.

  No. 4: Legendary Worcester restaurant O'Connor's halts public dining, April 26th

  WORCESTER — Legendary Worcester restaurant O'Connor's Restaurant and Bar announced that it would cease public dining to temporarily accommodate only large parties due to ongoing staffing shortages. It reopened shortly after.

  No. 3: This long-running Worcester bar can be yours for $200,000, February 26th

  WORCESTER — A mainstay of Worcester’s Millbury Street nightlife is hitting the market.

  No. 2: Worcester restaurateur defends staff after brutal review, July 6th

  WORCESTER – The owner of Broth and Odd By Worcester Brewing is speaking out after a customer recently left a scathing 1-star review, saying the criticism hurt both his staff and his family.

  No. 1: 4 arrested in Auburn drug bust; fentanyl seized from sewer, January 18th

  AUBURN — Auburn police arrested 4 people recently after a traffic stop led to the discovery of fentanyl, including some recovered from a sewer grate.