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Mass. Senate Passes Bill to Support Emergency Shelters
BOSTON – The Massachusetts State Senate passed a supplemental budget bill last week that makes new investments in the state’s emergency shelter system. The bill, S.2708, also provides funding for workforce training programs for recently arrived migrants and seeks to ensure the shelter system is effective in the long term.
What You Need to Know about the Worcester Rental Registry
WORCESTER – The Rental Registry Program launched on March 9 by the City of Worcester requires the owner of any real estate rental unit, rented for any period, to register each unit. The program covers residential, commercial, and industrial properties, and vacant lots rented for any purpose. Other municipalities...
Two Men Indicted for Murder for 1993 Shooting in Fitchburg
WORCESTER – A Worcester County Grand Jury indicted two men on Friday in connection with a 1993 shooting in Fitchburg, including one who was previously charged in the case. The office of Worcester County District Attorney Joe Early Jr. announced Monday that Robert D’Lucca, 49, and Lawrence Calafell, 51, both of Gardner, were indicted for murder in the death of Deondray Atwood, 15 at the time of the shooting on Nov. 25, 1993.
Community Meeting to Discuss WPD Racial Equity Audit on Monday
WORCESTER – Black Families Together – Worcester holds a community meeting on Monday, March 25, at the Village Worcester, at 4 King St. The meeting will discuss the report, commissioned by the city, of the racial equity audit of the Worcester Polcie Department. The city released the report on Friday, March 15.
See the Neighborhood Meetings This Week in Worcester
WORCESTER – The Worcester Police Department is encouraging residents to attend their neighborhood watch meetings to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in their neighborhoods and to share any concerns or questions they may have. Representatives from the city also regularly attend these neighborhood meetings. There are over 50...
Rolling Rally March 30 for North High Basketball Champions
WORCESTER – Worcester Public Schools announced today a rolling rally will be held on March 30, in honor of the back-to-back Division 1 boy’s state champion North High School Polar Bears. The North High boys defeated the Franklin Panthers 59-53 on Sunday, March 17. The win also capped...
8 Nurses Sue St. Vincent Hospital for Firing Whistleblowers
WORCESTER – Eight registered nurses filed a lawsuit in Worcester Superior Court on Thursday against St. Vincent Hospital and the company that runs it, Tenet Healthcare, alleging they were wrongfully terminated. According to the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), the union that represents nurses at the hospital, the lawsuit alleges...
22-Year-Old Man Indicted on Federal Gun, Drug Charges
WORCESTER – A federal grand jury in Worcester has handed down an indictment of a former city resident on drug and weapons charges, including a charge for a machinegun. The grand jury indicted Juan Otero, 22, of Franklin, for Dealing in Firearms without A License, Receiving a Firearm While Under Indictment, Possession of a Machinegun, and Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Cocaine. He was previously charged on March 4 with Dealing in Firearms without a License and Receipt of a Firearm while under Indictment.
Police Seek to Identify Suspect in Northborogh PD Vandalism
NORTHBOROUGH – Police are seeking assistance from the public to identify an individual in connection with a brick thrown through a window of the police station on Wednesday. At around 6 AM on Wednesday, surveillance cameras captured video of an individual who appears to throw an object toward the station. See the video below.
PFAS Found in Mass. Bottled Water Company Products
BOSTON -The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a warning on Wednesday, March 20, against the consumption and purchase of bottled water from Simpson Spring Company, based in Easton. Consumers are strongly advised to avoid Simpson Spring water and dispose of any existing products by draining the water and...
Worcester Search Warrant Leads to Arrest for Drug Trafficking
WORCESTER – A search warrant served in Worcester on Tuesday led to the arrest of a man on drug trafficking charges. Worcester Police Vice Squad officers entered a home on Lochwan Ave. on Tuesday at around 11:15 AM. Upon entering, the officers located and detained the resident, Norman Lambert, 53, of Worcester.
See the Full Findings of a New Report on Worcester PD
WORCESTER – An independent report by a non-profit research and analysis organization, CNA, which was hired to review the department, found that the Worcester Police Department (WPD) has a, “dearth of diversity” and that significant differences exist between how members of the department and members of the public view the department. It also found a slim majority of department personell do not feel they are treated fairly by its leadership, a significant majority do not believe there is institutional racism in the department, and a majority believe the department’s disciplinary action process benefits individuals favored by city officials or command staff.
Independent Report: Create Citizen Review Board, End Civil Service for WPD
WORCESTER – An independent report by the non-profit research and analysis organization CNA, which was commissioned by the City of Worcester, recommends three actions to recognize and address any negative impact of bias, improve diversity, and include community voices in shaping public safety strategies. These recommendations include creating a Citizen Review Board, removal from the Massachusetts Civil Service system, and creating a Citizen Advisory Council.
Missing Westborough Woman Found Dead on Thursday
WESTBOROUGH – Police seek help from the public in the search for a missing woman. Olivia Colby, 27, of Westborough, was last seen on March 14 on Mountain View Drive in Westborough. She stands 5’7″ tall and weighs 120 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes. Colby may...
Westborough Woman Missing Since March 14
WESTBOROUGH – Police seek help from the public in the search for a missing woman. Olivia Colby, 27, of Westborough, was last seen on March 14 on Mountain View Drive in Westborough. She stands 5’7″ tall and weighs 120 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes. Colby may...
No Distracted Driving Tickets in Worcester for First Week of April
WORCESTER – State and local officials announced on Monday, March 18, a suspension of ticketing for distracted driving for the first week of April in the City of Worcester. Drivers stopped for distracted driving during that week will instead receive a warning and education materials on the danger of distracted driving as part of the “Eyes Up, Phones Down” campaign.
Cable TV Report Blasts Spectrum for Contract Failures, Price Increases
WORCESTER – The Worcester Cable Advisory Committee’s Ascertainment Report Recommendations says that Spectrum ” have objectively, from any and all perspectives, failed to live up to the terms of their contract.”. This Week in Worcester previously reported that the five members of the committee present on Tuesday,...
Locally Owned Coffee Shop Hosts Reopening after Renovations
WORCESTER – The Bean Counter Bakery Cafe, at 113 Highland St., will hold a grand reopening on March 20, at 1 PM. The Bean Counterr has recently renovated its Highland Street location, which it has served from since 2001. Along with a range of coffee options, the store sells wedding cakes, celebration cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and fine desserts.
See the Neighborhood Meetings This Week in Worcester
WORCESTER – The Worcester Police Department is encouraging residents to attend their neighborhood watch meetings to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in their neighborhoods and to share any concerns or questions they may have. Representatives from the city also regularly attend these neighborhood meetings. There are over 50...
TWIW Podcast – Ep. 2-2024: Spectrum Contract, Guns, Pardons
This Week in Worcester Editor Tom Marino and Manny Jae Media Executive Producer John Keough talk through:. The Cable Advisory Commission recommending denial of the Charter/Spectrum cable tv contract;. Worcester City Council has nothing but “no” for homelessness;. Governor Maura Healey submits cannabis pardons to the Govern’s Council;...
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