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Worcester Appointed Third Youth Poet Laureate
Worcester, MA — City Manager Eric Batista, Mayor Joe Petty, and the Office of Cultural Development announced Worcester Technical High School student Serenity Johnson as the third Youth Poet Laureate of Worcester on Monday. Johnson received a ceremonial medal crafted by local metal artist Pam Farren and delivered her...
New State Data on Police Misconduct Released
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission release the third update to the Law Enforcement Officer Disciplinary Records Database on Friday, Dec. 29. The updated database includes 4,570 sustained complaints against 2,085 police personnel within 245 law enforcement agencies across Massachusetts. The records submitted by...
UMass Chan Participates in Phase 3 Psilocybin Trials
WORCESTER – The Center for Psychopharmacologic Research and Treatment at UMass Chan Medical School has been selected to participate in a Phase III multicenter trial. The trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of psilocybin, a compound found in “magic mushrooms,” in treating treatment-resistant depression. Anthony Rothschild, MD,...
New City Council and School Committee Inauguration on Jan. 2
WORCESTER – The City of Worcester and Worcester School Committee holds inauguration ceremonies on Tuesday, Jan. 2. in the auditorium at South High School. The event begins at 5 PM. Mayor Joe Petty will be sworn in for a seventh term as mayor along with two new city councilors....
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...
UMass Memorial Reinstates Mask Mandate for Caregivers
WORCESTER – UMass Memorial Medical Center will reinstate its mask mandate for caregivers in all patient and common areas, and in all patient encounters, starting on Jan. 2. The policy will be in effect for at least a month. Patients will not be required to wear masks, though they...
Ecotarium Exhibit Highlights Tuskegee Airmen of World War II
WORCESTER – Two exhibits currently on display at the Ecotarium, at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester, features the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service exhibition “Black Wings: American Dreams in Flight” and “”Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen,” through Jan. 21. The exhibit, “Aim...
Worcester Man Dies After Trailer Collapse
WESTBOROUGH – A local man died in an incident on Computer Drive in Westborough on Wednesday while performing mechanical work on a tractor trailer. The Worcester County District Attorney’s office identified the man on Thursday as Pablo Franciso Otano Aponte, 28, of Worcester. The office says the incident appears to be an accident. Aponte was pronounced dead at the scene on Wednesday.
Scammers Using Fake Shipping Alerts to Steal Personal Information
WORCESTER – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a consumer alert to warn of scammers using fake shipping notifications to steal personal information. This scam is not unique to the holiday season and is run all year long. Consumers who order from retailers often receive emails and text...
Report: MBTA Failed to Demonstrate Fair Vendor Selection
BOSTON – A new report by Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro issued two findings of in a review of the selection of dispatch a services vendor for the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Transit Police Department. Shapiro says that significant concerns of both “whether or not the selection process was fair” and “potential bias in favor of IXP in the evaluation process” was discovered in the evaluation.
Worcester Schools Superintendent Receives National Recognition
WORCESTER – Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monárrez, Ph.D., has been named one of 25 “Superintendents to Watch” in he United States by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) provides school communication training and services to school leaders...
Christmas Eve Party Leads to Arrest of Man on Gun Charges
WORCESTER – A noise complaint in the early hours of Christmas Day led to the arrest of a man on gun charges. Police responded to a complaint about a loud party on County Street and a group creating a disturbance outside at around 12:15 AM. The officers advised the group to lower their noise levels and left the scene.
Here is How to Dispose of Your Tree in Worcester After Christmas
PORCESTER – The City of Worcester is enabling disposal of non-artificial Christmas Trees as certain drop-off sites in the city after the holiday. From Tuesday, Dec. 26 through Sunday, Jan. 7, city residents can drop off trees at the following locations during specified hours. 1065 Millbury Street (next to...
See the Most Borrowed Books at Worcester Public Library in 2023
WORCESTER – The Worcester Public Library (WPL) has released its top 10 borrowed books in 2023 for three group; kids, teens, and adults. WPL reports that it loaned over 623,000 items in 2023. The WPL main branch is at 3 Salem Sq. The library also has six branch locations...
Third Man Indicted in Worcester State Shooting
WORCESTER – A third man has been indicted by a grand jury in connection with the shooting at Worcester State University on Oct. 28. Worcester County District Attorney Joe Early Jr. announced on Thursday, Dec. 21, that a Worcester grand jury indicted Kevin Rodriguez, 18, of Lawrence on Wednesday. He will be arraigned on charges of Murder, Possession of a Loaded Firearm Not at Home or Work, and Possession of a Firearm Not at Home or Work.
Worcester Police Seek Help Locating Missing Teen
WORCESTER – The Worcester Police Department seek assistance locating a missing teen from New York Street in Worcester. Jzion Velazquez, 15, is 5’5″ tall with long black hair and a medium build. He was last seen wearing a black jacket and black jeans. Anyone with information is...
Mass AG Opens Accepting Grants Proposals for Heating Assistance
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has renewed the AGO’s Residential Energy Assistance Grant (REAG) program, committing $1.1 million in grants available to non-profits and municipalities for programs that assist Massachusetts residents in managing their heating bills. The REAG Program is open to state agencies, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations. It...
Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Auburn Man on Gun Charges
WORCESTER – A traffic stop in Worcester led to the arrest of an Auburn man on Tuesday on firearms charges,. At around 11:10 AM, a Worcester Police officer on patrol near Front Street observed a Mercedes take a left in front of a “No Left Turn” sign. The officer activated his lights and initiated a motor vehicle stop near 544 Main St.
Local Activists Target Rep. McGovern for Cease-Fire in Gaza
WORCESTER – A multi-faith group of residents rallied outside the office of Rep. Jim McGovern on Shrewsbury Street over the weekend in protest of what they call his lack of action on the war in Gaza. The group, which included Christians, Jews and Muslims, displayed signs alongside a digital...
Lawmakers Urge AG to Join Worcester Firefighters’ Lawsuit
WORCESTER – A majority of 24 state senators and 73 state representatives sent a letter to Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell on Monday to urge her to join the lawsuit filed by 10 Worcester firefighters against manufacturers of firefighter turnout gear treated with Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The lawsuit claims that these manufacturers sell PFAS-treated products to governments and firefighters despite knowing the extreme health dangers of PFAS exposure.
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