Worcester, MA
Business
These 21 Communities Can't Take Next Step To Reopen State Economy These 21 Communities Can't Take Next Step To Reopen State Economy
These 21 Communities Can't Take Next Step To Reopen State Economy There are 21 communities, including several in Western and Central Massachusetts, that won’t be moving on to the next step in the state economy’s reopening. On Monday, Oct. 5, communities will be able to move onto Step 2 of Phase 3 in Massachusetts re-opening plan if they are considered low-risk for COVID-19 infection. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, Gov. Charlie Baker said commonwealth communities that have not been “red” for the last three weeks can proceed to Step 2. Being a “red” community refers to the state’s COVID-19 infection, color-coded maps. Communities in the red have the highest rate of…

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by Kristin Palpini
Worcester, MA
Police & Fire
Haddad, Auto Shops Owner, Accused Of Fraud - Again Haddad, Auto Shops Owner, Accused Of Fraud - Again
Haddad, Auto Shops Owner, Accused Of Fraud - Again The owner of autobody shops in Worcester and Everett is being accused of fraud - again. Adam Haddad pleaded guilty on Monday, Sept. 21, to a payroll scheme that resulted in the loss of almost $300,000 in taxes to the IRS, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts. Haddad is a licensed automotive appraiser who owns Accurate Collision in Worcester and ADH Collision in Everett. Haddad was also accused of fraud in 2019 when he allegedly used hammers and wood to damage cars brought to his shop and file false insurance claims, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.  Haddad pleaded n…

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by Kristin Palpini
Worcester, MA
News
COVID-19: Worcester Is On Newest List Of 'High-Risk' Communities COVID-19: Worcester Is On Newest List Of 'High-Risk' Communities
Covid-19: Worcester Is On Newest List Of 'High-Risk' Communities The people of Worcester are at high-risk of catching COVID-19, according to new information from the state. On Wednesday, Sept. 16, Massachusetts released an updated COVID-19 map showing where the “hot-spots” or areas with high infection rates are located. Worcester has made the state's “red” list, so named for the state’s color-coded risk assessment. Red is reserved for the communities with the highest risk of COVID-19 infection. Worcester's infection rate is 9.5 COVID-19 infections per 100,000 people. The most recently listed high-risk communities in Massachusetts are: Chelsea Dedham …

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by Kristin Palpini
Worcester, MA
Business
COVID-19 State Inspectors Find Nearly 50 Violations In Highest-Risk Communities COVID-19 State Inspectors Find Nearly 50 Violations In Highest-Risk Communities
Covid-19 State Inspectors Find Nearly 50 Violations In Highest-Risk Communities State inspectors found nearly 50 COVID-19 violations in a targetted crack-down on five high-risk communities over the Labor Day Weekend. Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Sept. 3 that the state would be targeting the state’s five highest risk communities - Chelse, Everett, Lawrence, Lynn, and Revere - for COVID-19 violations. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, Baker said that inspectors found 47 violations in the five communities. The names of the businesses were not shared, but Baker noted inspectors visited funeral homes, nail salons, and barbershops among other businesses. In addition to the enforce…

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by Kristin Palpini
Worcester, MA
Business
UPDATED Wave of Pink Slips Hit As Amazon Cuts Ties With Local Companies - Offers New Jobs UPDATED Wave of Pink Slips Hit As Amazon Cuts Ties With Local Companies - Offers New Jobs
Updated Wave of Pink Slips Hit As Amazon Cuts Ties With Local Companies - Offers New Jobs Hundreds of delivery drivers will be laid off in the coming months as small logistics companies are dropped by mega-online retailer Amazon. In this round, Courier Distribution Systems, LLC, will layoff or reduce the hours of 238 employees across its Milford, Dedham, and Everett facilities, according to a WARN letter filed with the Massachusetts Rapid Response Team. In July, Systemized Logistics of Bristol, Connecticut, announced 50 employees would be laid off due to a decline in orders from Amazon, the company owner said in a WARN letter. The company made another 70 layoffs between its Mass…

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by Kristin Palpini
Worcester, MA
Business
Worcester, Everett Auto Shop Caught Paying Employees 'Under The Table' Worcester, Everett Auto Shop Caught Paying Employees 'Under The Table'
Worcester, Everett Auto Shop Caught Paying Employees 'Under The Table' The owner of auto body shops in Worcester and Everett has been charged with tax evasion for paying some of his employees “under the table.” Adam Haddad, 43, of Shrewsbury, has been charged with three counts of aiding the preparing of false tax returns, according to the U..S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts. Haddad has agreed to plead guilty, the Attorney's Office said. From March 2015 through June 2017, Haddad allegedly paid a significant portion of wages to employees of his company - Accurate Collision - off the books to avoid paying taxes. In doing so, Haddad caused Accurate Collision …

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by Kristin Palpini
Springfield, MA
News
COVID-19: Free Testing Coming To Worcester County, Western Massachusetts COVID-19: Free Testing Coming To Worcester County, Western Massachusetts
Covid-19: Free Testing Coming To Worcester County, Western Massachusetts Targetted COVID-19 testing sites are being dispatched to hot spots in Worcester County and Western Massachusetts. On Monday, July 27, Gov. Charlie Baker announced the expansion of the “Stop the Spread” initiative, which provides free COVID-19 testing where it’s most needed. New testing sites in the Western part of the state include: Agawam Springfield Worcester. The sites are now being launched and will be available through Aug. 14. More information about the location will be provided at mass.gov/stopthespread. Other communities included in the expansion are Brockton, Methuen, Randolp…

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by Kristin Palpini