Springfield, MA
News
COVID-19: These 15 'Red' Cities And Towns Pose Highest Infection Risk COVID-19: These 15 'Red' Cities And Towns Pose Highest Infection Risk
Covid-19: These 15 'Red' Cities And Towns Pose Highest Infection Risk More than 50 Massachusetts cities and towns are now considered to be at “high-risk” for spreading COVID-19 infections, according to the most recent state data. Among the communities where the risk is highest - 8 or more new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, per day - are 15 Western and Central Massachusetts municipalities. The community with the highest daily incident rate is Marlborough - 19.9 new cases per day per 100,000 and going up. Though the risk is still high, infections in Amherst, Southborough, Springfield, and Sunderland are decreasing. On Wednesday, Oct. 14, Massachus…

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by Kristin Palpini
Worcester, MA
Police & Fire
Stolen DPW Truck Left In The Middle Of The Road Leads To Teen's Arrest Stolen DPW Truck Left In The Middle Of The Road Leads To Teen's Arrest
Stolen DPW Truck Left In The Middle Of The Road Leads To Teen's Arrest A 19-year-old has been arrested after allegedly stealing a Marlborough DPW truck. John Paquin, 19, of Marlborough, was arrested at about 4:20 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13, on a charge of larceny of a motor vehicle as well as an active warrant, police said. Police were alerted to Paquin after receiving calls that a man had parked a DPW truck in the middle of the road on Major Taylor Boulevard and walked away, police said. Officers located Paquin on the St. Vincent Hospital property. Upon investigation, police discovered a warrant for Paquin’s arrest and that he did not have permission to use t…

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by Kristin Palpini
Worcester, MA
News
COVID-19: Positive-Test-Rate Spikes - Twice As High As Summertime Average COVID-19: Positive-Test-Rate Spikes - Twice As High As Summertime Average
Covid-19: Positive-Test-Rate Spikes - Twice As High As Summertime Average The daily COVID-19 positive test rate has shot up to 4 percent in Massachusetts - a stark change from the 2 percent - or under - rates that the state enjoyed for much of the summer. More than 4.8 million COVID-19 tests have been administered in Massachusetts since the start of the pandemic. In the most recent weekly COVID-19 town-by-town state data, there were 40 communities listed as high-risk for the virus’ spread. The data was reported on Oct. 7. The week prior, there were 23 communities considered high-risk. The places where COVID-19 is spreading the fastest are in the Northeastern p…

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by Kristin Palpini
Springfield, MA
News
Website Lists Every MA School That Reported Positive COVID-19 Cases - Link Updated Website Lists Every MA School That Reported Positive COVID-19 Cases - Link Updated
Website Lists Every MA School That Reported Positive Covid-19 Cases - Link Updated In Massachusetts, 96 confirmed incidents of COVID-19 infections among elementary and secondary school students, faculty, and staff have been reported since the start of the pandemic. So far, Worcester has had the most wide-reaching outbreak, but the virus only spread to faculty and staff. No Worcester students have reported contracting COVID-19 at school. About 50 Massachusetts school districts have had to contend with infections and the aftermath, which can include sterilization and quarantine. The numbers come from the National Education Association, which is tracking reports of school-…

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by Kristin Palpini
Springfield, MA
News
COVID-19: Dozen Central/Western Mass Communities Are 'High-Risk' For Infection COVID-19: Dozen Central/Western Mass Communities Are 'High-Risk' For Infection
Covid-19: Dozen Central/Western Mass Communities Are 'High-Risk' For Infection COVID-19 rates are spiking in new communities in Western and Central Massachusetts. According to the most recent state data, Wednesday, Oct. 7, there are about a dozen “high-risk” or “red” communities in the second half of Massachusetts. High-risk communities have 8 or more positive COVID-19 tests per 100,000 residents - a level that puts the town at high-risk for spreading the disease. The community with the highest rate of average daily COVID-19 infections is Sunderland, with 20.67 new infections per 100,000 residents. The community with the most total cases over the past two weeks is …

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by Kristin Palpini
New Haven, CT
Police & Fire
Regal Cinemas Temporarily Closing 500 Theaters - 14 in MA and CT Regal Cinemas Temporarily Closing 500 Theaters - 14 in MA and CT
Regal Cinemas Temporarily Closing 500 Theaters - 14 in MA and CT With not enough blockbuster movies to screen, on Thursday, Oct. 8 Regal Cinemas is temporarily closing more than 500 theaters in the U.S. and Canada. This includes 10 theaters in Massachusetts and four in Connecticut. In all 536 theaters will close and impact 40,000 employees across the U.S. Massachusetts movie theaters began reopening in August after they were shuttered by the COVID-19 pandemic in March. But moviemakers have been experimenting with airing new releases in people’s homes, major markets like New York City are yet to reopen, and customers are still cautious about going to the…

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by Kristin Palpini
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
News
COVID-19 Red List: New Central Mass Towns Designated 'High-Risk'; WMass Improving COVID-19 Red List: New Central Mass Towns Designated 'High-Risk'; WMass Improving
Covid-19 Red List: New Central Mass Towns Designated 'High-Risk'; WMass Improving COVID-19 infection rates in Central Massachusetts are improving - for the most part - but there are still several communities in the red. Meanwhile, in Western Massachusetts, all communities have come off the “red” list - so-named because of a color-coded map where red indicates the highest level of COVID-19 infections. Despite a slightly better infection rate, Worcester is still “red-listed” as one of the Massachusetts communities that are considered to have a “high risk” for spreading COVID-19, according to the newest data presented on Thursday, Sept. 24. The average daily incident rate …

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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
News
COVID-19: Where To Get Tested In Worcester County COVID-19: Where To Get Tested In Worcester County
Covid-19: Where To Get Tested In Worcester County The number of places providing COVID-19 testing has expanded over the last week as Massachusetts and surrounding states pass travel restrictions for people coming in from out of state. A lot of testing places will provide free tests to people with no health care insurance, according to the Massachusetts COVID-19 online resource center. Some testing places require an appointment, though; it is best to call ahead if a person is planning to get tested. Depending on the kind of test a person gets - SARS Antigen, PCR, anti-body - makes a difference as to whether a health care insurance provider …

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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
Worcester, MA
News
Three Marijuana Dispensaries Nailed with $800,000 In State Fines Three Marijuana Dispensaries Nailed with $800,000 In State Fines
Three Marijuana Dispensaries Nailed with $800,000 In State Fines Three marijuana dispensaries are facing multi-hundred-thousand dollar fines for violating pesticide and ownership laws. The Botanist, Garden Remedies, and Healthy Pharms have been assessed fines that total $800,000, according to the most recent information provided by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. All three marijuana entities have agreed to pay the fines and perform other remedies as required by the state. The fines were assessed by the Cannabis Control Commission, which oversees marijuana licensure in Massachusetts and conducts compliance investigations. The Botanist: Wor…

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by Kristin Palpini