This week’s highlights from the Worcester Guardian:
Worcester crosses into billion-dollar budget territory
City Manager Eric Batista unveiled Worcester’s first proposed $1 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2027, marking a historic financial milestone for the city. The proposal leans heavily on infrastructure, schools and public safety while reflecting rising costs, increased state aid and continued growth. The budget now moves through council and committee review before final adoption.
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Community Healthlink future grows more uncertain
UMass Memorial Health confirmed that talks with Open Sky Community Services over several Community Healthlink programs did not result in an agreement. Community Healthlink is moving toward what the health system described as eventual closure, while officials continue looking for providers to sustain mental health and substance use services.
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Councilors press for answers on crisis response
Worcester councilors are seeking clearer information on how the city responds to mental health-related 911 calls amid ongoing concerns and a pending federal lawsuit. Councilor Kathleen Toomey’s order asks for details on current police and emergency communications procedures, while other councilors pressed for data on clinician involvement and crisis response outcomes. City Manager Eric Batista said a report is expected to return to the council in the coming weeks.
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Turf field report held for more review
The Worcester School Committee delayed filing a report tied to artificial turf and future athletic field projects after members raised safety and environmental concerns. The discussion followed a recommendation supporting turf at Doherty High School, though the delay does not affect that planned field project. Committee members requested more information before finalizing the report, with broader questions still surrounding turf, natural grass, athlete injuries and product safety.
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Worcester Tech lands $3.75M trades grant
Worcester Technical High School will receive a $3.75 million state grant to upgrade its plumbing and HVAC programs. The funding modernizes lab spaces, expands training capacity and supports new equipment tied to high-efficiency systems and digital controls. School officials said the investment helps address regional workforce shortages while preparing students and adult learners for in-demand trades.
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Early special education access gets state boost
Worcester Public Schools received a $10,373 state grant aimed at improving access to special education services for young children in community preschool settings. The funding is part of a statewide initiative supporting partnerships between districts and community-based providers. The effort is designed to help children receive IEP services where they already learn, rather than requiring families to move them into separate settings.
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Anna Maria nursing students may get Assumption pathway
Assumption University and Anna Maria College plan to submit a proposal that would transition Anna Maria’s nursing program to Assumption as Anna Maria prepares to close. The proposal must be reviewed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. If approved, current Anna Maria nursing students would have a structured pathway to continue their studies with coordinated advising and fewer academic disruptions.
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Head Start holds steady under pressure
Worcester’s Head Start enrollment has remained strong over the past three years, with monthly enrollment ranging from 360 students to the program’s 416-student capacity. District officials said rising costs, staffing challenges, federal income limits and transportation barriers continue to complicate operations. The Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Supports unanimously approved and filed the enrollment report.
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Federal money advances senior housing project
A redevelopment project tied to the former St. Vincent Hospital campus received a $1.2 million federal earmark for environmental remediation. Rogerson Communities plans to restore the historic convent and nurses home at 128 Providence St. while building 98 affordable homes for older adults near the Worcester Senior Center. The funding supports lead and asbestos remediation as the project moves forward.
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Worcester library earns back-to-back national honors
Katelyn Duncan, Worcester Public Library’s new American librarian, was named a 2026 Library Journal “Mover and Shaker.” The honor comes one year after Executive Director Jason Homer received the same recognition, giving the library rare back-to-back national recognition. Duncan’s work focuses on immigrant inclusion, access and helping new arrivals navigate resources in Worcester.
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Utility boxes get another public art round
Worcester opened the next round of the WooBox Art Project, inviting local artists to submit designs for utility boxes across the city. Selected artists will receive $500 per design, with up to 29 new works expected to be installed. Applications are due June 19, and selections are expected in mid-July.
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Belén’s Clark Brunch opens on Main Street
Belén’s Clark Brunch opened at 934 Main St., taking over the longtime Annie’s Clark Brunch space near Clark University. Owner Zaida Melendez is blending classic American diner fare with Salvadoran dishes, including pupusas and tamales. The diner is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Council sends $1B budget to finance review
Worcester’s proposed $1 billion budget moved forward after several hours of City Council debate, with councilors referring major spending measures to the Finance Committee. The proposal includes about $612 million for education, along with capital spending tied to infrastructure, public safety facilities and school buildings. Councilors raised questions about spending, education needs and how the city should balance growth with rising costs.
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Nonprofits prepare resilience showcase
United Way of Central Massachusetts is hosting a Community Resilience Showcase on May 4 at 18 Chestnut St. in Worcester. The event brings together organizations supported by recent relief and assistance funding, including the United Response Fund, National Grid Foundation Utility Assistance Funding and the ARPA Food Security Initiative. Participating nonprofits will discuss work tied to housing instability, food insecurity and other urgent needs across Central Massachusetts.
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Social media limits draw Worcester support
A proposed Massachusetts ban on social media use for children under 14 is gaining support from some Worcester-area residents who work with children and families. The House-approved bill would require age verification and terminate accounts for users under 14, while Gov. Maura Healey has also proposed restrictions on features used by minors. Local parents, coaches and behavioral specialists said limits could help reduce screen time, though concerns remain about enforcement and what children do instead.
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Conservation and animal care projects get $85K
The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts awarded nearly $85,000 to nine organizations through its Environmental Preservation & Animal Welfare program. The grants support land preservation, environmental education, habitat restoration and low-cost veterinary services. Recipients include Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, North County Land Trust and Second Chance Animal Services.
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Women’s pro baseball vision comes to Polar Park
Justine Siegal, commissioner and co-founder of the Women’s Pro Baseball League, is scheduled to speak Saturday at Polar Park as part of the Larry Lucchino Writers Series. The new league includes teams representing Boston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, with its inaugural season set for Aug. 1 through Sept. 6 in Springfield, Ill. Siegal will discuss her path through baseball and the changes needed to expand opportunities for women in the sport.
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Baseball poetry returns to Polar Park
The National Baseball Poetry Festival returned to Worcester for its fourth year, bringing writers, students, educators and fans to Polar Park. The multi-day festival blends readings, workshops, panels, open-mic sessions, music and WooSox games. Organizers say participants are traveling from dozens of states and multiple countries, turning a niche event into a broader national gathering.
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WooSox return home in tight race
The WooSox opened a homestand against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with both teams at 18-14 and tied in a crowded International League East race. Worcester returned from a split series in Rochester with hot hitters, including Vinny Capra, who entered the week with the league’s best on-base percentage. The homestand includes promotions such as Dog Days, 508 Day, fireworks, Mother’s Day brunch and National Baseball Poetry Festival events.
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Worcester girls lacrosse eyes another playoff run
The Worcester girls co-op lacrosse team is building momentum behind five seniors who stuck with the program after difficult early seasons. The Warriors stood at 8-5, with a 7-2 league record and a second-place spot in the Central Mass. Athletic Conference B standings. With five regular season games left, Worcester remains in position to chase a second straight state tournament appearance.
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Weekend picks go loud, literary and local
This week’s five things to do included Monster Jam at the DCU Center, the National Baseball Poetry Festival at Polar Park and the debut of the Worcester Railers Explorer Express Train at EcoTarium. The lineup also featured a ’90s cover night at Electric Haze and a Museum of Worcester book sale. The weekend mix offered oversized trucks, ballpark verse, local history, live music and one very Worcester train-meets-hockey crossover.
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