CAVA and First Watch eye Grove Street
CAVA and First Watch are proposed as tenants in a new commercial development at 278 Grove St., bringing two national restaurant chains without current Worcester locations into the city. Revised plans covering Grove Street, Brookfield Street and Powers Court were filed this week. The development is scheduled to return to the Planning Board on July 15 for site-plan and private-street approvals.
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WCAC creates new advocacy role
The Worcester Community Action Council hired Giselle Rivera-Flores as its first chief external affairs officer. She will oversee communications, legislative advocacy, community engagement, research and regional partnerships for the anti-poverty organization. Rivera-Flores previously served as communications director for state Sen. Robyn Kennedy and brings more than 15 years of experience to the newly created position.
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Clark lands $27M for technology apprenticeships
Clark University received a four-year, $27 million federal grant to expand paid apprenticeships leading to information technology careers. The TechImpact initiative is expected to enroll and retain more than 3,800 apprentices while increasing employer participation in federally registered programs. Clark is the only college or university among five organizations selected for the nearly $162 million national initiative.
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Farmers markets spread across Worcester
Weekly farmers markets are operating at Beaver Brook Park, University Park and Exchange Street, with additional mobile markets visiting neighborhoods across Worcester. Shoppers can find produce, baked goods, honey, mushrooms, prepared foods and culturally significant crops through the fall. Several markets also accept nutrition-assistance benefits, helping bring fresh food into neighborhoods while supporting local growers and vendors.
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Weekend picks bring punk, insects and an ’80s goodbye
The Seven Hills Music Festival brings Four Year Strong and a packed punk and hardcore lineup to The Palladium, while the EcoTarium devotes a day to the surprisingly important world of insects. The Deloreans will play one of their final concerts before disbanding, and the weekend also includes outdoor art and a Disney movie night. It is a lineup built for loud music, tiny creatures and one last trip through the 1980s.
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Students tackle the problem of spoiled produce
Blackstone Valley Tech students Britha Abunga, Anna Platek and Evan St. George received the first Plant Science and Sustainability Award from New England Botanic Garden. Their research tested whether a bacterium combined with refrigeration could slow the decomposition of fruits and vegetables. The project explored a practical way to reduce food waste and preserve fresh food longer.
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Police recruit age rises to 39
Worcester increased the maximum eligibility age for police recruits from 32 to 39 after Gov. Maura Healey signed a city-backed home-rule petition. The change comes as the annual candidate pool has fallen from roughly 1,200 to 1,500 people to about 200 to 250. City officials hope the broader age range will help fill vacancies caused by retirements, disabilities and military deployments.
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Mosquito crews schedule July visits
Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project crews are scheduled to work in Worcester on July 7, 14, 21 and 28. Residents may request limited truck-mounted spraying, though treatment depends on weather, mosquito activity and population thresholds. No aerial spraying is planned, and neighborhoods selected for treatment will receive alerts from the city.
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Friendly rivalry delivers lifesaving donations
More than 100 people donated blood during the Battle of the Badges at the DCU Center. Worcester police and firefighters competed for bragging rights while helping the Red Cross address a summer decline in appointments. Each donation can help as many as three patients, giving the friendly public-safety rivalry a much larger payoff.
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Community Healthlink posts transition updates
UMass Memorial Health launched an online page tracking Community Healthlink programs as the behavioral health organization moves toward eventual closure. Most services remain open for now, while several programs have closed or transferred to new operators. The page is intended to help clients, families and referral partners follow changes affecting mental health, substance-use and homelessness services.
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UMass Memorial earns LGBTQ+ care recognition
UMass Memorial Health was designated an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The recognition is the highest rating available through the 2026 Healthcare Equality Index. The Worcester-based system was evaluated on inclusive patient care, employee policies, staff education and community engagement.
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Doug Hannam Way honors a Little League lifetime
A section of Mayfield Street beside Beaver Brook Park will be renamed Doug Hannam Way in memory of Douglas J. Hannam Jr. Hannam spent more than 55 years with Ted Williams Little League as a player, umpire, coach, president and board member. He also oversaw youth baseball and softball programs across the region as District 4 administrator from 1999 through 2012.
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Veteran family prepares to receive new home
Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester will dedicate an affordable condominium at 11 Gibbs St. on July 20 for a local veteran family. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom home is part of Habitat’s affordable homeownership program, which requires participating families to contribute 300 hours of work and repay an income-based mortgage. Side by Side Charitable Organization supported the project and other Habitat programs serving veterans.
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Guilty plea entered in staged robbery scheme
Mitul Patel of Worcester pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit visa fraud through a staged armed robbery. Federal prosecutors said Patel paid to pose as a victim during an October 2023 robbery arranged to support a fraudulent application for immigration benefits. He is one of 11 people charged in a broader scheme involving at least six businesses and is scheduled to be sentenced July 29.
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Regina Marshall takes charge at Advocates
Regina Marshall became president and CEO of Advocates following the retirement of Diane Gould. Marshall previously served as chief operating officer and helped guide growth, strategic planning and agency mergers at the human-services nonprofit. She now leads more than 2,700 employees serving over 50,000 people each year across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
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Main South weighs growth against old frustrations
New businesses, housing projects and community investments are bringing visible change to Main South. Residents and business owners nevertheless continue to raise concerns about public safety, homelessness, infrastructure, blight and the concentration of social services. The neighborhood’s future remains tied to whether new investment can produce improvements residents experience in their daily lives.
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WooSox seek another second-half turnaround
The WooSox returned home after July 4 with a 40-42 record and the possibility of finishing below .500 for the first time since moving to Worcester. The franchise faced a similar position in 2024 before going 39-27 over the remainder of the season. Upcoming trades, promotions and prospect movement could again transform the roster during the season’s second half.
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EcoTarium honors global conservation leader
The EcoTarium presented its highest honor to Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, a United Nations environmental leader and international biodiversity diplomat. Mrema received the Edward Howe Forbush Naturalist Award for lifetime achievement in conservation, stewardship and science education. She accepted the honor virtually from the United Nations Environment Programme headquarters in Nairobi.
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Preventive treatment briefly closes two lakes
Worcester treated Coes Reservoir and Indian Lake with copper sulfate July 6 to prevent potentially harmful algae blooms. Swimming, boating, fishing and other water uses were suspended for the day, though officials said no harmful algae threat had been detected. The restrictions were expected to end the following day after the preventive application was completed.
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Residents invited into transportation planning
The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission is seeking feedback on a draft plan governing public involvement in transportation decisions. The policy covers Worcester and 39 surrounding communities and affects planning for roads, bridges, public transit, bicycle routes and pedestrian projects. The proposal calls for more accessible meetings, clearer language and greater participation from residents historically left out of the process.
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Army veteran leads city veterans office
Bruce Mendelsohn was named Worcester’s new director of veterans services. The former U.S. Army officer will oversee assistance connecting veterans and their families with local, state and federal benefits. His office also administers Massachusetts Chapter 115 benefits and helps veterans navigate health care, disability compensation, pensions and other programs.
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Triple play makes Polar Park history
The WooSox turned the first triple play in Polar Park history during an 8-7 victory over Rochester. Nick Sogard caught a line drive, Tyler McDonough doubled a runner off second and Mickey Gasper completed the play at first. It was only the second triple play in franchise history, and Sogard is the only player who took part in both.
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WooSox alumni ranked by major-league success
Nearly 60 players and one manager have reached Major League Baseball after spending time with the WooSox. Ceddanne Rafaela topped a ranking of the 10 most successful graduates so far, followed by Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran and Brayan Bello. The list also includes interim Red Sox manager Chad Tracy, whose jump from Worcester placed him among an especially small group.
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Burkett sweeps three district championships
Jesse Burkett Little League softball teams won District 4 championships at the 10U, 12U and Junior levels. All three teams advanced to their respective state tournaments after completing a rare same-season sweep. The achievement extends a run in which Burkett has produced at least one district and state champion during each of the past four seasons.
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Railers captain returns for sixth season
Anthony Repaci re-signed with the Worcester Railers for the 2026-27 season, making him the first player under contract for the coming year. The captain holds the franchise records for games, goals, assists, points and every major power-play scoring category. His return provides continuity as Worcester begins a new affiliation with the St. Louis Blues organization.
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Melissa Ludtke revisits the fight for clubhouse access
Journalist Melissa Ludtke returned to Polar Park to discuss the federal lawsuit that opened Major League Baseball clubhouses to women reporters. Ludtke was barred from the Yankees clubhouse during the 1977 World Series before Sports Illustrated challenged the policy in court and won. Her appearance connected that landmark fight for equal access with the continuing experiences of women working in sports media.
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Have a story tip, community concern, or insight to share? Email Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org.
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