Bergman renews call for Isaiah Thomas monument
Councilor Morris Bergman asked the city to find funding for a prominent monument outside City Hall commemorating Isaiah Thomas’ public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Bergman argued that the existing ground-level plaque is difficult to find and fails to convey Worcester’s importance in Revolutionary history. The council sent his request, along with a proposal to restore the existing plaque, to City Manager Eric Batista. Read more
TPS changes raise concerns for Worcester families and employers
Worcester’s Human Rights Commission heard a briefing on federal actions ending temporary protected status for many Haitian and Syrian immigrants. City officials discussed expiring work authorization, changes in immigration court procedures and resources available to affected residents and employers. No formal action was taken, though the commission hopes to bring legal-services representatives to a future meeting. Read more
Worcester considers citywide fiber network
Worcester is seeking ideas from broadband providers and technology experts as it considers developing a citywide fiber-optic network. The city issued a request for information focused on infrastructure, network operations, digital inclusion, emerging technologies and potential public-private partnerships. Responses are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 2, but the request is not a formal bid or a commitment to build the network. Read more
Developer proposes 207 homes on former athletic fields
A Connecticut developer is proposing 207 homes on 36.7 acres at 232 Stafford St., property owned by Worcester Academy and formerly used as the New Balance Fields. Plans call for 150 attached single-family homes, a four-story building with 57 apartments and 452 parking spaces. The Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to consider the special permit and variance requests Aug. 10. Read more
City funding supports 74 affordable homes
Worcester’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund approved nearly $1.36 million for four projects expected to create 74 deed-restricted affordable homes. The awards support the Lakeside Apartments redevelopment, conversion of the former Heywood Boot & Shoe Company building, new senior housing at Colony on Grove and three infill homes in South Worcester. City officials said the funding is expected to leverage more than $154 million in total development investment. Read more
Church complaints prompt review of Worcester noise rules
Years of complaints about late-night events at St. Joan of Arc Church led city councilors to request a broader review of Worcester’s excessive-noise ordinance and enforcement procedures. Church leaders said all-night events have been canceled and stricter rules imposed, while Inspectional Services reported no actionable complaints since restrictions on the function space were lifted July 10. The council referred the ordinance review to the Public Safety Committee and requested a report on how complaints are received and investigated. Read more
Sewer overflow triggers Lake Quinsigamond restrictions
An estimated 15,000 gallons of untreated wastewater overflowed from a sewer line near 23 Southwest Cutoff and entered a stormwater system leading toward Lake Quinsigamond. City crews stopped the discharge about two hours after it began, but officials advised against swimming and fishing near Whitla Drive and Ideal Road because of possible elevated E. coli levels. The city said water testing would continue until the affected area was considered safe for recreational use. Read more
Youth leadership program begins 13th year
Twenty-five Worcester-area students ages 15 to 21 are spending six weeks meeting local leaders, visiting organizations and exploring careers through the Worcester Youth Leadership Institute. The program runs through Aug. 14 and covers business, government, education, public health, entrepreneurship and nonprofit work. This year’s institute honors Walter Jovel, the longtime program facilitator and youth mentor who died unexpectedly in May. Read more
Final beam raised for $37.4 million QCC Center
Quinsigamond Community College marked the completion of the structural frame for its new QCC Center with a topping-off ceremony. The 57,000-square-foot building will include advanced manufacturing and robotics laboratories, hospitality-training spaces, flexible classrooms and renovated athletic facilities. The $37.4 million project is expected to open in fall 2027. Read more
Rosie Fayard chosen to lead education foundation
The Worcester Educational Development Foundation named Rosie Fayard its new executive director. Fayard brings more than 15 years of nonprofit fundraising and leadership experience, including oversight of a $20 million campaign at Learning First Charter Public School. Her initial priorities include modernizing donor systems, expanding the foundation’s public presence and developing a new strategic plan. Read more
Chad Tracy’s path from Worcester reaches Boston
Chad Tracy returned to Polar Park as a WooSox Hall of Fame inductee after making the rapid jump from managing in Triple-A to leading the Boston Red Sox. Tracy spent more than four seasons managing Worcester and credited his time at Polar Park with helping him grow. His induction came as Boston was riding a 15-game winning streak under his direction as interim manager. Read more
State grant expands pollinator gardens at Worcester schools
A $55,875 state biodiversity grant is supporting expanded pollinator gardens at Worcester public schools and other sites in historically underserved neighborhoods. The Regional Environmental Council project added five gardens, expanded 10 others and planted more than 40 species of native perennials. Eleven Worcester public schools benefited from the work, which is also expected to engage at least 300 students and other community members in environmental education. Read more
Femme Bar named one of America’s best
USA TODAY named Femme Bar on Green Street one of its 38 Bars of the Year for 2026. Femme was the only Worcester establishment and one of three Massachusetts bars selected for the national list. The publication cited the venue’s welcoming atmosphere, entertainment, food and colorfully named cocktails. Read more
Five more signings bring Railers roster to 19
Worcester added returning players Jordan Kaplan, William Lavalliere and Cam McDonald along with newcomers Tyson Fawcett and Will van der Veen. The additions increased the Railers’ roster to 19 players under contract, although the opening-night lineup remains subject to additional moves and assignments from Springfield. The team will move forward without longtime Worcester players Anthony and Drew Callin, with Anthony headed to Savannah and Drew exploring opportunities outside professional hockey. Read more
Soul Asylum returns to Worcester after 38 years
Soul Asylum played Off the Rails on July 28, marking the band’s first Worcester performance since a 1988 concert at Worcester Academy. The 20-song set featured “Somebody to Shove,” “Misery,” “Black Gold,” “Runaway Train” and other favorites from the band’s 1990s catalog. Originally scheduled outdoors, the concert moved inside because of the threat of rain. Read more
Lanterns, drag and disco fill the weekend calendar
The Worcester Water Lantern Festival brings glowing biodegradable lanterns, music and family activities to Elm Park on Saturday evening. Sunday’s events include Joslyn Fox’s 40th birthday bash at Electric Haze, Herb Alpert at The Hanover Theatre and an ABBA tribute at Off The Rails. ArtsWorcester’s annual members exhibition, featuring more than 250 works, is also open through Aug. 23. Read more
Open Sky fundraiser brings in nearly $110,000
More than 250 walkers, runners and cyclists participated in Open Sky Community Services’ 41st annual Valley Friendship Tour. The June 6 event raised nearly $110,000 for programs serving people facing behavioral-health challenges, developmental disabilities, substance-use disorders, homelessness and other complex needs. Teresa Pitaro of Norwood was the top individual fundraiser for the fifth consecutive year, collecting nearly $7,000. Read more
Bowditch earns fourth consecutive workplace honor
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly gave Bowditch LLP its Empowering Women Award for the fourth consecutive year. The award recognizes law firms working to recruit, retain and advance women attorneys. Bowditch cited its Women’s Initiative, leadership opportunities and a business-operations leadership team in which three-quarters of the members are women. Read more
Guardian opens applications for community board
The Worcester Guardian is accepting applications for a new volunteer Community Advisory Board intended to strengthen connections between the newsroom and city residents. Members will offer insight into neighborhood concerns, emerging issues and community information needs but will not participate in editorial decision-making. Applications are open through Oct. 1 to residents from a range of neighborhoods, professions, cultures and backgrounds. Read more
WooSox induct four into Hall of Fame
The WooSox inducted Chad Tracy, Charles Steinberg, Mark Fidrych and Gene Zabinski into the team’s Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Polar Park. Tracy managed the WooSox for more than four seasons before taking over as interim manager of the Boston Red Sox, while Steinberg has served as Worcester’s team president since 2021. Fidrych was honored for his celebrated pitching career and Central Massachusetts roots, and Zabinski for helping lead the postcard campaign that promoted Worcester as a future home for the PawSox. Read more
Railers add four as veteran core takes shape
The Worcester Railers added Matt DeMelis, MacAuley Carson, Dalton Duhart and newcomer Matthew Hobbs to their 2026-27 roster. The signings brought Worcester to 14 players under contract, including several veterans who have spent multiple seasons with the team. The Railers had not yet announced a goaltender and were expected to receive additional help from their affiliates before opening night. Read more
Have a story tip, community concern, or insight to share? Email Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org.
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