DOJ ends Worcester police investigation without further action
The U.S. Department of Justice ended its civil rights investigation into the Worcester Police Department, closing a federal inquiry that began in 2022 and produced findings of excessive force and unconstitutional sexual misconduct. The city said federal officials informed Worcester that the matter would be closed without further action, while the department’s December 2024 findings remain a central point of debate. Police Chief Paul Saucier said the department would continue its work to modernize policies and rebuild public trust. Read more
Batista pushes back over city’s description of DOJ decision
City Manager Eric Batista responded Friday to criticism that Worcester had portrayed the Justice Department’s decision as a vindication of the Police Department. Batista said the city never claimed DOJ had retracted its 2024 findings or determined the allegations were unfounded, and acknowledged that the closure was “not vindication.” The dispute followed disclosure of a DOJ letter citing both reforms undertaken by Worcester police and a lack of current allegations involving the conduct examined in the investigation. Read more
GreenTech Park begins $12.8 million infrastructure project
The Worcester Business Development Corporation broke ground Thursday on the first phase of roadway and utility improvements at the 51-acre GreenTech Park, the former Saint-Gobain industrial campus off Interstate 190. The $12.8 million publicly funded project is intended to create development-ready parcels and eventually restore a roadway connection between the Indian Hill and Burncoat neighborhoods. Restaurant Depot, which recently completed local permitting for an approximately 50,000-square-foot facility, is expected to become the redevelopment’s first tenant. Read more
Teachers union seeks School Committee role in contract negotiations
Representatives of the Educational Association of Worcester urged School Committee members to become directly involved in negotiations as the union’s current contract approaches its Aug. 31 expiration. Union representatives said negotiations that began in October have largely been conducted with the district’s attorney and called for elected committee members to take a more active role. During the same Aug. 13 meeting, Superintendent Brian Allen received positive marks in his first annual evaluation, with most goals rated either “met” or showing “significant progress.” Read more
Worcester rail advocates call for faster trips to Boston
The Worcester MBTA Working Group released a long-term vision for improving commuter rail service between Worcester and Boston, including restoring express trains and reducing travel times. Recommendations include modernized signals, newer locomotives with amenities such as Wi-Fi, improved station signage and elimination of speed restrictions along portions of the line. The group, created in 2024 by Mayor Joseph Petty and City Manager Eric Batista, plans to use the recommendations in future discussions with the MBTA, MassDOT and state leaders. Read more
Tony Tilton remembered for decades of Worcester civic leadership
Sumner B. “Tony” Tilton Jr., a prominent Worcester attorney whose civic involvement stretched across healthcare, education, philanthropy, business and the arts, died Aug. 7 at age 88. The lifelong Worcester resident was an officer and director at Fletcher Tilton PC and held leadership roles with UMass Memorial Healthcare, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Clark University, the Worcester Art Museum and numerous other institutions. Frederick M. Misilo Jr. of Fletcher Tilton remembered Tilton as a mentor, role model and friend whose legacy of service would continue. Read more
Community Healthlink services find new operators
UMass Memorial Health finalized agreements to transfer most Community Healthlink programs to other nonprofit providers as the behavioral health organization prepares to cease operations after more than four decades. Behavioral Health Network will take over a substantial share of Worcester-based services, including the Worcester Community Behavioral Health Center, mental health and addiction programs and several residential and clinical services. Five other providers will assume additional programs, while no final date for Community Healthlink’s closure has been announced. Read more
Taco Bell clears zoning hurdle on Pullman Street
The Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals approved two special permits for a full-service Taco Bell with a drive-thru at 79 Pullman St., which would become the chain’s fourth Worcester location. The latest Building Worcester roundup also included approval for a new headquarters for a fire-extinguisher business on Woburn Street, GreenTech Park’s $12.8 million infrastructure groundbreaking and the appointment of Massachusetts’ first heat resilience officer during an event at Clark University. Restaurant Depot is expected to become the first tenant at the 51-acre GreenTech redevelopment. Read more
Bank of America gives $250,000 toward hospital expansion
Bank of America awarded $250,000 toward completion of 24 additional patient rooms in UMass Memorial Medical Center’s North Pavilion. The expansion will increase the pavilion from 72 to 96 private acute-care rooms, with the new beds expected to open in summer 2027. The grant is the first corporate contribution to a philanthropic campaign supporting completion of shell space that was built into the pavilion for future expansion. Read more
Girls Inc. participants get a taste of STEM and college life
Nearly 100 teenage girls spent four days at Clark University experimenting in laboratories, working with professors and students and exploring potential careers through a new partnership with Girls Inc. of Worcester. Participants in the organization’s Eureka! program worked in fields including biology, chemistry, physics, data science, interactive media and climate resiliency. The program also included leadership, economic independence, professional development and preparation for high school, college and careers. Read more
Worcester students keep free breakfast and lunch
Worcester Public Schools students continues receiving breakfast and lunch at no cost during the 2026-27 school year. The district participates in the federal Community Eligibility Provision, allowing all students to receive meals without families paying or submitting individual applications for free or reduced-price meals. Worcester Public Schools serves nearly 25,000 students across close to 50 schools and programs. Read more
Worcester State and WPI build engineering transfer pathway
Worcester State University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute are launching a new partnership that will give qualifying Worcester State students guaranteed admission to WPI. Students who successfully complete a new pre-engineering curriculum at Worcester State will be able to transfer into WPI to continue their engineering studies. The schools are scheduled to formally sign the agreement Aug. 18, with Worcester State planning to introduce the curriculum this fall. Read more
Clark joins national education doctorate consortium
Clark University joined the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate, an international network of more than 165 colleges and universities focused on strengthening professional doctoral education. Clark is one of 18 institutions newly admitted as it launches its Ed.D. in Transformative Education, a program centered on practitioner research and applying scholarship to real-world educational challenges. Membership gives Clark faculty and doctoral students access to a national network for sharing research, practices and ideas. Read more
School supply drive steps in to keep Worcester tradition alive
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff’s Association took over a longtime back-to-school supply effort after learning a previous community drive would not be held this year. Backpacks & Bright Futures was scheduled for Wednesday at Off The Rails, with admission consisting of a new backpack, school supplies or a $25 donation. Organizers planned to distribute donations to students at 10 Worcester schools and had already raised more than $6,000 before the event. Read more
Holy Cross alum helps Israel win historic lacrosse medal
Racheli Levy-Smith, a 2026 College of the Holy Cross graduate, helped Israel capture the first World Lacrosse Women’s Championship medal in the country’s history. Israel defeated the Haudenosaunee 7-4 in the bronze-medal game in Tokyo after reaching the semifinals for the first time. Levy-Smith led the tournament with 63 draw controls in six games and was one of just 10 players selected to the World Team. Read more
Nearly $500,000 targets rising food needs
Greater Worcester Community Foundation is directing nearly $500,000 toward food access as pantries and meal programs report increasing demand across Worcester County. A record $229,000 went to local organizations through the Worcester County Food Bank Fund to End Hunger, while another $250,000 is supporting an effort to improve food transportation and distribution in North Central Massachusetts. The investments address both the growing need for food assistance and logistical problems involving transportation, storage and distribution. Read more
Smith Pond Beach reopens after bacteria levels fall
Smith Pond Beach, also known as Cooks Pond, reopened after laboratory testing showed E. coli levels had returned to acceptable standards. The beach had been closed Aug. 5 after bacteria concentrations exceeded state water-quality standards and Worcester officials issued a public health advisory. Additional testing determined the water was again safe for recreational use. Read more
Body recovered from Lake Quinsigamond after overnight search
A man reported missing in Lake Quinsigamond Sunday afternoon was found dead Monday morning following a search involving multiple public safety agencies. Shrewsbury police said emergency crews responded around 3:27 p.m. Sunday to a report of a possible drowning near Sunset Beach and continued searching through the evening. The victim was located underwater using sonar after the search resumed Monday and was pronounced dead after being recovered by dive teams. Read more
West Nile detection prompts another round of spraying
Another Worcester mosquito sample tested positive for West Nile virus, prompting mosquito-control crews to schedule truck-mounted spraying on nearly 30 city streets. Worcester remained at a moderate risk level, and no human cases had been reported when city officials announced the latest finding. Read more
Indian Lake remains closed over cyanobacteria
Worcester closed Indian Lake after testing found cyanobacteria above the state’s recreational public-health threshold. Residents were warned not to swim, fish or boat in the lake and to keep pets out because elevated cyanobacteria may produce toxins harmful to people and animals. The closure is to remain in place until testing shows concentrations have fallen to safe levels. Read more
Rucker Investments expands leadership team
Rucker Investments named Matt Barr chief revenue officer and promoted two longtime executives as the Worcester-based private investment firm continues growing its portfolio. Jennifer Barys, a founding member of the company, was promoted to chief financial officer, while Joseph Morales became senior vice president and general counsel. Founded by Worcester businessman Cliff Rucker in 2018, the firm has investments spanning private equity, real estate, sports, entertainment and hospitality. Read more
Italian food, Pride royalty and Latin rhythms fill the weekend
The Original Italian Festival anchors a busy Worcester weekend with four days of food and entertainment, while the Pride Worcester Pageant takes over the JMAC Saturday night. The city’s first Latin American Rhythm on the Common also joins the lineup, along with family events featuring wildlife and flamenco. The Pride pageant’s “Once Upon a Time” theme will crown Worcester’s next Pride Majesties through performance, fashion and personality. Read more
Have a story tip, community concern, or insight to share? Email Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org.
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