Halligan’s plans final curtain after 11 years
Halligan’s Bar has a final curtain call Dec. 12 as owners Paul Brosnihan, Trina and Gus Bertel retire after an 11-year run. The Auburn venue became a fixture in the Central Massachusetts music scene by regularly hosting local bands, cover acts and tribute performers. The owners plan to spend their final five months celebrating with patrons before a farewell event featuring live music and food on closing day.
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National Grid brings bill assistance into neighborhoods
National Grid is holding 11 customer assistance events across Worcester County through the end of July and August. Customers can receive one-on-one help with billing questions, payment plans, discount programs and overdue balances at locations in Worcester and several surrounding communities. A statewide virtual webinar covering financial assistance and bill-management options is also scheduled for Aug. 3.
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Two hospitalized after Shrewsbury Street shooting
A man and woman were shot inside Victory Cigar Bar at 56 Shrewsbury St. shortly after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Worcester police officers provided emergency medical aid before both victims were taken to a hospital, where they underwent surgery and were listed in stable condition. The suspect remained at large, but police said there was no known continuing danger to the public as the investigation continued.
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Chipotle opens on Stafford Street
Chipotle Mexican Grill opened a new restaurant at 105 Stafford St. on Worcester’s South Side. The location operates daily from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is expected to employ approximately 30 people. The opening expands the fast-casual chain’s presence in Worcester while adding another national restaurant brand to the Stafford Street corridor.
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Community Healthlink layoffs climb to 231
The number of Community Healthlink positions scheduled for elimination increased to 231 following a new state WARN filing. The latest notice covers 158 union and 73 nonunion jobs, with layoffs expected by Sept. 16 as the behavioral health provider moves toward closure. UMass Memorial Health says nearly all programs remain open while services are transferred to other Central Massachusetts organizations, but employees and advocates remain concerned about disruptions for thousands of clients.
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Police oversight debate returns to City Hall
City Manager Eric Batista’s recommendation against establishing a civilian police review board led an unusually broad City Council agenda. Councilors were also scheduled to consider Burncoat school construction funding, possible changes to parking requirements, housing policy and neighborhood petitions. Batista argued that Worcester should strengthen its existing complaint and investigative systems rather than fund and staff a separate oversight body.
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Worcester children’s hospital earns national recognition
UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center was named to Newsweek’s 2026 list of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals. It was the only Central Massachusetts hospital recognized and the only Massachusetts honoree located outside Boston. Hospitals were evaluated within eight pediatric specialties using professional recommendations, quality data, patient satisfaction and patient-reported outcomes.
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Hanover prepares for CEO transition
Three major development projects move forward
Hanover Insurance Group President and CEO Jack Roche will retire Dec. 31 after a 40-year insurance career and nearly two decades with the Worcester-based company. Richard Lavey, the company’s chief operating officer and president of Hanover Agency Markets, has been named CEO-elect. Lavey joined The Hanover in 2004 and will work with Roche during the coming months to complete the leadership transition.
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Lanterns, rockets and bluegrass fill the weekend
The Worcester Planning Board approved definitive site plans for a Grove Street shopping plaza, a Restaurant Depot at GreenTech Park and a 50-unit Providence Street apartment building. The Grove Street development will include CAVA, First Watch and five additional retail or restaurant spaces. Restaurant Depot will become GreenTech Park’s first announced tenant, while five of the Providence Street apartments will be restricted as affordable housing.
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Thousands of glowing lanterns will be launched across Elm Park during Saturday evening’s Water Lantern Festival. Other weekend choices include bluegrass quartet Big Richard at the BrickBox Theater, comedian Bob Marley at Rascals and a Worcester Public Library program examining the city’s Revolutionary-era Loyalists. The EcoTarium will also celebrate Rocket Day with model launches, building activities and space-themed programs.
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WPI podcast takes top national prize
An episode of The WPI Podcast titled “Rest Matters” won Episode of the Year at the inaugural HigherEd PodCon Awards. The episode features Assistant Professor Stacy Shaw discussing how rest affects learning, creativity, focus and long-term well-being. It was selected from more than 100 submissions by colleges and universities nationwide.
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Hall of Fame weekend centers on Chad Tracy
The WooSox returned to Polar Park for a six-game homestand against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp following the All-Star break. Former WooSox manager and current Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy was among four people selected for induction into the team’s Hall of Fame. Tracy was joined by WooSox President Charles Steinberg and posthumous honorees Mark Fidrych and Gene Zabinski.
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Skydivers raise money for vulnerable youth
Bob Cousy Pass connects legend to Holy Cross
Nonprofit leaders, legislative staff and community volunteers jumped from an airplane at 14,000 feet to support CASA Project Worcester County and Legendary Legacies. The third annual Sky’s the Limit campaign has raised more than $7,000 for the two organizations, which work with children and young adults facing instability. Participants combined the July 11 skydive with individual fundraising efforts among friends, relatives and colleagues.
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A section of the Interstate 290 bridge over Southbridge Street near Holy Cross was officially named Bob Cousy Pass. Gov. Maura Healey joined Cousy at the Hart Center for the dedication, which also included the unveiling of a monument at the bottom of College Street. The permanent designation connects the Celtics Hall of Famer to the Worcester campus where he helped Holy Cross win the 1947 national championship.
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Four-month review proposal moves to committee
School committee member Sue Mailman proposed requiring at least four months of public discussion before major curriculum, contract or policy changes reach the committee for approval. Mailman said recent debates have left families and committee members without enough time for meaningful review and feedback. Other members cautioned that a strict timeline could interfere with state funding opportunities or mandates, and the proposal was referred to the Operations and Governance Committee.
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Charlotte Sonntag takes hockey career to Sweden
Former Holy Cross forward Charlotte Sonntag signed her first professional contract with Modo Hockey of the Swedish Women’s Hockey League. Sonntag recorded 21 goals and 18 assists over four seasons and finished among the program’s leading scorers of the Hockey East era. She also became the first Holy Cross player in that era to record a hat trick and earned three selections to the Hockey East All-Academic Team.
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Allen measures first-year progress
Residents push council for independent police oversight
Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Brian Allen presented his first self-evaluation after a year leading the district. Students recorded the district’s strongest growth under its current assessment system but finished one percentage point below Allen’s reading and math benchmark targets. The district exceeded its goal for collaborative team structures, launched a future-educator pipeline and continued planning possible changes to school boundaries.
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Residents delivered approximately 80 minutes of testimony urging the City Council to establish a civilian police review board. Council Vice Chairman Khrystian King delayed debate on Batista’s recommendation against the board, saying councilors needed more time to consider the city’s findings and public comments. The matter is expected to return to the council agenda Aug. 18.
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West Nile detection prompts targeted spraying
Jury returns murder conviction in 2020 stabbing
West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes collected from a Worcester trap site. The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project scheduled targeted truck-mounted spraying for Thursday in the general area where the infected mosquitoes were found. Worcester’s public health risk remained classified as low, with no human cases reported in the city.
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A Worcester Superior Court jury convicted Benjamin Willie, 26, of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Josue Rios. Prosecutors said Rios confronted Willie while Willie was slashing vehicle tires in the Grafton Hill neighborhood on June 30, 2020. Willie was also convicted of two counts of malicious destruction of a motor vehicle and is scheduled to be sentenced July 28.
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Batista rejects separate civilian review board
City Manager Eric Batista recommended that Worcester not establish a separate civilian review board for police complaints. He argued that the city already performs many civilian oversight functions through its diversity, equity and inclusion office and should continue strengthening that system. A coalition of community organizations and former Human Rights Commission leaders urged councilors to reject the recommendation and create an independent board with subpoena powers.
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Charlton officer promoted to captain
Adam Richard of Charlton was promoted to captain at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction. Richard joined the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office in 2011 and previously served as a sergeant and lieutenant. He will supervise correctional and civilian staff, oversee daily jail operations and continue serving with the office’s Special Operations Group.
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Railers add four more to growing roster
The Worcester Railers signed Matt DeMelis, MacAuley Carson, Dalton Duhart and newcomer Matthew Hobbs for the 2026-27 season. Worcester now has 14 skaters under contract as it builds a veteran core in pursuit of its first playoff berth since 2018. The group includes several returning players with deep Worcester experience, although the team had not yet announced a goaltender signing.
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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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