David Webb convicted of trespassing in drone case
Worcester activist David T. Webb was convicted of trespassing after a judge found that flying a drone over City Hall property violated a no-trespass order even though Webb himself remained outside the restricted area. Judge Michael Welsh acquitted Webb of disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace and sentenced him to 30 days, time served. Webb’s attorney said he plans to appeal the conviction, while separate charges stemming from a June drone incident at Polar Park remain pending. Read more
Worcester World Cup celebrates 20 years
The Worcester World Cup begins its 20th anniversary celebration Friday with five days of soccer spread across two weekends at Foley Stadium. Sixteen men’s teams and four women’s teams representing nations from Ghana and Haiti to Italy, Afghanistan and Guatemala are competing, with defending champions Liberia and Italy looking to add to their title counts. Organized by Cultural Exchange Through Soccer, the tournament was created to bring Worcester’s immigrant communities together through competition, food, culture and the international language of soccer. Read more
Halligan’s gets an unexpected second act
Halligan’s Bar in Auburn is staying open after all, less than two weeks after its owners announced plans to close the longtime live music venue in December. Dan Raymond and Mike and Katie Langway, owners of Day’s End Tavern in Oxford, will take over Jan. 1, with the existing staff, band schedule and longtime booker Trina Bertel expected to remain in place. The current owners, who are retiring after an 11-year run, still marks the end of their tenure Dec. 12, but the celebration is no longer the venue’s final night. Read more
Worcester weighs a citywide fiber network
Worcester is asking broadband providers and technology experts for ideas as officials explore the possibility of creating a citywide fiber-optic network. The city issued a request for information seeking input on infrastructure, network operations, digital inclusion, emerging technologies and potential public-private partnerships. Responses are due Sept. 2, and city officials stressed that the request is not a formal bid or commitment to move forward with construction. Read more
Summer Jam marks a decade at Crompton Park
What began as a basketball tournament with a few hundred spectators has grown into a Worcester tradition drawing thousands to Crompton Park. The Worcester Summer Jam Classic celebrates its 10th anniversary Saturday with basketball from youth showcases to a pro-am tournament, along with music, food, vendors, children’s activities and community resources. Founder Anthony Barbosa said the goal from the beginning was broader than basketball, combining sports, fashion, music and mentorship while creating a gathering rooted in Worcester. Read more
India Day, Summer Jam and island music fill the weekend
Worcester’s weekend calendar offers everything from basketball and Indian culture to tropical rock and classic American song. India Day takes over the DCU Center Saturday, the Worcester Summer Jam Classic celebrates 10 years at Crompton Park and longtime Central Massachusetts musicians gather for a WCUW benefit concert. The Island Castaways Band brings Jimmy Buffett-inspired sounds to Lake Quinsigamond Sunday, while a JMAC production imagines the concert Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland never actually performed together. Read more
National Night Out brings residents and first responders together
Residents, police officers, firefighters and community organizations gathered at Fuller Family Park Tuesday for Worcester’s annual National Night Out. The event featured games, entertainment, horse rides and other activities intended to bring residents and law enforcement together in a less formal setting. Worcester Police and the Central Community Branch YMCA organized the event with help from the Worcester Fire Department and other local organizations. Read more
Worcester landmarks land on endangered list
Preservation Worcester identified nine historic buildings and resources it says face uncertain futures, including downtown’s Commerce Building, an 18th-century tavern, three-deckers and the city’s remaining Victorian-era gas lamps. The Commerce Building at 340 Main St., built in 1891 and described as Worcester’s first true skyscraper, has been shuttered amid deferred maintenance, vandalism and deterioration. The annual list also includes a rare success: a Montague Street home once considered endangered has been restored. Read more
Worcester man sentenced in staged robbery scheme
Mitul Patel, 40, of Worcester was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty in a scheme involving staged armed robberies and fraudulent immigration applications. Prosecutors said Patel paid to pose as the victim of a robbery so he could later seek immigration benefits available to certain crime victims. A federal judge sentenced him to time served, fined him $1,000 and ordered his removal from the United States. Read more
QCC graduate finds a career tied to the moon
Christian Thompson went from considering leaving Quinsigamond Community College to helping manufacture components for spacesuits used in NASA’s Artemis II mission. A switch from engineering to advanced manufacturing led Thompson into QCC’s labs and eventually to a job at Worcester-based David Clark Company, where his work has included prototyping, robotics, laser cutting and 3D printing. Thompson completed a manufacturing engineering degree at Northeastern University this year and plans to pursue graduate studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Read more
Nativity president leaving for Emmanuel College
Thomas McKenney steps down as president of Nativity School of Worcester in September to become vice president of advancement at Emmanuel College in Boston. His tenure included a record $25 million fundraising campaign and the 2024 opening of Nativity’s Julie Power Girls Division, extending the tuition-free school’s mission to girls for the first time. Meredith Kent becomes interim president Aug. 10 while the Board of Trustees searches for a permanent successor. Read more
WPI gets $1.5 million for PFAS research
Worcester Polytechnic Institute received $1.5 million in federal funding to move technology designed to destroy PFAS chemicals closer to real-world use. Researchers say early laboratory testing has destroyed more than 99% of the compounds, commonly called “forever chemicals,” across several forms of contamination. The new funding will allow the team to expand testing and work toward applying the technology outside the laboratory. Read more
Smith Pond Beach closes over E. coli
Worcester closed Smith Pond Beach, also known as Cooks Pond, Wednesday after testing found E. coli bacteria above state water-quality standards. The city issued a public health advisory telling residents to stay out of the water until further notice. Additional testing will determine when the semi-public beach can safely reopen. Read more
Another West Nile detection prompts more spraying
Another Worcester mosquito sample tested positive for West Nile virus just days after a previous detection, prompting a new round of pesticide spraying Thursday night. Nearly 30 streets were included in the latest treatment area, with Friday set as the backup date in case of bad weather. No human cases had been reported, but Worcester remained at a moderate risk level as mosquito activity continued through the summer. Read more
Council takes another look at youth vaping
Worcester city councilors voted to bring health officials, medical professionals and youth advocates together for a closer examination of youth vaping and nicotine addiction. The action followed the Board of Health’s approval of changes to the city’s tobacco regulations and testimony raising concerns about young people’s exposure to nicotine products. The council referred the issue to its Public Health and Human Services Committee to consider whether additional city action is warranted. Read more
Nearly $500,000 goes toward fighting hunger
Greater Worcester Community Foundation is directing nearly $500,000 toward growing food needs across Worcester County. A record $229,000 was awarded to 42 organizations through the Worcester County Food Bank Fund to End Hunger, while another $250,000 will support a coordinated food transportation and distribution system in North Central Massachusetts. The funding comes as local pantries and meal programs report rising demand and organizations struggle with transportation, refrigeration and storage challenges. Read more
Troy Siebels joins Guardian as interim executive director
Troy Siebels, who led The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for two decades, has joined The Worcester Guardian as interim executive director. Siebels will focus on fundraising, donor relations, philanthropic outreach and community partnerships as the nonprofit newsroom works to broaden its financial support. Editorial operations remain separate, with Editor Charlene Arsenault continuing to lead the newsroom and oversee all journalism. Read more
Cooling centers open as heat returns
Worcester activated cooling centers Friday and Saturday as high temperatures and humidity brought another heat advisory to the city. The Worcester Senior Center, Worcester Public Library and Worcester 311 were available Friday, with the library and 311 remaining open as cooling centers Saturday. Water is being provided at each site. Read more
Indian Lake closes over cyanobacteria
Worcester closed Indian Lake Tuesday after testing found cyanobacteria above the state’s recreational public health threshold. Officials warned residents not to swim, fish or boat in the lake and to keep pets out of the water because elevated cyanobacteria can produce toxins harmful to people and animals. The closure will remain in effect until testing shows concentrations have returned to safe levels. Read more
Braiden Ward races toward WooSox record
Braiden Ward entered the WooSox’s longest homestand of the season with 50 stolen bases and within striking distance of the organization’s Triple-A record. David Hamilton set the Worcester mark with 57 steals in 2023, and Ward became just the fourth Red Sox Triple-A player since the 1930s to reach 50. Worcester began its 12-game homestand 2½ games behind Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the second-half standings, while Ward’s speed continued to strengthen his case as a possible late-season major league option. Read more
