Railers reunite with St. Louis Blues
The Worcester Railers have entered a five-year affiliation agreement with the St. Louis Blues, reconnecting the city with the NHL organization that once partnered with the Worcester IceCats. The Blues replace the New York Islanders, whose agreement with Worcester expired after last season. Railers leaders said the new partnership brings longer-term stability as the team prepares for the 2026-27 season with the Springfield Thunderbirds serving as its AHL connection.
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School Committee approves $623.8M budget
The Worcester School Committee unanimously approved a $623,811,068 budget for the coming fiscal year after nearly three hours of discussion across two public budget sessions. Committee members also debated how to shift $225,000 from instructional technology, ultimately directing most of the money toward teacher salaries and a smaller portion toward instructional materials. Later, members fielded continued concerns from parents and educators about screen time and technology use in the district’s youngest classrooms.
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Chris Zito exits WSRS after iHeart cuts
Chris Zito, the longtime local voice behind “Morning Show with Zito” on WSRS 96.1 FM, was let go as part of iHeartMedia layoffs and restructuring. His final show aired Wednesday, ending a six-year run in mornings on WSRS and nearly 15 years with the company overall. Zito, a Leicester resident, said he’ll miss reaching Central Massachusetts listeners each morning as the radio industry continues moving toward more automation and syndication.
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Worcester names first Legacy Business class
Worcester selected 24 longtime businesses for its inaugural Legacy Business Awards, recognizing restaurants, diners, repair shops, retailers and service businesses that have helped shape the city’s identity. The first class includes names such as Boulevard Diner, George’s Coney Island, That’s Entertainment, Ed Hyder’s Mediterranean Marketplace, Sneakerama, Central Shoe Repair and CC Lowell. The city received 309 nominations representing 62 eligible businesses, with honorees set to be recognized later this summer.
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Safer streets plan shows early results
Worcester officials say the city is beginning to see results from its Mobility Action Plan, with crash reductions, new crosswalks, more bike lanes and updated traffic signals. The city completed major roadway reconfigurations on Burncoat Street, Grove Street, Stafford Street and Mill Street, while adding 14 crosswalks, 13 curb extensions and 22 rapid flashing beacons over an 18-month period. Transportation officials said the early data supports the city’s safety approach, though some councilors questioned whether bike infrastructure is receiving too much attention compared with drivers’ needs.
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Tobacco hearing pushed to July
The Worcester Board of Health rescheduled its public hearing on proposed tobacco regulation changes to July 13, giving residents more time to comment. The proposal would revise rules around flavored tobacco products, retailer requirements, location restrictions, signage and enforcement. Written comments were accepted through June 26, and the board may revise the proposed regulations before taking final action.
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Playhouses support veteran families
Cornerstone Bank donated $6,000 and sent employee volunteers to Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester’s annual Operation Playhouse Build-A-Thon in Elm Park. The event brings teams together to build custom playhouses for children of veteran and military families while raising support for Habitat’s broader housing work. This year marked the ninth consecutive year Cornerstone Bank has supported the program.
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Doug Hannam Way honors Little League legacy
A portion of Mayfield Street beside Beaver Brook Park will be renamed “Doug Hannam Way” in honor of the late Douglas J. Hannam Jr. Hannam spent more than 55 years with Ted Williams Little League as a player, umpire, coach, league president and board member, and later served as District 4 Little League administrator. The city tribute recognizes his long role in shaping youth baseball and civic life in Worcester.
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Weekend picks bring Vikings, Pride and puffer fish
This week’s five things to do include the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival in Shrewsbury, the Stonewall Pride Block Party at MB Lounge and a puffer fish pottery workshop at Clayground. The roundup also features “La Machina de los Sueños” at Holy Cross and other local arts, music and community events. The weekend lineup stretches from flower crowns and Viking demonstrations to drag performances, BIPOC artists and hands-on clay work.
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Free summer meals return for Worcester youth
Worcester Public Schools is offering free meals to children and teens age 18 and younger through the Summer Eats program. The program runs from June 23 through Aug. 21 at parks, libraries and community locations across the city, with no registration, identification or paperwork required. Meals must be eaten on site, and district officials said the program helps fill the gap left when school cafeterias close for the summer.
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Free swim lessons return as pools open
Free swimming lessons are returning in Worcester through both the state’s Learn-to-Swim program and the city’s partnership with the YMCA of Central Massachusetts. DCR lessons will be offered at the Dennis F. Shine Memorial Swimming Pool, while the YMCA will provide lessons and lifeguard staffing at several city beaches and pools. The programs arrive as summer begins and public health officials continue emphasizing swimming instruction as a key tool for reducing drowning risk.
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Worcester prepares for 250th birthday celebrations
Worcester is preparing for Independence Day events tied to both the Fourth of July and the nation’s 250th anniversary. The city’s official celebration is scheduled for July 2 at East Park with food vendors, family activities, Dan Gabel and his Orchestra, Alisan Porter and fireworks. The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra’s Patriotic Pops concert follows July 3 at Institute Park, with music, fireworks and the orchestra’s 75th season of free summer concerts.
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Clark joins transfer guarantee program
Clark University joined the Massachusetts Transfer Guarantee, creating a streamlined path for eligible community college graduates to continue toward bachelor’s degrees. The program guarantees admission for qualifying students who complete associate degrees and meet academic requirements, without an application fee or admissions essay. The agreement expands options for students at nearby community colleges, including Quinsigamond Community College.
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Miss Massachusetts balances badge and crown
Worcester resident and Westborough police officer Ashlyn Mercier won the Miss Massachusetts title June 20 at the Hanover Theatre. Mercier, who previously competed in both the Miss Connecticut and Miss Massachusetts programs, will represent the state at Miss America in September. Her path to the crown included law enforcement training, graduate studies in criminal justice and a return to pageant competition after initially stepping away to focus on policing.
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Coes Reservoir treatment targets invasive plant
Worcester officials advised residents to stay out of the northern section of Coes Reservoir on June 25 while contractors applied herbicide to control Eurasian milfoil. The invasive aquatic plant can crowd out native vegetation and interfere with boating, fishing and other recreational uses. Officials said restrictions on irrigation and water use from the reservoir were expected to be lifted the following day, while recreation remained allowed in the southern section of the lake.
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Auburn man indicted in child’s death
A Worcester County grand jury indicted Steven Stuart, 35, of Auburn, on a murder charge in the death of Jayden Carlson. Stuart was previously convicted of assault and battery on a child causing serious bodily injury after Jayden was assaulted in 2012, when he was 2 years old. Prosecutors now allege Jayden’s 2017 death was directly connected to the injuries from that assault, and Stuart was ordered held without bail after arraignment in Worcester Superior Court.
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Parole denied in trooper’s 1983 killing
The Massachusetts Parole Board denied parole for Jose Colon, who is serving a life sentence for the 1983 murder of Massachusetts State Trooper George Hanna during a traffic stop in Auburn. The decision followed a parole hearing made possible by changes in state law tied to juvenile and young adult sentencing. Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. and Gov. Maura Healey both supported the denial, while Hanna’s family has continued opposing Colon’s release.
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Polar Park plans July 4 Family Fest
The WooSox will host their second Fourth of July Family Fest at Polar Park while the team is on the road in Syracuse. The event will include a Worcester Symphony Orchestra performance, “Field of Dreams” screening, sunset catch on the field, family activities, mascots and fireworks. Organizers said the event is intended to create a local Independence Day tradition regardless of whether the WooSox are playing at home.
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Webster Five adds Sutton CPA to board
Webster Five appointed Sutton accountant and entrepreneur Tracy LeMaire to its board of directors. LeMaire founded Evolve CPA Consulting and works with businesses in the cannabis industry as a consulting chief financial officer. Bank officials said her background in public accounting, consulting and small-business leadership will strengthen Webster Five’s work with local customers, businesses and nonprofits.
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Railers media director earns league honor
Worcester Railers broadcasting and media relations coordinator Tim Foley received the ECHL’s Joe Babik Award as Media/PR Director of the Year. The honor recognizes excellence in media relations and public communication across the league. Foley helped expand the Railers’ media presence during the 2025-26 season, including attention around the team’s Month of Giving campaign and community-service initiatives.
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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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