Fatal shooting on Southbridge Street leaves one dead, another critically injured
A man was killed and another was critically injured in a shooting early Sunday near 350 Southbridge St. Worcester police responded to two ShotSpotter alerts at approximately 2:06 a.m. Oct. 11 and found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were transported to a hospital in critical condition, where one later died, and police announced an investigation Tuesday. Read more
Third school realignment proposal introduces flexible enrollment zones
Worcester Public Schools’ latest realignment proposal raises questions about whether the district can provide prekindergarten classrooms in every elementary school, as earlier drafts envisioned. During an Oct. 13 committee discussion, consultant Nick Stellitano acknowledged that approximately three elementary schools lack sufficient space for pre-K classrooms. The third draft also introduces flexible enrollment zones that could allow the district to assign incoming students according to available building capacity, while proposing that McGrath Elementary students advance to Forest Grove Middle School and eventually Burncoat High School. Read more
Worcester outlines snow removal upgrades ahead of winter
Earlier city council meeting time draws mixed reactions
Public Works Commissioner John Westerling told city councilors Tuesday that Worcester is adding snow removal equipment, employees and technology following a difficult winter. The planned improvements include seven six-wheel dump trucks with wing plows, four sidewalk machines, additional loaders and an expanded road-brining fleet, along with new drivers and mechanics. GPS-based software is expected to help track contractors’ routes and identify streets that have been missed, although some councilors questioned whether the changes would produce better results once winter arrives. Read more
A proposal to move Worcester City Council meetings to 5:30 p.m. drew disagreement Tuesday over whether an earlier start would make meetings more efficient or discourage public participation. Councilor Jose Rivera proposed the change to help the council finish its work before late-night deadlines, while Vice Chairman Khrystian King argued that an earlier start could create difficulties for residents managing work, transportation and child care. Councilor Gary Rosen suggested also considering a 6 p.m. start, and the proposal was referred to the Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee for further review. Read more
Worcester father of three killed in Boston collision
Ilir Janko Melka, 48, of Worcester, was killed Sunday afternoon when another vehicle crossed a median on the Arborway in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood and struck his SUV. Melka was pronounced dead at the scene following the Oct. 11 collision, which occurred shortly after 2 p.m. The other driver, an 18-year-old man, was hospitalized, and authorities opened a criminal investigation into the crash as Melka’s family mourned the loss of a father of three. Read more
Peppercorn’s changing hands after nearly three decades
Tom Oliveri is retiring after 29 years operating Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern and selling the Park Avenue restaurant to former employee Joe Kaplan and his family. The new ownership group will also include Peppercorn’s longtime general manager, Cathleen, and head chef, Marcos, who are already familiar with the restaurant’s operations. Oliveri said customers can expect the same staff, menu and atmosphere at the 455 Park Ave. establishment, although the sale price and expected closing date have not been disclosed. Read more
Worcester earns top spot in study of cities for single mothers
Worcester ranked first among U.S. metropolitan areas examined in a 2026 study by SingleMothersGrants.org evaluating affordability and family resources for single mothers. The analysis considered nine measures, including rent burden, child care costs and availability, transportation, employment, public safety, health care and education, placing Worcester ahead of Minneapolis-St. Paul and Omaha. Researchers identified education and child care availability as relative strengths, although much of the underlying data came from 2023 and 2024 and may not reflect current conditions. Read more
New half marathon brings runners back to Worcester
The United Way of Central Massachusetts is launching The Mass Half, a 13.1-mile race scheduled for April 4, 2027, with Polar Park serving as both the starting and finishing point. The event will bring a half marathon back to Worcester after more than a decade and is intended to raise money for local nonprofit organizations. Registration is open, and organizers hope to attract thousands of runners, spectators and volunteers while developing a charity bib program benefiting selected United Way partners. Read more
Worcester recovery forum stresses housing and employment
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. brought addiction recovery advocates together Wednesday for the Prevention and Support Network’s annual gathering. The Oct. 14 event featured Dr. Stephen Loyd of Cedar Recovery and Troy Sandifer, founder of H.U.S.T.L.E. Recovery, who discussed the importance of stable housing, employment and support systems after addiction treatment. Both speakers drew on personal experiences with addiction and recovery while describing approaches that connect people with services beyond medical treatment alone. Read more
Community foundation awards scholarships to 488 students
The Greater Worcester Community Foundation is providing scholarship assistance to 488 students this year, including 247 new recipients and 241 students receiving continued support through renewable awards. Worcester Polytechnic Institute student Michael Sobolewski received a $104,000 Becker Scholarship, the largest individual scholarship in the foundation’s history. The program also awarded financial assistance to students attending Assumption University and other colleges, with support drawn from approximately 150 scholarship funds established by donors. Read more
Ten local ventures join StartUp Worcester program
Ten Central Massachusetts businesses and organizations have been selected for the 2026-27 StartUp Worcester program, now entering its 12th year. The new cohort includes ventures focused on transportation for veterans and seniors, health insurance assistance for freelance artists, artisan bread, technology, legal services, youth development and other industries. Operated by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and WorcLab, the program provides coworking space, mentorship, networking and business development resources to help entrepreneurs launch and expand their operations. Read more
Housing crisis takes center stage at Worcester business conference
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll was scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Game Changers Business Conference & Expo on Friday, Oct. 9. The daylong gathering at Mechanics Hall was organized around housing production, affordability and availability, with state officials, developers and business leaders invited to examine the challenges facing Massachusetts. The conference came as Worcester continued planning and constructing thousands of housing units while demand for homes remained a concern for employers and residents. Read more
Worcester attorney among five Bowditch partners recognized nationally
Worcester resident Lynette Paczkowski and four fellow Bowditch partners have been named to Lawdragon’s 2027 list of 500 Leading Family Lawyers in America. Paczkowski, Ronald P. Barriere, Elizabeth G. Crowley, Robin M. Lynch Nardone and Francine Gardikas were recognized for work involving divorce, custody disputes, complex financial matters and other family law issues. All five attorneys have appeared on the national list in previous years, according to the firm, with Paczkowski representing clients in trial and appellate courts across Massachusetts. Read more
Italian heritage celebration returns to Shrewsbury Street
Worcester’s Italian Heritage Parade was scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11, with a noon procession from Belmont Street along Shrewsbury Street to Washington Square. Organizers also planned an expanded festival at Cristoforo Colombo Park, commonly known as East Park, featuring food, vendors, music, children’s activities and a morning soccer tournament. Robert “Gus” Giordano, owner and operator of Maxwell Silverman’s Luciano’s Restaurant at Union Station, was named grand marshal of the free celebration. Read more
Worcester leaf collection begins Nov. 2
Worcester’s annual fall leaf collection program will begin Monday, Nov. 2, with crews expected to spend four to five weeks clearing leaves from neighborhood streets. Collection will follow the city’s regular trash routes, starting with streets assigned to Wednesday trash pickup. Temporary parking restrictions will take effect on scheduled streets, and residents can also bring leaves to three municipal disposal locations. Read more
Burncoat runners build winning season through teamwork
Burncoat High School’s boys cross-country team entered a recent Central Massachusetts Athletic Conference tri-meet with a 5-1 record as the Patriots continued making progress this fall. Both the boys’ and girls’ programs have benefited from a growing group of distance runners who train together and encourage one another through practices and competition. The teams have emphasized personal improvement, friendships and consistent effort alongside race results as their seasons develop. Read more
Railers enter new season with familiar roster and new affiliate
The Worcester Railers open their ninth ECHL season Saturday at the DCU Center with a familiar coaching staff and several returning players but uncertainty surrounding their new American Hockey League affiliation. The Springfield Thunderbirds replace Bridgeport as Worcester’s AHL partner, creating questions about how much additional player support the Railers will receive during the season. Goaltender Parker Gahagen is among the players arriving through the new affiliation as Worcester attempts to return to the playoffs after a lengthy postseason drought. Read more
Alaska native Cam McDonald brings defensive strength to Railers
Railers defenseman Cam McDonald returns for the 2026-27 season after finishing last year with a plus-9 rating, the best among Worcester’s defenders. McDonald grew up playing hockey in Alaska, where outdoor games sometimes meant temperatures far below zero, before pursuing his professional career. He brings a defense-first approach to Worcester’s lineup while working toward his goal of reaching the American Hockey League. Read more
Fleetwood Mac, space science and Halloween events fill weekend
Worcester’s weekend lineup includes a Fleetwood Mac tribute concert by Tusk at the Hanover Theatre and a special EcoTarium event celebrating the museum’s connection with the International Space Station. The Dillinger Escape Plan brings heavy music to the Palladium, while Polar Park hosts Halloween festivities. A downtown ghost-themed scavenger hunt offers another option for families and visitors looking for seasonal entertainment. Read more
