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WORCESTER MA AREA NEWS ALERTS
 

Winter Weather Emergency Declared in Worcester

WORCESTER – The City of Worcester declared a winter weather emergency effective at 3 PM on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Winter Storm Warning across a large part of Massachusetts that goes into effect on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 4 PM and runs through Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7 AM Tuesday. The NWS says residents should expect between 10 and 20 inches of snow with winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

The emergency declaration issued by City Mnager Eric Batista says that drivers should avoid the non-essential use of city streets as of 4 PM on Sunday, Feb. 22.

Worcester Public Schools, all Worcester Public Library branches, Worcester City Hall, and the Residential Drop-Off Center will be closed on Monday, Feb. 23.

The city announced a declared parking ban on Wednesday, Feb. 18, that remains in effect.

During the declared winter parking ban, parking is prohibited on either side of primary arteries, emergency and bus routes, and streets in the downtown area critical to the flow of traffic. On all other streets, parking is only permitted on the odd-numbered side of the street, unless otherwise posted. Find the specific restrictions on your street on the City of Worcester website.

Municipal parking garages are free of charge to any vehicle that enters until the Declared Winter Parking Ban is lifted.

The following garages are included:

  • Federal Plaza Garage – 570 Main St.
  • Pearl & Elm Garage – 20 Pearl St.
  • Worcester Common Garage – 3 Eaton Place
  • Union Station Garage – 225 Franklin St.
  • Major Taylor Blvd Garage – 30 Major Taylor Blvd.

Towing and ticketing will be enforced to keep streets clear.

For questions, residents should contact Worcester 311 by dialing 3-1-1, emailing 311@worcesterma.gov, or visiting worcesterma.gov/311.

Worcester Seeks Resident Input Future Use of Hall Inside Union Station

WORCESTER – The Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) seeks resident input as it begins its process to select a tenant for Grand Hall operations and the adjoining restaurant space at Union Station.

The current lease with Maxwell Luciano’s, which has inhabited the space for 18 years, expires on June 30.

The WRA hosts a public listening session on Wednesday, Feb. 25, on the second floor of Union Station in the Cannabis Control Commission conference room.

During the listening session, the WRA seeks feedback and ideas from community members on the best use of the space.

Community feedback will inform the request for proposal (RFP) process for the use of the space. The WRA expects to begin advertising the for RFPs in March.

Construction of Union Station was completed in 1911. Significant restoration took place from 1998 to 2000.

The Grand Hall has hosted several events, including weddings and banquets. Service to event attendees comes from the restaurant space.

Mass. Issues Tax Credits for Local Housing Projects

PITTSFIELD – Governor Maura Healey announced funding from over $145 million in tax credits and subsidies to support housing production across Massachusetts, including support for projects in Fitchburg and Worcester.

The local project received credits from the Commercial Conversion Tax Credit Initiative (CCTCI), a program created in the Affordable Homes Act signed into law in August 2024. CCTCI supports the conversion of empty or rundown commercial buildings into new homes.

The governor announced $8.4 million in CCTCI tax credits, including $3.6 million for 198 rental units at One Chestnut Place in Worcester, the former headquarters of Fallon Heath, at 22 Elm Street.

The Main Street Lofts @ 280 project in Fitchburg, with 35 rental units, received nearly $1.3 million in tax credits.

“Too many downtown buildings across Massachusetts are sitting dark and empty when they could be part of the solution to our housing shortage,” said Healey. “The Affordable Homes Act gave us new tools to move faster and smarter, and this first round of Commercial Conversion tax credits will help turn under-used commercial properties into homes, bring new energy to our downtowns and lower housing costs for residents.

The governor also announced $139.5 million in Affordable Housing awards, which include grants and tax credits to support 15 projects across the state.

None of those projects are in Worcester County.


Image Credit: Google

Declared Parking Ban Begins Feb. 18 1 PM in Worcester

WORCESTER – A declared winter parking ban in Worcester goes into effect at 1 PM on Wednesday, Jan. 18. The National Weather Service (NWS) reports a potential snowfall of two to four inches between Wednesday at 1 PM to Thursday at 4 AM.

During the Declared Winter Parking Ban, parking is prohibited on either side of primary arteries, emergency and bus routes, and streets in the downtown area critical to the flow of traffic. On all other streets, parking is only permitted on the odd numbered side of the street, unless otherwise posted. Find the specific restrictions on your street at the City of Worcester website.

Municipal parking garages are free of charge to any vehicle that enters until the Declared Winter Parking Ban is lifted.

The following garages are included:

  • Federal Plaza Garage – 570 Main St.
  • Pearl & Elm Garage – 20 Pearl St.
  • Worcester Common Garage – 3 Eaton Place
  • Union Station Garage – 225 Franklin St.
  • Major Taylor Blvd Garage – 30 Major Taylor Blvd.

Towing and ticketing will be enforced to keep streets clear.

For questions, residents should contact Worcester 311 by dialing 3-1-1, emailing 311@worcesterma.gov, or visiting worcesterma.gov/311.

Worcester Fire Fighters Union Announces Death of Capt. Jason Couture, 51

WORCESTER – The Worcester Fire Fighters Local 1009 announced the death of Worcester Fire Department Captain Jason Couture on Monday, Feb. 16. He was 51 years old.

Couture is survived by his wife, Michelle, two sons, three grandchildren, and both his parents.

Couture died at Mass General Hospital on Thursday, Feb. 12, surrounded by family. The union and obituaries did not provide a cause of death.

Born in Worcester, Couture graduated from Burncoat Senior High School before joining the United States Navy. He later earned a bachelor’s degree at Becker College.

Couture served within the Worcester Fire Department, first at the Greendale Fire Station, then at Park Avenue and Webster Square. He was most recently assigned to the Franklin Street Fire Station as the captain of Ladder One, Group Two.

There will be no calling hours. The funeral service, scheduled for Feb. 25 at 11 AM, will be held at St. John’s Church, 44 Temple St. in Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Couture/Mateychuk Scholarship Fundraiser at the Worcester Fire Department Credit Union, 34 Glennie St., Worcester, MA 01605.

Worcester Sex Offender Sentenced for Child Sex Abuse Content

BOSTON – A federal judge sentenced a local man, a registered sex offender, to over a decade in prison for possession of files depicting child sexual abuse material.

Andres DeJesus, 66, of Worcester, travelled to the Dominican Republic, where the country refused to admit him because of his sex offender status. He returned to the United States at Logan Airport in Boston.

According to federal prosecutors, while at Logan Airport, a search of DeJesus’ luggage revealed many articles of children’s clothing and a large amount of chocolate and sweets. A search of his phone found three videos containing child sexual abuse material.

A later forensic search DeJesus’ phone led to the discovery of over 600 images of additional material depicting child sex abuse.

In Middlesex County in 2010, DeJesus was found guilty in Superior Court of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, possession of child pornography and posing or exhibiting a child in a sexual act. He received a sentence of eight years in state prison.

On Feb. 4, United States District Judge Richard G. Stearns sentenced DeJesus to 12 years in prison, and five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in Oct. 025.

 

 

Worcester Police Seek Man for Questioning in $15,000 Theft

WORCESTER – The Worcester Police Department is asking for help from the public to identify a man wanted for questioning in connection with the theft of around $15,000 in goods from a local store.

According to the department, the theft took place last week at Sweet Jane’s Designer Consignment, at 120 Main St. in Worcester.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the police through one of the following methods:

  • Send an anonymous text to 274637 TIPWPD + your message
  • Send an anonymous web-based message at worcesterma.gov/police
  • Call the Worcester Police Detective Bureau at (508) 799-8651

See the Neighborhood Meetings This Week in Worcester

WORCESTER – The Worcester Police Department is encouraging residents to attend their neighborhood watch meetings to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in their neighborhoods and to share any concerns or questions they may have. Representatives from the city also regularly attend these neighborhood meetings.

There are over 50 Neighborhood Watch Groups in Worcester. Meetings are held regularly — often once a month in various locations in the city.

Contact the Worcester Police Department’s Neighborhood Response Team at (508) 799-8664 for more information.

Here are the neighborhood meetings this week in Worcester.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

  • Indian Lake Neighborhood Meeting, Worcester Business Center, 67 Millbrook St. – 6 PM

Thursday, Feb. 19

  • Mill Street Area Neighborhood Meeting, Stearns Tavern, 140 Mill St. – 6 PM