Barre, MA Local News and More

Mortgage Lender Sues Owners of Shuttered Worcester O'Connor's Over $82K in Taxes

The owners of Worcester's shuttered O'Connor's Restaurant & Bar are facing a new lawsuit from a mortgage lender, which alleges they owe $82,000 in city taxes and have not done enough to find a buyer for the long-closed Irish pub. The lawsuit, reported Monday by the Worcester Telegram, targets the...

Worcester, MA · 1d

familydestinationsguide.com

Step Into This Massachusetts Arcade And Relive Your Glory Days One Quarter At A Time

Nobody warned you that a trip to Leominster, Massachusetts would make you feel ten years old again, but here we are. Retro Knights Arcade has that effect on people, and it works on absolutely everyone, regardless of age, gaming experience, or how long it’s been since you last held a joystick.

Leominster, MA · 1d

The Gardner News

$4,000 gift boosts scholarships for veterans at MWCC

A $4,000 donation from Vietnam Veterans of America Local Chapter 907 will support scholarships for veteran students attending Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner. The contribution continues the organization's longtime support of the MWCC Veterans Scholarship, according to a community announcement. The scholarship provides financial assistance to students who served in the armed forces as they pursue education and career goals. "We are incredibly grateful to the Vietnam Veterans of America and its local chapters for their continued commitment to our students," MWCC President James Vander Hooven said. "Their generosity recognizes the sacrifices made by our veterans and helps ensure they have access to the educational opportunities and resources they need to build successful futures." Veterans group continues support for MWCC students Representatives from Vietnam Veterans of America joined MWCC leaders for the annual scholarship presentation. Attendees included Jim Benton, vice president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Massachusetts State Council and former president of VVA Local Chapter 907; John Durling, VVA Chapter 907 vice president; Charles Hodgkinson, VVA Local Chapter 907 president, and his wife Michelle; and Ed LaFord, VVA Chapter 340 president. Robert Mayer, MWCC director of Veterans Services, also represented the college. The VVA and its local

Gardner, MA · 1d

theworcesterguardian.org

Worcester council presses for action on homelessness commission, street trees

WORCESTER—After a two-week recess, the Worcester City Council returned Tuesday to confront a long-dormant commission on homelessness, a backlog of street tree maintenance and growing concerns about reckless e-bike riding on city streets. The discussions highlighted questions about the city’s ability to follow through on existing policies, from filling...

Worcester, MA · 11h

The Gardner News

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Schedule and predictions for Gardner-area non-playoff football

It's another week of football for Gardner-area teams. All six programs are now playing non-playoff games until they compete in the ultimate game of the season: Thanksgiving. Gardner and Oakmont both took on top-seeded teams of their divisions last week in the Round of 16. Gardner fell to Cohasset in the Division 7 playoffs and Oakmont lost to Shawsheen Tech in Div. 5. Though not the ending they wanted, both teams had the goal of qualifying for playoffs after not making it last season, so accomplishing that is a highlight for each. Check out the local matchups for this week as teams look to finish strong and stay sharp before Thanksgiving games. Thursday, Nov. 12 Quabbin at Mahar, 6 p.m. After struggling with numbers late in the season and having to forfeit the last two regular season games, Quabbin returned last week to defeat Southbridge 18-6. Senior quarterback Zakk Mielnicki had a strong game, rushing for a touchdown and connecting with Gabe Houle on a 25-yard TD pass. This week they match up against Mahar, which is 4-5. The teams' one common opponent has been Quaboag, which they both defeated earlier this season. Cait's Call: Quabbin over Mahar Friday, Nov.

Gardner, MA · 8h

Willow and Hearth

Seniors Trying To Downsize In Central Massachusetts Are Fighting Younger Buyers For Scarce Starter Homes While 10,000 Elderly Applicants Wait Years For Housing

Plenty of older homeowners dream of trading a big house for something smaller, simpler and easier on the budget. In Central Massachusetts, though, they are running into a problem: so […]

theworcesterguardian.org

Twenty years later, QCC basketball brotherhood still going strong

It all started in the summer of 2005 when new Quinsigamond Community College basketball coach Jon Winer rolled up to the Great Brook Valley public housing complex in a button-down, collared shirt and what Maurice “Mo” Horton could only describe as “church” pants. Perhaps visually out...

The Gardner News

Festival of Trees returns to Gardner Museum Nov. 11

The Gardner Museum's Festival of Trees returns Nov. 11 with decorated trees, raffles and a seasonal exhibit at 28 Pearl St. in Gardner. The annual event runs through Dec. 5, according to a community announcement. The 2026 Festival of Trees Flyer lists hours of 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1-7 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors can buy raffle tickets during the Festival of Trees, with ticket sales ending at 2 p.m. on the final date and the drawing beginning at 3 p.m., according to the event flyer. Cash or check will be accepted. Veterans and members of police and fire departments also can enter a Veterans' Appreciation Door Prize drawing for a festive gift basket. That drawing is scheduled for Nov. 15, according to the announcement. Visitors also can see the museum's vintage toy display during the festival. The flyer identifies the seasonal exhibit as "Toys Past and Present." Winter coat drive will benefit Gardner families The museum is also collecting donations for its annual Winter Coat Drive during the festival. Collection boxes are in the Lower Lobby, which can be accessed from the parking lot, according to the announcement. Donations being accepted include gently

Gardner, MA · 2d

takemetotn.com

Multiple Floors Of Science And Surprises Await At This Budget-Friendly Massachusetts Museum

Watching river otters eat breakfast is already enough to get me interested. Finding out there is also a little train chugging around the grounds makes this place feel even more fun. This Massachusetts museum mixes several floors of hands on science exhibits with a big outdoor campus. Inside, kids can...

Worcester, MA · 1d

worcestermag.com

Get set to party like it's Studio 54 as Vice bar gets set to open

According to co-owner Andrew Lapin, the new Vice gay bar at 27 Pleasant St. is on track to open in November. The plan is for the bar to open soon with a party themed after famed 1970s nightclub Studio 54. In other news, Femme Bar is set to move from...

radioworcester.com

Flu Activity Is Rising Early. Dr. George Abraham Explains What to Watch For

Worcester, MA –Flu activity was higher than usual for late October, and flu-related hospitalizations were rising nationally, according to the CDC’s Nov. 6 report. Dr. George Abraham, chief of medicine at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, joined Radio Worcester to explain who was most at risk of complications and which symptoms warranted medical care. The CDC’s preliminary national severity assessment remained low across all age groups.

Worcester, MA · 1d

moderncampground.com

Pine Acres Fundraising Campaign Supports Three Local Food Pantries

Pine Acres Family Camping Resort raised $19,364 for three local food pantries in Massachusetts through its 2026 seasonal fundraising campaign, with the campground matching contributions from campers and staff dollar for dollar. The Oakham, Massachusetts, campground selected the Worcester County Food Bank as its charity partner for the 2026 camping...

Oakham, MA · 2d

theworcesterguardian.org

Worcester opens $7.4 million funding round for housing, parks and historic preservation

Got an idea for saving a historic Worcester building, improving a neighborhood park or expanding housing opportunities? The city has more than $7.4 million available for projects that could help make those plans a reality. Worcester’s Community Preservation Committee has opened its fall 2026 funding round, inviting applications for projects...

Worcester, MA · 11h

Amusing Planet

The Valley Falls Train Collision

On the morning of August 12, 1853, a passenger train carrying hundreds of holidaymakers was making its way from Massachusetts towards the beaches of Rhode Island. The journey was supposed to be a pleasant excursion, but somewhere along the Providence and Worcester Railroad, a seemingly insignificant delay would turn the outing into a catastrophe. In the space of a few moments, two passenger trains collided head-on, crushing wooden carriages, mangling locomotives and killing fourteen people.

Providence, RI · 1d

theworcesterguardian.org

This Is Worcester: A Wall With Attitude

A larger-than-life mural brings a burst of color and imagination to the exterior of Worcester Dual Language Magnet School at 525 Chandler St. Photographed by Antonio Pastor, the artwork features a dramatic cast of characters, including a mechanical-looking horse, a masked figure and a fantastical creature, all set against a brilliant yellow background.

The Gardner News

Holiday Craft Fair brings food, gifts and more to Fitchburg

Sizer School's fourth annual Holiday Craft Fair will bring more than 50 vendors, food, gifts and a fundraising effort for student activities to Fitchburg on Nov. 14. The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sizer School, 500 Rindge Road, according to a community announcement. Vendors will be spread across two floors, with offerings including homemade chocolates, gluten-free bakery items, earrings, candles and comics. The fair is organized by Sizer School's Student Ambassadors and raises money for their student activities fund. “We have roughly 300 to 350 families attending Sizer each year,” said Lindsay Alweiss, Student Ambassador Advisor. “Our student leaders host events and activities all year long at NO COST to students. All students. Price tags and fees should not be barriers keeping students from joining in on all of the fun - and we have a lot of it.” Alweiss said fundraising makes those activities possible and called the Craft Fair the group's biggest event of the year. Admission is free, though students will collect donations at the door. Parking and Vendor Bingo at the Sizer School Craft Fair Parking will be available on site or across the rotary at Seven Hills. The Sizer

Fitchburg, MA · 2d

worcestermag.com