In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition – January 8, 2021 – a food service delivery start-up trying to tackle food insecurity in Worcester needs your help, you could win a trip to the Super Bowl just by giving blood, Massachusetts’ unemployment is recovering slower than half the states, the Attorney General has issued an advisory on tenants rights and MassWildlife has five tips to respectfully enjoy the outdoors.
Doughboyz is Asking for Donations for Food Truck
One of eight winners of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce’s StartUp Worcester program, Doughboyz Food Services is working hard to get off the ground in 2021.
And they’re asking for your help. They’re raising money for their “Doughcart” to help deliver food to those who face food insecurity throughout the area.
The food service company is run by WPI graduate Justin Amevor. See the link below for details.
Give Blood and Be Entered to Win a Super Bowl Experience
The American Red Cross is partnering with the NFL this month to give blood donors a chance for two tickets to the 2022 Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.
Anyone who donates blood, platelet or plasma from now through January 31, 2021, will automatically be entered to win.
The package includes two tickets to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, California, entry to the official NFL Tailgate, tickets to Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Los Angeles, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 4 to Feb. 7, 2022), plus a $500 gift card for expenses.
Donors in January will also be entered to a 65-inch television and a $500 gift card to put toward food and fun!
To be entered to win, make your appointment now.
Half of States Have Unemployment Claims Recovering Faster than MA
A new study by WalletHub.com shows the recovery of unemployment claims in Massachusetts is recovering more slowly than about half of states.
The study analyzed the week ending on January 1, and found Massachusetts was the 29th most recovered state in that week. Connecticut was the most recovered state, followed by Pennsylvania.
The state with the least recovery in the most recent week was Kansas, preceded by Colorado.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Massachusetts ranks 26th, Oregon has recovered the most since the start of the pandemic, while Iowa ranks second. The least recovered state since the start of the pandemic is Georgia.
See the full list and the methodology of the study here.
AG Issues Advisory on Tenants Rights as Evictions Rise
The eviction moratorium in Massachusetts expired on October 17. Between November 2 and December 14, more than 4,000 eviction cases were filed in Massachusetts, according to state data.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey encourages residents facing difficulties paying rent to be aware of safety new programs offered by the state and local consumer programs that help tenants and landlords apply for rental assistance.
Healey also advises tenants that evictions must be court ordered.
Tenants cannot be evicted and forced to move out of their homes without a written court order.
Tenants who have experienced a “self-help” eviction – where landlords attempt to circumvent the court process and forcibly remove tenants from their homes – or those whose landlord has threatened to forcibly remove them, should call the Attorney General’s Office at 617-727-8400.
5 Easy Actions to Respect Massachusetts Wilderness
The MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife [MassWildlife] is asking residents to commit to a resolution in the new year to respect the wilderness and leave the land cleaner than you found it.
MassWildlife provides five simple steps you can take to respectfully enjoy the outdoors:
Plan ahead- Beaches, state parks, and conservation lands might have different regulations you should be aware of like what activities are permitted on the property. Research the rules for the area you plan to visit beforehand. Respect private property and do not trespass on private land.
Pack out what you pack in – This includes food wrappers and remains, drink containers, and dog waste bags. If you’re hunting or fishing, be sure to take all equipment out with you like discarded fishing line or shotgun shells. A good goal to keep in mind is to leave an area cleaner than you found it.
Give wildlife space – Keep a reasonable distance from wildlife. Use your binoculars and spotting scope rather than your feet, to get “closer” to your subject. If you get too close to an animal, its behavior will change. It may stop feeding, look at you, vocalize, appear nervous or flee. If you note a change in behavior, back off slowly until you’re out of the animal’s “space”. Do not feed wildlife.
Respect the land – Avoid damaging plants and trees, do not carve into tree bark and be aware of where you are stepping. Follow posted signage to avoid nesting areas and vernal pools. Please stay on trails if they are available.
Be considerate of other visitors – Many people visit the wilderness to enjoy the quiet and tranquility. Remain a respectful distance away from other visitors, avoid loud noises, and follow regulations for pets.
MassWildlife owns and manages over 220,000 acres of Wildlife Management Areas and Conservation Easements that are open to hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreation.
Visit the MassWildlife Lands Viewer to customize and print maps of MassWildlife properties.
