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 – Tuesday, February 23 – statewide renumbering of exits continues on Route 84 next week, Family Health Center of Worcester is vaccinating its patients, Worcester Public Library’s fine-free initiative gets $10,000, gas prices up 13 cents in the last week and Dunkin’ introduces an expanded Matcha menu.
Statewide Exit Renumbering Moves to Rt 84 Next Week
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reminds commuters and travelers that the statewide exit renumbering continues and will reach Rt. 84 on or about February 28.
Crews will work from Rt. 20 interchange in Sturbridge to the Connecticut border from 8 PM to 5 AM for about a week.
Family Health Center of Worcester begins Vaccinations
The Family Health Center of Worcester is vaccinating its registered patients who are currently eligible for the vaccine, according to state eligibility rules.
Patients must eligible for vaccination in Phase 1, which includes people ages 65 and over and those with two or more high-risk factors.
Family Health Center is contacting its patients as they become eligible.
Like every vaccination provider, supplies of vaccine is limited. To find other vaccination sites visit the vaxfinder.mass.gov
Worcester Public Library Receives $10,000 for Fine Free Initiative
The Worcester Public Library Foundation [WPLF] has donated $10,000 to the Worcester Public Library’s fine free initiative.
Worcester Public Library [WPL] announced on July 21, 2020, that it would change its late fines policy while the WPLF and City of Worcester committed to working with the library to remove overdue fines, as well as support the forgiveness of all outstanding fines that were owed to WPL.
The policy change ensures equitable access of library resources to everyone in the Worcester community. The WPLF, the fundraising arm of the Worcester Public Library, made a plea to the community in a fundraising appeal stressing the importance of eliminating fines as barriers to access.
Gas Prices Up 20 Cents Since Last Month in MA
AAA Northeast, the popular not-for-profit auto club, reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
Massachusetts’s average gas price increased nine cents from last week ($2.47), averaging $2.56 per gallon. That price is the 20 cents higher than a month ago ($2.36), and seven cents cheaper than February 22, 2020 ($2.49).
Massachusetts’s average gas price is seven cents lower than the national average.
AAA Northeast’s February 22 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 13 cents higher than last week, averaging $2.63 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 24 cents higher than a month ago ($2.39), and 16 cents cheaper than this day last year ($2.47).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
Dunkin’ Expands Matcha Menu
One year after introducing Matcha Lattes, Dunkin’ is featuring more Matcha on the menu with Blueberry Matcha Latte and the new Matcha Topped Donut.
Both items are available at participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide beginning February 24.
The Blueberry Matcha Latte combines Dunkin’s sweetened Matcha green tea powder blend with blueberry flavor and guests’ choice of milk, including non-dairy alternatives like oat milk and almond milk.
The new Matcha Topped Donut features Dunkin’s signature Glazed Donut topped with Matcha powder for green tea flavor balanced with sweetness.
