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 – Friday, July 3 – there’s no delay in trash and recycling today, Bravehearts start summer season, the state’s Environmental Police will take part in a nationwide campaign over the weekend, an Anna Maria professor is nominated for a poetry award and Saint Vincent Hospital has some safety tips for the holiday.
No Trash and Recycling Days Off
The Worcester Department of Public Works is reminding residents that the holiday weekend will have no effect on trash and recycling pickup.
Pickup will occur as normal on Friday, July 3.
Drop off sites are closed on Saturday, July 4. The site located at 1065 Millbury Street will be open on Sunday, July 5, 2020 for leaf, yard waste and household recycling drop-off as well as compost pickup.
See more info on the city’s website.
Bravehearts Blanked in Opener
The defending Futures League Champion Worcester Bravehearts opened their season in New Britain, CT on Thursday, July 2, after months of delay due to COVID-19.
Starting on the road against the first year New Britain Bees, the Bravehearts never got their bats going.
Bees starter Alex Price pitched four scoreless innings and reliever Josh Vincent added 2 1/3 more scoreless.
Worcester starter Angelo Baez left after three innings and took the loss with only 4 hits allowed and one earned run.
The Bravehearts managed only four hits in the opener and went on to lose, 6-0.
The Bravehearts next travel to Nashua on Sunday, Jan 5 and will be in Worcester for the home opener on July 11.
Stay Dry on the Water
The Massachusetts Environmental Police will be taking part in Operation Dry Water over the weekend from July 3 to July 5.
Operation Dry water is a nationwide campaign addressing boating under the influence [BUI]. State and local law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Coast Guard, and recreational boating safety advocates and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators [NASBLA] are taking part in the campaign to help raise awareness and prevent tragedies related to boating under the influence.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 4,168 recreational boating accidents leading to 613 deaths nationwide in 2019. 77% of those who died were due to drowning. 84% were no wearing life jackets.
There were also 2,559 injuries and $55 million in damage to property.
Anna Maria Professor Nominated for Prestigious Award
Craig Blais’ collection of sonnets, Moon News, is U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins’ selection for the 2021 Miller Williams Poetry Series.
Blais is also an Associate Professor of English at Anna Maria College.
Blais is also the author of About Crows which won the Florida Book Award and the Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry and was a finalist for the Walt Whitman Award and National Poetry Series.
This prize is named to honor poet Miller Williams, director of the University of Arkansas Press and former professor in the University’s creative writing program. Under Williams’ leadership, the press published current editor Billy Collins’ first book The Apple that Astonished Paris in 1988.
Saint Vincent Hospital Urges Social Distancing Over the Holiday
While metrics showing the status of the COVID-19 epidemic in Massachusetts have been trending positive, many places across the county are slowing or rolling back reopening plans.
Saint Vincent Hospital is asking the public to remain mindful of social responsibility over the July 4th weekend and throughout the summer.
To best protect yourself, your loved ones and others you come in contact with, St. Vincent Hospital offers the following tips.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick – this includes those in your home who may be symptomatic. When possible, even at home, try to maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and others who live in the household.
- Maintain a safe social distance – between yourself and those outside of your home. It is important to remember that even those who are asymptomatic may be able to spread the virus to others.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others – It is mandated that everyone wear a face covering while in a public space. While wearing the face covering, maintain social distance – the face cover is not a substitution for social distancing!
- Cover coughs and sneezes – especially if you are around others and do not have your face covering on. Always try to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing or use the inside of your elbow. If you use a tissue, immediately throw used tissues in the trash and wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Clean and disinfect all frequently touched spaces daily – at home and at work. This can include tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If any surfaces are dirty, first clean them with soap and water followed by a household disinfectant.
