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5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester – April 20

By TWIW Staff | April 20, 2021
Last Updated: April 20, 2021

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, April 20 – the Worcester Red Sox take part in Minor League Baseball’s season-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino culture, the ramp from I-190 south to I-290 E ramp will be closed on Thursday night, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce launches an advertising campaign across New England, Dunkin’ celebrates National Cold Brew Day today and gas prices in Massachusetts stay the same for the second straight week.

WooSox to Participate in Minor League’s Season-Long Celebration of Latino Culture

The Worcester Red Sox will take part in Minor League Baseball’s season-long celebration of the culture and of Hispanic and Latino communities called “Copa de la Diversión,” or “Fun Cup.”

The WooSox will change their name to  “Los Wepas de Worcester” during select games during the 2021 season.

The games in which the team is expected to wear Los Wepas caps and jerseys are listed below:

  • Sunday, June 6 at 1:05 pm vs. Rochester
  • Tuesday, July 27 at 6:35 pm vs. Buffalo
  • Sunday, August 1 at 1:05 pm vs. Buffalo
  • Friday, August 13 at 6:35 pm vs.Syracuse
  • Saturday, August 14 at 4:05 pm vs. Syracuse
  • Wednesday, August 18 at 6:35 pm vs.Scranton/WB
  • Tuesday, September 7 at 6:35 pm vs. Lehigh Valley

The concept of naming the team after the popular phrase, “¡Wepa!” came from Worcester resident Daniel Velazquez at a WooSox Fan Plan Meeting on February 13, 2020 at Centro Inc. in Worcester.

Velazquez will be honored with a Ceremonial First Pitch prior to the first Los Wepas de Worcester game set to take place at Polar Park on Sunday, June 6 at 1:05 PM vs. the Rochester Red Wings.

 

I-190 S to I-290 E Closed Thursday Night

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation [MassDOT] announces the temporary overnight closure of the Interstate 190 southbound ramp to Interstate 290 eastbound in Worcester starting Thursday, April 22.

The ramp will be closed until Friday, April 23, at 4 AM, for routine bridge operations.

Detours will direct drivers to take I-290 westbound to exit 20 [Lincoln Street] in order to reverse direction to I-290 eastbound during the bridge operations.

MassDOT encourages drivers to seek alternate routes, reduce speed and use caution while approaching and traveling through the work zone.

 

Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Launches TV Campaign

The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce launched an advertising campaign scheduled for the better part of the next month across the New England.

The campaign includes a TV commercial which dubs Worcester “The place to visit, to invest, and to call home.”

The 30-second commercial will run on a number of stations in the Boston-Manchester-Worcester, Providence, and Springfield markets. Shortened versions, including a 15-second commercial, will also air.

The decision to produce a TV commercial was initially made because of the Chamber’s position as an official founding partner of the Worcester Red Sox. Through that partnership, the 30-second slot will air on New England Sports Network (NESN) when the Triple-A affiliate team’s inaugural season games are being broadcast.

YouTube video

 

Dunkin’ Celebrates National Cold Brew Day

On Tuesday, April 20, Dunkin’ is pouring 5X points on all Cold Brew purchases for DD Perks® members*. With 5X points, DD Perks members will earn 25 points per dollar spent, rather than five, so coffee lovers can earn points towards sipping a free Cold Brew five times as fast.

DD Perks members across Massachusetts and New Hampshire can still score any medium-sized Cold Brew or Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam for only $3 until April 27.

Dunkin’ guests who are not yet DD Perks members can join in on the National Cold Brew Day festivities by enrolling in DD Perks for free on the Dunkin’ App or at DDPerks.com.

 

Gas Prices Stay the Same This Week in MA

For the second week in a row, Massachusetts’ average gas price stayed the same week over week, averaging $2.74 per gallon. That price is the two cents lower than a month ago ($2.76), and 77 cents higher than April 19, 2020 ($2.00).

According to AAA Northeast, Massachusetts’ average gas price is 13 cents lower than the national average.

AAA Northeast’s April 19 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 1 cents higher than last week, averaging $2.87 a gallon. Today’s national average price is one cent lower than a month ago ($2.88), and $1.06 higher than this day last year ($1.81).

Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:

Region Current Price One Week Ago One Month Ago One Year Ago
Massachusetts $2.74 $2.74 $2.76 $1.97
Rhode Island $2.77 $2.77 $2.79 $1.97
Connecticut $2.88 $2.88 $2.90 $1.98

 

 

Image credit: Worcester Red Sox/Twitter

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