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 – Thursday, June 10 – today is the funeral for Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia, Secretary Galvin is hosting the state’s official Juneteenth celebration, BrickBox Theater at the JMAC is having karaoke night, Massachusetts is ranked as the second-safest state during the COVID-19 pandemic and Amtrak reintroduces its Rail Pass.
Funeral Details for Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia
The funeral for Worcester Police Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia will be held today at 10 AM at Saint John’s church on Temple Street in Worcester.
In case you missed it, here is the traffic and parking advisory during the services:
Parking on Temple Street is not allowed between now and 4 PM. Parking on Green St. will not be allowed from 6 AM to 5 PM.
Road Closings
Street closings will begin at 8 AM and reopen at after services conclude.
Brief effects in the following areas will occur between 9 AM and 10 AM:
- Plantation St. to Belmont St.
- Belmont St. to Lincoln Sq.
- Lincoln St. to Goldsberry St.
- MLK Jr. Boulevard to Major Taylor Blvd.
- Major Taylor Boulevard to Foster St.
The following areas will experience full shutdowns:
- Goldsberry St. to Summer St.
- Foster St. to Front St.
- Front St. to Washington Sq.
- Washington Sq. to Grafton St.
- Grafton St. to Temple St.
Brief effects in the following areas will occur from 12:30 PM until the conclusion of the private funeral procession traveling from Saint John’s Catholic Church on Temple St. to Saint John’s Cemetery on Cambridge St:
- Temple St. to Green St.
- Green St. to Kelley Sq.
- Kelly Sq. to Madison St.
- Madison St. to Southbridge St.
- Southbridge St. to Quinsigamond Ave.
- Quinsigamond Ave. to Cambridge St.
- Cambridge St. to Saint John’s Cemetery
The Worcester Police Department warns of traffic congestion urges residents to seek alternate routes. Police encourage those who plan to attend the funeral to carpool when possible and consider the following parking options.
Secretary Galvin Hosts Juneteenth Celebration
Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin hosts the Massachusetts official celebration of Juneteenth on June 19 at the Commonwealth Museum at 220 Morrissey Blvd. in Boston.
A special Commonwealth Museum exhibit entitled “Juneteenth: Enslavement to Emancipation” will begin on Wednesday, June 16th and run through the holiday. The museum, where admission is always free, will hold special visiting hours on Saturday, June 19th, from 9 AM until 4 PM.
June 19 marks the day that news of the emancipation of enslaved persons reached Texas. A new law passed last July made Juneteenth Independence Day an official Massachusetts state holiday.
The exhibit examines in broad form the institution of slavery in the Commonwealth, from its colonial origins to its eventual abolition.
Curtain Call Karaoke at the BrickBox Theater
The BrickBox Theater inside the Jean McDonough Arts Center at 20 Franklin St. in Worcester hosts Curtain Call Karaoke on Saturday, June 12, from 8 PM to midnight.
Complete with a big screen for lyrics, a full sound system and fully loaded lighting, the event is without a cover charge.
For more information or to register, visit Eventbrite and use password CCKL.
Massachusetts Ranked Second-Safest State During COVID-19 Pandemic
Around 43% of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of June 9. According to the data experts at WalletHub, some states are already safer than others based on how well they have kept the pandemic under control and how much they are vaccinating.
Among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., Massachusetts ranks second for COVID-19 safety behind only Vermont and just above California and Hawaii.
Scroll the map here to see how the Bay State compares across the country:
Save $200 on the Amtrak Relaunch of USA Rail Pass
Amtrak reintroduced USA Rail Pass, which allows multi-segment journeys across America.
The pass allows up to ten rides over 30 days across 500 destination. between now and June 22, USA Rail Pass, regularly $499, is available for $299.
USA Rail Pass allows up to 10 segments in coach class within a 30-day period beginning with the customer’s first trip and is valid for use within 120 days of pass purchase.
