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, March 6 –the City of Worcester has been awarded a grant for housing rehabilitation, legendary wrestlers are coming to Webster for a fundraiser, several local police departments help catch a fleeing suspect, the Worcester Research Bureau releases a report on Worcester voters and the Whitin Community Center is hosting a free kids day.
Worcester Awarded Grant for Housing Rehabilitation
The City of Worcester was one of nine Gateway Cities to receive a $275,000 Gateways Housing Rehabilitation Program grant from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.
This funding will be used specifically to address two to four unit buildings which have housing and sanitary code issues, or are at risk of losing property insurance. It will allow an additional 10-15 units that contain either sanitary or building code violations to be rehabilitated that would have otherwise not been funded strictly with HUD funding.
Legendary Wrestlers Come to Webster
Big Time Wrestling comes to Webster on Saturday night with partial ticket proceeds and all concession stand profits benefiting the Webster Police Department Community Policing Programs.
The wrestlers included in the show include Bret “The Hitman” Hart, Mouth of the South Jimmy Hart and The Boyz, Bully Ray and Spike Dudley.
The event is being held at Webster Town Hall with a meet and greet at 6 PM and the first match at 8 PM. Tickets are available at the door.
Local Police Forces Locate Fleeing Suspect
A vehicle stopped by Oxford Police at Main St. and Barton St. on Thursday led to the driver’s arrest for an outstanding warrant. While police were detaining the driver, the passenger fled the scene on foot.
Massachusetts State Police and Charlton Police established a perimeter to contain the suspect. A K9 unit from the Webster Police and a drone from the Auburn department also joined the search.
The suspect was later found hiding in the garage of a residential home.
The suspect was found with a knife, a bag of marijuana and more than $1,000 in cash.
Names of the suspects were not released.
Research Bureau Releases Report on Worcester Voters
The Worcester Regional Research Bureau has released a report analyzing the demographics of the electorate in Worcester municipal elections. The report reveals information on subjects like voter housing, average ages, “supervoters,” racial disparities and polling locations.
The findings in the report, titled “Absent Voters: Who is Voting and Not Voting (Yet) in Worcester Municipal Elections,” include:
- 63% of 2019 voters live in a single-family home, compared to 44 percent of all residents
- Voter turnout was 28% in Census tracts that were more than 80 percent white – voter turnout dropped to 10% in Census tracts that were less than 60% white
- Voter turnout was 24% in Census tracts that were less than 10%Hispanic or Latino – voter turnout dropped to 9% in Census tracts that were more than 30 percent Hispanic or Latino
- Around 29% of 2019 voters were voting in their fifth straight municipal election
- The average voter age in 2019 was 58 years old
- Residents over age 55 were 62% of the 2019 electorate, despite being only 37% of registered voters, and about 30% of voting-age Worcester residents
The report also contains maps to illustrate the geographic disparities that exist, as voter turnout trends by ward and precinct are mirrored by demographic differences across Worcester’s many neighborhoods.
Whitin Community Center to Host Kids Far
The Whitin Community Center [WCC] is hosting their annual Kids Fair & Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 10 AM to 12 PM in the WCC’s Gymnasium.
The FREE Kids Fair is brought to you by the WCC’s Blackstone Valley Children’s Place (BVCP) and Beginning Bridges CFCE. The FREE Kids Fair will include informational booths, healthy snacks, activities, Teddy Bear Clinic, giveaways, facepainting, StoryWalk and more.
For more information call 508.234.8184 or visit www.WhitinCommunityCenter.com.
