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 26 – donate to the GoFundMe set up by the family of a recent pedestrian crash on Stafford Street, Clark University set to break ground on a new building for its computer science and other departments, Worcester holds a Youth Vaccination Awards ceremony on Wednesday, the State Fire Marshall issues a warning on the use of sky lanterns and gas prices go up six cents across Massachusetts.
Donate to Victims of Stafford Street Pedestrian Crash
The family of the victims of a pedestrian crash on Stafford Street have started a fundraiser on GoFundMe.
According to the fundraiser page, Mabel Brenya-Asare, the sister and aunt of the victims, created the fundraiser. It reports that her sister, Asha, has extensive leg injuries. Asha’s 5-year-old daughter, Candice, is in intensive care.
As of Tuesday morning, the fundraiser has raised over $9,200 since its launch. To contribute, click the button below.
Clark University to Break Ground on Technology Building
Clark University will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, April 28, for its Center for Media Arts, Computing, and Design.
The new center, expected to open in Fall 2023, will become home to the Department of Computer Science, the Becker School of Design & Technology, and programs within the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.
The building will feature a multimedia gallery, an augmented reality/virtual reality lab, video game library for researching interactive media and playing games, a makerspace, incubator space, robotics lab, and a data science lab. It will also include new labs, teaching spaces, faculty offices, and collaboration spaces.
Ayers Saint Gross, an employee-owned design firm from Baltimore, MD, is designing the building.
Worcester to Hold Youth Vaccination Awards Ceremony
The City of Worcester will hold a Youth Vaccination Award Ceremony on Wednesday, April 27, at City Hall.
To support the City of Worcester’s vaccination efforts, four organizations — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, United Way of Central MA, Bay State Savings Bank, and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation — provided scholarships to incentivize and increase vaccination rates for youth between ages 5 and 17.
One youth winner was chosen from the February vacation week vaccine clinics, and three more were chosen from Worcester Public Schools clinics in March and April. Each youth received a $3,000 scholarship to be used for higher education or training in colleges or trade schools.
Fire Marshall Warns on Sky Lanterns
A fire on the roof of Leominster High School this month started with a sky lantern, prompting a reminder from Leominster Fire Chief Robert A. Sideleau II and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey that these items are prohibited by the Massachusetts State Fire Code.
“Incidents like this one are a perfect example of why sky lanterns are dangerous,” said Chief Sideleau. “An open flame floating uncontrolled and out of reach can have devastating consequences for people and property. Under different circumstances, this could have been a life-threatening fire.”
“Once a sky lantern is lit and airborne, there’s no controlling where it might land or what it might set on fire,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “The State Fire Code prohibits their use in Massachusetts, and their sale may violate the Consumer Protection Act. For safety’s sake, please don’t use them, and call us if you see them offered for sale.”
Leominster firefighters responded to Leominster High School at 10:20 PM on April 13 for a report of a fire. On arrival, they observed smoke and were informed by custodial staff that the fire was on the roof. Crews approached from the building’s interior, by ground ladder, and by aerial and were able to extinguish it fully a short time later. They cleared smoke from the interior using a positive pressure ventilation fan.
“We know this fire was accidental and no harm was intended, but it’s important that we share this safety message with the community,” said Chief Sideleau. “Remember, smoke alarms inside won’t alert you to a fire on the roof or porch until it’s grown to a dangerous size. We’re very lucky the lantern didn’t land on a home while people were sleeping inside.”
The school was fully open for session the following day, and classes proceeded as normal.
Gas Prices Up Six Cents in Massachusetts This Week
AAA Northeast reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
After several weeks of decline, Massachusetts’s average gas price increased six cents from last week, averaging $4.13 per gallon. That price is 12 cents lower than a month ago ($4.25) and $1.30 higher than April 25, 2021 ($2.77).
The recent dip in pump prices has reversed, with the national average for a gallon of regular gas rising four cents over the past week. Upward pricing pressure on concerns that less Russian oil will enter the global market is countered by fears of a COVID-induced economic slowdown in China, the world’s leading oil consumer. These opposing forces are causing the oil price to hover around $100 a barrel.
“As long as the price of oil stays elevated, the price at the pump will struggle to fall,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. “Consumers may be catching a little break from March’s record-high prices, but don’t expect any dramatic drops.”
AAA Northeast’s April 25 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be four cents higher than last week ($4.08), averaging $4.12 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 12 cents lower than a month ago ($4.24) and $1.24 cents higher than this day last year ($2.88).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
