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, August 31 – there’s a vigil tonight at City Hall to observe International Overdose Awareness Day, three Mobile Equity Vaccination Clinics are scheduled this week, two local organizations focused on food security are awarded grants, enrollment opens for a $1,000 E-sports tournament and gas prices up one cent in Massachusetts this week.
International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil at Worcester City Hall
Worcester will mark International Overdose Awareness Day with the Candlelight Vigil of Memory and Hope in Worcester.
The vigil will be held at Worcester City Hall Plaza at 455 Main Street on Tuesday, August 31, at 5 PM. If weather prevents the observance outside, the vigil will be inside City Hall in the Levi Lincoln Room, on the third floor.
Following the event, city officials, community leaders and members of the clergy will take part in a procession to the Overdose Memorial at Peace Park on Winslow Street.
There will also be a Worcester Mobile Equity Vaccination Clinic at the event.
Worcester Mobile Equity Vaccination Clinic
The City of Worcester continues its Mobile Equity Vaccination Clinics while the number of new positive COVID-19 cases are increasing in Worcester. No appointments are necessary and those not vaccinated are welcome to walk-up.
The Mobile Equity Vaccination Clinics this week include:
- Candlelight Vigil of Memory and Hope, City Hall Plaza, Tuesday, August 31, 5 PM to 8 PM
- Worcester Public Library, Main Branch, 3 Salem Square, Wednesday, September 1, 11 AM to 7 PM
- Worcester Public Library, Main Branch, 3 Salem Square, Saturday, September 4, 11 AM to 5 PM
Over $4 Million in Grants for Food Security Awarded to Two Worcester County Organizations
Two Worcester County programs received funding from a $27.1 million in federal CDBG-CV Food Security Program funding announced by Governor Charlie Baker on Monday, August 30.
The Greater Worcester Community Foundation, in Worcester, received $2,531,259 in funding and the Community Foundation of North Central MA, in Fitchburg, received $1,716,314.
Each organization awarded grants from the CDBG-CV Food Security Program funding will form partnerships with community action agencies, community development corporations, and other non-profit or for-profit organizations that administer existing food security programs.
Esports Tournament with $1,000 Grand Prize
All Systems Go, an Esports Bar at 225 Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, hosts an Apex Legends Duos tournament with first prize winning $1,000.
The qualifiers for the tournament are Saturday, September 4, with check-in starting at 1 PM.
The finals are Sunday, September 5, with check-in starting at 2 PM.
The tournament registration fee is $30. To see tournament rules and enroll to compete, visit the All Systems Go website.
Gas Prices Up One Cent This Week in MA
AAA Northeast reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
Massachusetts’s average gas price is down one cent since last week, averaging $3.05 per gallon. That price is three cents higher than a month ago ($3.02), and 89 cents higher than August 30, 2020 ($2.16).
Massachusetts’s average gas price is 10 cents lower than the national average.
“Motorists can expect price fluctuations leading into Labor Day weekend due to Hurricane Ida. Until the power is restored, it’s too early to know the full impact of any damage Ida caused to the oil and gas industry,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public Affairs. “Typically, a category 4 storm could mean three plus weeks before refineries are back to normal operations, while offshore production is more likely to resume this week.”
AAA Northeast’s August 30 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be one cent lower than last week, averaging $3.15 a gallon. Today’s national average price is one cent lower than a month ago ($3.16), and 92 cents higher than this day last year ($2.23).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
