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, June 28 – Coes Reservoir is closed on Wednesday, Auburn’s former Chief of Police has died, a second Starbucks store in Worcester County has unionized, Old Sturbridge Village hosts a U.S. Naturalization service on July 4 and the average price for a gallon of gas is down seven cents since last week.
Coes Reservoir Closed on Wednesday
Coes Reservoir will undergo a treatment of copper sulfate on Wednesday, June 29. This is a preventative treatment, and there is currently no threat of harmful algae exposure.
The City of Worcester is advising everyone to stay out of the water, discontinue boat use and fishing, and keep their pets out of the water.
Beaches will be posted prior to the application. Coes Reservoir is expected to reopen on Thursday.
Copper sulfate is a safe and effective way to control the growth of harmful, toxin-producing algae. The application of copper sulfate is a common practice to maintain a healthy lake and poses minimal risk to humans and animals after application is complete.
Former Auburn Police Chief Robert Johnson has Died
The Auburn Police Department announced on Monday that former Police Chief Robert Johnson die on June 17.
Johnson, 92, joined the Auburn Police Department in 1958 and retired in 1988.
Former Auburn Police Chief Robert Johnson passed away on June 17,2022 at home. Chief Johnson lived a life of service; both as a Korean War veteran and a thirty year police career. RIP Sir. pic.twitter.com/i9fC3iJFTu
— Auburn MA Police (@AuburnMAPolice) June 27, 2022
Gardner Starbucks Workers Vote to Unionize
Workers at Starbucks in Gardner became the second store to in Worcester County to vote to form a union. The Boston Starbucks Workers United announced the unanimous vote on Twitter.
The store on East Central Street in Worcester also voted unanimously to unionize. That vote was announced on June 3.
Congratulations to our newly unionized partners in Gardner — they just won the TENTH UNANIMOUS VOTE in MA with a final tally of 14-0! ✊✊✊
— Boston Starbucks Workers United (@BostonSBWU) June 23, 2022
See the U.S. Naturalization Ceremony on July 4
Old Sturbridge Village is open all of Fourth of July weekend with a full schedule of events across the grounds.
On Sunday, July 4, at 11 AM there will be a U.S. Naturalization Ceremony on the Common at Old Sturbridge Village. The ceremony is for presenting U.S. citizens with their citizenship papers for the first time.
See Old Sturbridge Village’s full Fourth of July programming schedule here.
Average Gas Price Down 7 Cents in Massachusetts
AAA Northeast reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
Massachusetts’s average gas price is down seven cents from last week, averaging $4.93 per gallon. That price is 20 cents higher than a month ago ($4.73) and $1.95 higher than on June 27, 2021 ($2.98). Massachusetts’s average gas price is fout cents higher than the national average.
A drop in the global price of oil helped the national average for a gallon of gas to fall for a second week to land at $4.89. Economic fears of a potential global recession leading to less demand for oil dropped the price to around $107 per barrel, down from $110 last week.
“Fear is not a good reason to move a market like the one for oil, but it is a powerful motivator,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. “The cost of oil accounts for nearly $3 for every $4.89 at the gas pump. Consumers should find more relief when fueling up if oil prices drop further.”
AAA Northeast’s June 27 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be nine cents lower than last week ($4.98), averaging $4.89 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 30 cents higher than a month ago ($4.59) and $1.80 cents higher than this day last year ($3.09).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
