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, May 10 – the Auburn Fire Department is hiring, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a block party in support of No Mutts Left Behind, the Regional Environmental Council needs volunteers this week, Massachusetts is ranked the sixth best state for police officers and gas prices hit an all-time high.
Auburn Fire Department Now Hiring
The Auburn Fire Rescue Department is hiring for one full-time position starting July 1. Cover letters and resumes will be accepted until 3 PM on Friday, May 20.
Minimum qualifications include a non-smoking, high school graduate or GED recipient with a valid Massachusetts license to operate a motor vehicle and an EMT certificate. Resumes for basic EMTs are not being accepted.
Block Party to Benefit No Mutts Left Behind
Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis and the Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff’s Association will host “Yappy Hour,” a block party to benefit Worcester-based dog rescue, No Mutts Left Behind, on Monday, May 16 from 6 PM to 8 PM on Water Street in Worcester’s Canal District.
Tickets are $15 per person and the first 100 dogs will be admitted into the event. All dogs must be licensed and on leash at all times.
Proceeds raised during the event will help the all-breed foster based rescue to continue their important work in housing and caring for the hundreds of dogs who pass through their doors each year.
Guests and their four legged friends will enjoy venders, food, SWAG bags, and more.
Get tickets here.
Regional Environmental Council Call for Volunteers
The Regional Environmental Council is asking for volunteers on Thursday, May 12, between 1 PM and 3:30 PM or from 3 PM to 6 PM at 42 Lagrange Road.
Volunteers will help sort over 300 pre-orders for the REC plant sale.
Sign up to volunteer for the plant sale sorting squad here.
Mass. Ranked 6th Best State for Police Officers
A new study finds Massachusetts is the sixth best state for police officers.
The study considered 30 metrics in creating its rankings for all 50 stats and Washington, D.C. The metrics that played a role in Massachusetts ranking just outside the top five include:
4th – Median Income Growth for Law-Enforcement Officers
8th – Police Deaths per 1,000 Officers
10th – Law-Enforcement Officers per Capita
19th – Violent-Crime Rate
20th – State & Local Police-Protection Expenses per Capita
26th – Median Income for Law-Enforcement Officers (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
Only Connecticut, California, Illinois, Washington D.C, and Maryland ranked higher than Massachusetts, from first to fifth.
The worst five states for police officers include Mississippi, West Virginia, Alaska, Hawaii, and Arkansas, from 47th to 51st.
To review the full study and its methodology, visit Wallethub.com.
Gas Prices Hit New All-Time High in Massachusetts
AAA Northeast reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
Massachusetts’ average gas price increased 18 cents from last week, averaging $4.39 per gallon. That price is 27 cents higher than a month ago ($4.23) and $1.54 higher than May 9, 2021 ($2.85).
Drivers are paying more at the pump—a lot more—as the cost of gasoline moves steadily higher. In the past two weeks, the national average for a gallon of gasoline has risen 20 cents to $4.32, a penny less than the record high set on March 11. The increase is primarily due to the high cost of crude oil, which was hovering near $100 a barrel last week and is now closing in on $110.
“With the cost of oil accounting for more than half of the pump price, more expensive oil means more expensive gasoline,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. “Locally, prices have now moved past those record high levels of early March.”
AAA Northeast’s May 9 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 13 cents higher than last week ($4.19), averaging $4.32 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 20 cents higher than a month ago ($4.12) and $1.36 higher than this day last year ($2.96).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
