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 – Wednesday, March 9 – gas prices rise eight cents in one day, Assumption University’s president announces plans to retire, it’s day 3 of Wellness Week with the Herren Project, kids can get free Railers and Bravehearts tickets by reading books and Big Brother Big Sister is picking up in Worcester this week.
Gas Prices Continue to Rise
Gas prices are at an all-time high in Massachusetts, with the average price per gallon at the pump rising 54 cents since last week, as ThisWeekinWorcester.com reported on Tuesday.
AAA reported Tuesday afternoon prices increased eight cents in one day, from Monday to Tuesday, with prices rising from $4.16 to $4.24 per gallon across the state.
Nationwide, the average gallon of gasoline increased 11 cents, from $4.06 on Monday until to $4.17 on Tuesday.
As long as Russia is engaged in military operations inside Ukraine, prices are expected to continue to rise. Russia is one of the world’s three largest producers of oil.
Assumption University President Announces Retirement
Assumption University President Francesco Cesareo will retire on June 30.
Cesareo is Assumption’s 16th president and led several initiatives, including the institution’s transition from college to university, the opening of an international campus in Rome, Italy, and the introduction of several new academic programs, among other accomplishments.
Cesareo intends to move to the Philadelphia are to spend more time with his family, including welcoming his first grandchild this summer.
Assumption’s Board of Trustees Chair Francis Bedard announced on Tuesday that Cesareo notified the board he intended to retire.
It’s Day 3 of Wellness Week with Herren
ThisWeekinWorcester.com is a proud community partner for the Herren Project’s Wellness Week with Herren.
Wellness Week runs Monday, March 7 to Saturday, March 12, and each day has special programming with a unified theme. The week celebrates wellness and its importance to prevention and recovery, as well as supporting, inspiring and empowering those affected by substance use disorder.
Herren Project is a national nonprofit organization providing free resources and support for the treatment, recovery and prevention of substance use disorder.
Here’s a List of Events for Wednesday, March 9
- Action Changes Things – Student-Athlete Free Virtual Conference with Keynote Speaker, Lauren Sisler (ESPN) – 4:15pm PST
- Peloton Ride, Run & Yoga – Find your favorite class and join with the hashtag #herrenyoga, #herrenrides, #herrenruns
- Special Edition ASK CHRIS
- The First Day Film Screening with Q&A hosted by Kristin Young & Bonnie Sawyer – 7 PM EST
Worcester Bravehearts and Railers Tickets to Read
The Worcester Bravehears and Worcester Railers are providing tickets for K-6 students who read 10 books in a month.
Students who provide their reading list of 10 or more book through the program website to receive on free ticket for the Bravehearts and one free ticket from the Railers.
Other prizes are also included by drawing.
To learn more, visit the Tickets to Read website.
Big Brother Big Sister Picking Up Donations in Worcester
The Big Brother Big Sister Foundation has a truck scheduled for pickups in the Worcester area on Friday, March 11.
Founded in 1904, Big Brother Big Sisters is the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brother Big Sister makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 5 through young adulthood in communities across the country.
Foundation pickups accept a range of items, including clothing, certain household items, books and other items. See the full list of acceptable items here.
Schedule a home pickup here.
