MDAR Urges Residents to Report Signs of Spotted Lanternfly
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources [MDAR] has identified two dead specimens of the spotted lanternfly in Massachusetts communities, including in Worcester County.
MDAR is urging residents to report any sign of the invasive pest [pictured above].
The specimens were discovered in Milford and Norwood and were shipped into the state from Pennsylvania counties currently under a spotted lanternfly quarantine.
MDAR was also recently notified that nursery stock with spotted lanternfly egg masses and adults may have been unintentionally imported and planted across the state.
Spotted lanternfly attacks a variety of trees, shrubs, and vines, and has the potential to impact a broad range of agricultural commodities, including apples, peaches, grapes/wine, and maple syrup.
AAA Releases Massachusetts Crash Data to Highlight Lack of Child Restraints
To highlight last week’s National Child Passenger Safety Week, AAA Northeast analyzed MassDOT crash data and found that an alarming number of children were involved in crashes while riding without child restraints.
According to AAA Northeast, last year, one-third of 5-year-olds and more than half of 6 to 7-year-olds wore only seat belts or, in some cases, were unrestrained entirely:
| Age | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| % of children involved in crashes that were riding outside a child restraint | 11% | 11% | 11% | 15% | 21% | 33% | 45% | 61% |
Currently, Massachusetts law requires children to ride in a child restraint until age 8 or until they are taller than 57 inches.
Buy a 2021 Membership at Green Hill and Get Rest of this Year Free
With just a few weeks remaining in this year’s golf season, Green Hill Municipal Golf Course is offering the rest of the way free if you purchase a 2021 Season Pass now.
If you sign up now for next year, you can play the rest of the year for free and avoid any price increase on January 1, 2021.
Visit the course web site for a 2021 Membership Information Guide.
Downtown Worcester BID Ambassadors Collect Over 4,000 Pounds of Trash
During the months of July and August, the Downtown Worcester BID Ambassadors collected more than 4,000 pounds of trash in downtown Worcester.
The Ambassadors also removed 84 graffiti tags over that same period.
Over the course of the summer, the Ambassadors did thorough COVID-safe wipe-downs of business door handles, street furniture, and fixtures as well as removing graffiti.
To see the full reports for July and August, click on the links.
Free COVID-19 Testing this Week in Worcester
Free walk-up testing for the COVID-19 virus is being done as part of the state’s Stop the Spread campaign, and is sponsored by the City of Worcester and UMass Memorial Healthcare COVID-19 Equity Task Force, including Worcester Interfaith.
Free testing will be available at the following locations:
- Monday, Sept. 28: 12 PM to 4 PM at the Main South Community Development Corporation, 875 Main St — Flu shots available with insurance.
- Wednesday, Sept. 30: 2 PM t o 6 PM at City Hall Common, 455 Main St. — Flu shots available with insurance.
- Thursday, Oct. 1, 1 PM to 5 PM at Community Healthlink, 72 Jaques Ave.
No appointments are necessary, and a free mask and hand sanitizer will be provided with tests.
