AltWeeklies Wire
Walking in Worcesternew
The laws say pedestrians have the right of way. Reality tells us it is not always so black and white when it comes to cars versus humans on the streets. Some will tell you pedestrians bear as much responsibility as motorists when it comes to preventing the potentially tragic collision of metal and flesh. Drivers will, too, like the woman at a recent area crime watch meeting in Worcester who accused some pedestrians of purposely crossing the streets at a snail's pace.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
12-19-2014 |
Transportation
The Silent Epidemic of Campus Rapenew
Thousands of students returned to colleges and universities this fall, and for the women among them they did so facing this very real and disturbing reality: their chances of being raped or sexually assaulted just rose exponentially.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
11-13-2014 |
Features
Worcester Police Chief Gary Gemme nixes meeting with press after ‘provocative article’new
In a jaw-droppingly shocking response that may confirm the Worcester Police Department picks and chooses which media outlets to whom it releases legally-requred public information, police personnel taking part in an online Facebook forum Wednesday, Sept. 3 admitted they only deliver public information in a timely manner to specific media outlets. Police personnel actually placed different media outlets in different categories as far as level of importance to respond. It would appear to be a violation of public records laws, which place no such restrictions on how and when information must be distributed.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
09-04-2014 |
Media
Drugs and Deathnew
The city of Worcester is coming to terms with the fact that it's in the midst of a heroin epidemic.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
08-15-2014 |
Drugs
Pill Mannew
One man's fight to overcome opiate addiction.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
07-18-2014 |
Drugs
Tags: pills, opiate addictions
President Barack Obama keeps DCU crowd, Worcester Tech grads in awenew
President Barack Obama exhorted Worcester Technical High School graduates to never forget the people who invested in them, to give back to their community and to leave their historic graduation ceremony at the DCU Center Wednesday, June 11 believing every child in America can make it just like them.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
06-13-2014 |
Features
Worcester Telegram & Gazette Feels Heat With Sale to Florida Companynew
An in-depth look at the sale of the Telegram & Gazette in Worcester, Mass. to Florida-based Halifax Media Group.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
06-05-2014 |
Media
New Owner of Worcester Telegram & Gazette No Stranger to Slashing and Cuttingnew
The hatchet is expected to fall inside the headquarters of the 148-year-old Worcester Telegram & Gazette, but just how painful the cuts will be will not be known until after the blow is delivered. While the immediate future of the largest daily newspaper in Central Massachusetts is murky right now, two things are clear: One, the new steward of the T&G has a track record of slashing and cutting staff - and not a perfect record of results once it buys a new product. Two, the man who sold the newspaper to the Halifax Media Group is persona non grata in Worcester.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
05-29-2014 |
Media
Seeking Asylumnew
Members of the LGBT community may not always feel welcome in this country, but if they met “Christina,” their perspective just might change. She is among the thousands who have fled their home countries over the years, not to come to the US and get a free ride, but because their very lives are in danger if they do not leave.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
04-10-2014 |
LGBT
License Commission defies ABCC in denying Price Chopper licensenew
The denial of a liquor license transfer to Price Chopper earlier this month could land the city in court, but at the very least it has one local liquor store owner crying foul. The License Commission, meanwhile, is defending its decision, which echoed the one it made last year, even though the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) at that time had told the licensing board it did not agree with the outcome.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
03-27-2014 |
Policy Issues
Unclaimed: Dead and Buried Alone in Massachusettsnew
Unclaimed bodies are those that their families either not found or, when contacted, not wanting to shoulder the hefty financial burden of burying them – it can cost at least $3,000 for even the most basic burial. In other instances, the reasons run much deeper and are much more personal.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
03-20-2014 |
Features
For Polar, It's a Local Thingnew
Just as Worcester has worked to establish its own identity and become the destination of choice in Massachusetts, the 132-year-old Polar Beverages has adapted to a changing business climate and separated itself from the pack as an independent bottler.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
02-20-2014 |
Business & Labor
Police background checks rigorous, but ‘nothing is foolproof'new
The police officer charged with raping a woman while on duty last year had to undergo what Worcester police describe as a “rigorous background check,” but that was when he was initially applying for a job. Officer Rajat Sharda was laid off in 2009 because of budget cuts and reinstated in 2011. When he returned, he had to pass another physical test. His last employer was also checked, but Sharda did not have to go through the same process as when he first applied.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
02-18-2014 |
Crime & Justice
Worcester Restaurants Counter IRS Rule Change to Automatic Gratuitiesnew
A move by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that now subjects automatic gratuities at restaurants to payroll taxes has many restaurants doing away with including tips in the overall bill for large groups of customers. It is what one local restaurateur calls a “foolish” move.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
01-09-2014 |
Food+Drink
It's JetBlue for the Woonew
JetBlue announces flights to and from Worcester Regional Airport starting this November.
Worcester Magazine |
Walter Bird Jr. |
04-07-2013 |
Transportation
