Daily
Worcester
Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
Good morning, Worcester. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 2nd of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Life coach Dianne Langford James draws strength from her faith in God and her family as she leads Cycle Breakers Intl. LLC to empower Worcester residents amid social and political divides. She will host the inaugural Honoring Black Excellence Awards on October 3rd — an event that honors local Black leaders — to inspire unity and progress. Telegram & Gazette
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Yesterday, Worcester Business Journal launched a redesigned website that offers improved functionality and new subscriber tools. The updated site now features a Data Center for accessing sales prospect information, a Central Massachusetts Stock Index, regional news search, job listings and a community events calendar. Worcester Business Journal
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ At Polar Park on Oct. 4, the third annual Irish Cultural Festival will showcase Gaelic games, history presentations and a set by musician Derek Warfield — a nod to Worcester’s deep Irish roots. The event features women’s Gaelic football and men’s hurling matches starting at 12:30 p.m. — along with a puc fada contest and live music, with tickets costing $5 to $20. Telegram & Gazette
- ➤ Woostock music festival will take place on Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Off The Rails in Worcester and will feature four bands and comedian Shaun Connolly as host. The event will also offer craft vendors, a hot dog eating contest and a stein holding contest — a new autumn celebration that organizers hope will grow into an annual festival. Telegram & Gazette
- ➤ The Worcester County Mechanics Association held its 182nd annual meeting on Sept. 30 where new executive director Meghan Montaner announced strong financial health with nearly $2.4 million in operating revenue for 2024-25 and plans for lighting, sound, and portrait upgrades at historic Mechanics Hall—leaders also honored longtime advocate Paul Levenson with the Master Mechanic Award and set plans to expand programming for new patrons. Telegram & Gazette
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ UMass Chan Medical School will serve as the central hub of a four-year, $4 million National Science Foundation project that will create a standard system for tracking scientific instruments in research—aiming to improve data transparency and reproducible results. Dr. Caterina Strambio De Castillia said the Imaging-PHD project will assign persistent hardware descriptors to tools like microscopes. UMass Chan Medical School
FINANCE NEWS
- ➤ DCU got federal approval for its merger with First Tech and will form a new credit union valued at $28.7-billion by Jan. 1. This move will create the largest credit union in Central Massachusetts. Worcester Business Journal
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ On Tuesday, Worcester City Council voted 8—2 to oppose any 287(g) agreement with ICE, meaning the police will not engage in immigration enforcement. Councilor Khrystian King said the resolution clearly states that city resources will not be used for ICE activities. MassLive
- ➤ On Oct.1, the Planning Board reviewed a proposal to convert 14,000 square feet of the former Coca-Cola bottling plant at 333 Shrewsbury St. into a midwifery birth center run by Community Midwifery Center Inc.—including plans for an outdoor birthing garden and renovated apartments—and to build four one-bedroom tiny homes on a vacant city-owned lot at 6 Claremont St. to provide housing and support services for formerly homeless adults. Telegram & Gazette
- ➤ Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira, detained by ICE on Eureka Street on May 8, was granted asylum by Judge Yul-Mi Cho in Chelmsford on Sept. 30—Homeland Security may appeal the ruling. Her case now allows her to remain in the U.S. as she continues her effort for protection. Telegram & Gazette
- ➤ The Worcester City Council voted Tuesday to raise hourly pay for snow removal staff—hoping to attract more workers and prevent icy street hazards like those seen last February. The increase covers several positions and is meant to improve winter operations. MassLive
- ➤ Thirty-one independent restaurants across Massachusetts received a portion of $900,000 in state grant funding announced Tuesday to help address food insecurity. The grants, ranging from $7,000 to $45,000, will let restaurants prepare meals for food banks, senior centers, schools, and emergency food centers—boosting access for those in need. Worcester Business Journal
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Holy Cross guard Cam Nolan, an Oxford native and former St. John’s star, has been named one of 177 semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy that honors the nation’s best football scholar-athletes. Coach Dan Curran praised Nolan’s leadership as the team prepares for their Oct. 4 clash with Harvard—his nomination reflects strong contributions on and off the field. Telegram & Gazette
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Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas and Foghat
7:30-9 p.m. — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Cost info not provided — Experience the legendary voices of Mickey Thomas and the rock sounds of Foghat.
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Scott Heron: Jam Camp North
10 a.m. — Prindle Pond Conference Center — $ — A weekend of jamming in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere featuring old-time and bluegrass music.
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Savage Ga$p, Grim Salvo, and Witchouse 40k Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Palladium — Tickets available — Experience the electrifying performances of Savage Ga$p and friends live in Worcester.
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Alabama Live In Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — DCU Center — Tickets available — Experience the iconic country music sensation Alabama as they perform live in Worcester.
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Pink Martini Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices range from $87 to $303 — Experience an evening of eclectic music from the beloved Pink Martini.
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Johnny Mathis Concert
7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the timeless voice of Johnny Mathis, an icon of pop music since the 1950s.
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Rock The GazBar
10:30 a.m.–11:59 p.m. — The GazBar Sports Grill — Registration fees apply — Run, walk, or cheer on participants during a fun 5k event for all ages.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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