WRTA and other Central Mass. transit providers awarded vehicles, funding from state grant
Several Central Massachusetts communities and nonprofit agencies will benefit from some of the $8.6 million in grant awards from the state s the Community Transit Grant Program.
The Baker-Polito Administration announced the grants this week for the program which is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
The annual competitive grant program awards money to be used for transit operating costs, mobility management or new capital investments.
The funding is for applications made to the program during 2020. Awards include funding to 30 organizations for 113 vans and minibuses, and money to 21 entities for 28 operating and mobility management projects.
Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced additional statewide restrictions following the increase in COVID-19 cases after the Thanksgiving holiday and the potential for another increase following the Christmas and New Years’ holidays. Baker said that these restrictions are in addition to his previously implemented restrictions, which include a stay at home advisory from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and more restrictions for restaurants. The would go into effect on Dec. 26 at 12:01 a.m. and would reduce capacity at Encore Boston Harbor casino and at all restaurants to 25 percent. Baker said that prior to Thanksgiving, “acute hospital beds” were 67 percent occupied, but by December 15, they were 83 percent occupied and have “only recovered one percentage point since that peak.”
New restrictions will affect Encore casino, restaurants in Everett
Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced additional statewide restrictions following the increase in COVID-19 cases after the Thanksgiving holiday and the potential for another in-crease following the Christmas and New Years’ holidays.
Baker said that these restrictions are in addition to his previously implemented restrictions, which include a stay at home advisory from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and more restrictions for restau-rants. The would go into effect on Dec. 26 at 12:01 a.m. and would reduce capacity at Encore Boston Harbor casino and at all restaurants to 25 percent.
Baker said that prior to Thanksgiving, “acute hospital beds” were 67 percent occupied, but by December 15, they were 83 percent occupied and have “only recovered one percentage point since that peak.”
Published December 22. 2020 10:15PM
BOSTON (AP) Massachusetts has awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to help collaborative work spaces across the state expand and safely reopen, MassDevelopment said in a statement Tuesday.
The grants ranging from less than $2,000 to $100,000 are intended to strengthen community-based innovation and entrepreneurship. They are going to 26 organizations in 18 communities to accelerate business formation, job creation and entrepreneurial activity during and after the coronavirus pandemic.
“Beyond funding additions and new equipment, these awards will help recipients buy new HVAC systems and desk dividers, and implement other needed safety measures as we continue to navigate this pandemic.” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said in a statement.
Business capacity limited, nonessential surgeries postponed
By MARK PRATTDecember 22, 2020 GMT
Many Massachusetts businesses will be limited to 25% capacity and hospitals have been directed to postpone nonessential surgeries starting the day after Christmas to help curb an anticipated increase in new coronavirus cases after the holiday that could swamp the state’s health care system, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday.
In addition, social gatherings will be limited to 10 people inside and 25 people outside, the Republican governor said at a news conference.
The new restrictions take effect Saturday and are scheduled to run for two weeks.
Baker also urged people to avoid large family gatherings at Christmas to prevent a surge in new cases that the state saw after Thanksgiving.