Eric Casey

@ericcasey

Writer/Media Managing Editor | Worcester Business Journal (‪@wbjournal.bsky.social‬) Covering real estate and other business-y things across Central Massachusetts. Worcester, MA via Marlboro, with some time at URI.

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Eric Casey@ericcasey· 4d

Ah, the old 5:03pm on a Friday press release.

Screenshot of press release: U.S. Department of Justice Closes Investigation into Worcester Police Department

WORCESTER, Mass. – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) informed the City of Worcester Thursday that it has chosen to close its investigation into the Worcester Police Department without further action and without sustaining any allegations from its 2024 report.

When the DOJ released its original report, the municipality was already taking steps to improve its practices to promote fair, safe, and unbiased policing in the community. That work continued after the report was announced and will continue into the future, as ongoing improvement is necessary to have an effective police force.

“I want to thank the DOJ for recognizing the positive steps the WPD has taken to strengthen its policies and practices and for their thorough attention to this matter,” City Manager Eric D. Batista said. “I also want to thank Chief Saucier and the entire department for working cooperatively with the DOJ and for their work every day that helps make Worcester one of the safest mid-sized cities in the country. While the DOJ investigation may be closed, we remain committed to proactive evaluation and improvement.”

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jul 7

INBOX: MassLive is doubling its monthly subscription cost from $10 to $20.

"Dear Valued Subscriber,

Thank you for being a loyal subscriber and investing in local journalism. Your support drives our mission to strengthen and empower the communities we serve. We remain committed to being your trusted source in the Mass area.

We wanted to notify you of an upcoming change to your subscription price. Beginning August 1, 2026, the price of your subscription will be adjusted to $20.00 per month. At the end of each term, your subscription will automatically renew at the then-current price, unless you cancel as described below before the end of the term."

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jul 1

Second Chance Animal Shelter in East Brookfield has at least 16 cats and kittens that need a new home, after their owner was unexpectedly placed in assisted living. www.secondchanceanimals.org.

An adorable calico cat nurses two kittens

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jun 19

I reckon the Tartan Army has been through these parts. #Worcester

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jun 17

Apropos of nothing, here's the oldest archived version of WBJ's website, dating back to 1998. Maybe we should bring this aesthetic back. web.archive.org/web/19980203...

A screenshot of Worcester Business Journal's website in 1997 or 1998, showing a 90s-style web design.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jun 13

I need a scaffolding expert to tell me what's happening here.

Workers on scaffolding preparing to take Trump's name off the Kennedy Center.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jun 13

I also caught them testing the setup for tomorrow's World Cup viewing party.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jun 13

Walking home and stumbled across the high school baseball championships at Polar Park. That's a 160 million dollar sunset right there.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jun 10

FIFA may be corrupt, but in a weird sort of butterfly effect way, they have given Worcester this: A (temporarily) pedestrian-focused Downtown. Here are the road closures for the four World Cup viewing parties, with the first on Saturday at 5pm.

A map of road closures in Downtown Worcester, showing streets around Worcester Common and a few other streets as shut down.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jun 2

Banker & Tradesman with insights on a possible rent control compromise, as it appears the real estate industry is not as united of a front as you might be led to believe. Lupoli Cos. CEO Sal Lupoli (of Sal's Pizza fame) among the defectors. bankerandtradesman.com/will-industr...

HYM Investment Group President Tom O’Brien, WinnCompanies CEO Gilbert Winn, Lupoli Companies CEO Sal Lupoli, The Builder Coalition Executive Director Dave Maddan and representatives of the Mass. Association of Community Development Corporations negotiated a compromise with the Homes for All Coalition over the last month, apparently independent of industry groups or the committee opposing the ballot question. The Homes for All Coalition, which is pushing the rent control ballot question, announced proposed legal language for the Legislature to consider Tuesday afternoon.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· May 29

In unrelated Worcester venue news, the organ at the Worcester Memorial Auditorium still works.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· May 26

A nice gift from my WBJ co-workers.

A mock front cover of WBJ's front page with some tributes to myself.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· May 11

Sorry but I'm a firm believer that if you're going to play Keno, it needs to be in a sad bar surrounded by townies.

A online advertisement proclaiming Keno is now available to be played online.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· May 4

The Boston Globe cited my reporting while chronicling the collapse of Boston Market. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/05/04/l...

As recently as 2018, the Globe declared Boston Market to have the best rotisserie chicken in the Boston area, writing that the “breast and thigh meat [were] both cooked just right, with teriyaki flavors on the skin.” At the time of publication, there were still 18 locations serving that golden, tender bird in Massachusetts.
The final Bay State holdout was in Worcester. Things got pretty bad at the end: The state seized the Worcester branch due to non-payment of taxes, according to the Worcester Business Journal. When it closed in March 2025, it had a Yelp rating of 2.5.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Apr 27

Maybe rents have leveled off in Worcester because we're living rent-free in the minds of so many people from Westborough.

A post in a Westborough facebook group shows a photo of phallic graffiti with a caption that reads: "I see this happening in Worcester. But here in Westborough? What can we do about this?"

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Apr 27

Forgot alt text:

Statement from City Manager Eric D. Batista regarding the Specialized Stretch Code:
Following further discussion with state officials, the municipality is no longer seeking a pause to the specialized stretch code. No action can be taken until three years after the effective date of the policy.
I am recommending for the City Council to file the item Tuesday night, April 28, 2026.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Apr 20

I've been playing GeoGuessr (actually OpenGuessr because I refuse to pay) for a while now, and I've gotten to the point where I'm pretty good. Unfortunately, hitting the next level would require memorizing stuff like this, so I think I've plateaued.

A picture of two traffic bollards in Australia. Caption reads: "Australian bollards are white, with a red reflector on the front, and a grey reflector on the back.

NOTE: New Zealand uses a bollard where the red reflector wraps around the back, meaning the reflector goes from end to end while the Australian one stops in the middle."

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Feb 22

Today I learned that Bobsled in Italian is just bob.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Feb 13

I'm leaning towards not getting into a Facebook beef with a gangster-themed restaurant, but Luciano's has been taking reservations for events after their lease expires while their landlord says this about their future at the site: youtu.be/C6KYWu1NkN8?...

A statement from Luciano's claiming it's not closing

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Feb 7

Wow, what a weekend coming up. Good luck to my fellow New England journalists. 🤞

Lenny from the Simpsons with fingers folded in front of his face, while awaiting an announcement award at a ceremony

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jan 30

Free candlepin bowling at American Flatbread today:

Post from American Flatbread on Facebook, with a picture showing their candlepin bowling alley. Caption: "This Friday, we’re keeping the focus on community. We know there is a lot on everyone’s minds right now, and we want to provide a space where you can just be.
To help everyone connect and support one another, we’re offering Free Bowling all day this Friday, Jan. 30. No catch, no spend required—just a place for neighbors to be neighbors.
#canaldistrictworcester #worcesterma #bowlyourcaresaway"

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jan 29

Resisting the urge to add "headline hunk" to my bio. www.yahoo.com/entertainmen...

Inside CBS, speculation is swirling that Tony Dokoupil and Matt Gutman fit what Shuter described as a new era of “headline hunks.” Tony Dokoupil took over CBS Evening News on January 5, while Gutman began his role as CBS News chief correspondent the same day.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jan 27

Street isn't plowed and my bus line is cancelled, so it's a two-mile walk to work in this. Welcome to Worcester!

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jan 25

Not sure why this ended up in my feed but it's bonkers. The storm didn't hit Antigua, they are by no means trapped there. They could easily find a place to stay that isn't an all-inclusive. Now a NY politician wants the feds to threaten Antigua over it. longisland.news12.com/wantagh-fami...

"Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman Sunday said some travelers are being price gouged.
“I am alerting our federal officials and asking that foreign governments are warned to protect our citizens until it is possible for them to return home,” he said in a statement."

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jan 16

It's a bit of a janky setup, and I really need to get rid of that mattress, but I'm a darts guy now.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Jan 15

Selling meat in stores? What will they think of next... prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-release...

Screenshot of a PR announcement that ButcherBox branded meat is now available at Target

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Dec 26

The Railers away game in Maine scheduled for tonight has been postponed, as the team put out this statement regarding the player's strike. The league and the union have differing accounts of negotiations and seem to be miles apart. Union: phpa.com/news/3214 League: echl.com/CBA

A statement from the Worcester Railers detailing the likely postponement of some games and offering details about the league's final offer to players.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Dec 19

If you're in line to read the Epstein Files, STAY IN LINE.

A notice alerting online viewers of the Epstein Files a high volume of search requests is requiring a waiting queue.

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Dec 16

Got to see this amazing piece of Worcester history today

A plaque explaining this desk is where the rules of candlepin bowling were finalized

An antique wooden roll-top desk with antique wooden candlepin bowling pins sitting on it

Eric Casey@ericcasey· Dec 16

I always love hearing from our readers! I'll make sure my next article about some warehouses being sold from one investment firm to another is at least 3,000 words.