Greater Worcester

Worcester's next city manager should be adept at overseeing a large organization, practicing long-range thinking and developing the political muscle to see changes through, according to a panel of experts.

Worcester-based drug and alcohol treatment center operator AdCare has agreed to purchase SSTAR of North Kingstown, R.I., for an undisclosed amount. This would be AdCare's second location in Rhode Island.

The Telgram & Gazette of Worcester laid off at least 20 news staffers Monday as a new owner took the helm.

UMass Memorial Health Care has reduced its ownership stake in Worcester's Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital from 50 percent to 20 percent, according to an announcement yesterday.

College students in the Worcester area would apparently like to see the types of businesses in the downtown area that city officials hope will mark much of the landscape in a few years.

Although many face obstacles entering the United States, immigrants are launching their own businesses at a higher rate than those started by native American citizens.

Gov. Deval Patrick's inclusion in his economic development package of an end to most non-compete agreements drew the most heat during a Beacon Hill hearing Thursday.

Five months after closing its doors and putting the building up for sale, the Higgins Armory Museum said it will host a public liquidation auction of some of its remaining assets in two weeks.

Boston-based renewable energy company First Wind said Wednesday that a solar project in Millbury, which will provide power to University of Massachusetts campuses in Worcester and Lowell, is complete and commercial operations have begun.

German conglomerate Siemens Metals Technologies has inked a deal that will involve the engineering and manufacture of copper rod mills in Worcester.