Rutland

After a major personal loss reignited his dream of owning a barbecue business, Jordan El-Qasem launched the HaBBQ (pronounced ha-bibi-cue) food truck in March.

Not long after Arab's arrival, he experienced the loss of several elderly relatives, including his mother. Those painful moments shaped his resolve to support other families by opening his own Seniors Helping Seniors branch.

Founded by Jordan El-Qasem, HaBBQ serves Texas-style BBQ infused with Middle Eastern spices.

The Heart of New England Council, Scouting America, the Rutland-based council serving Scouting America throughout Central Massachusetts, has named Jason Pigg as its new scout executive and CEO, effective March 1. 

Just before the new year, United Way of South Central Massachusetts appointed nonprofit veteran Kristin McCarthy as its new leader.

Twenty-five local nonprofits have split $440,000 in funding from the Southbridge-based United Way of South Central Massachusetts aimed at supporting services addressing needs throughout the region, including food insecurity, homelessness, and mental health. 

The simple narrative proclaiming the craft beer industry is dying may fit nicely into a headline or television news chyron, but it doesn’t begin to explain the complexities of the local craft beer space.

Branded Realty Group of Worcester, helmed by real estate developer and franchise owner Robert Branca, purchased two more Dunkin' retail properties for a combined $4.4 million.

An affiliate of Harbor Classic Homes, LLC of Leominster purchased a property at 86 Maple Ave. in Rutland for $1.65 million on Tuesday, according to the Worcester District Registry of Deeds.

Gannett, the nation's largest newspaper chain and owner of Worcester’s Telegram & Gazette, Framingham’s MetroWest Daily News as well as several other local papers, has laid off personnel across its publishing empire.