Fitchburg

Despite featuring technology that might be considered ancient by someone just coming of drinking age, nostalgia and curiosity for the seemingly simpler times of the late 20th century are a major driving force behind bar arcade’s popularity, according to current and prospective owners.

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

The median price of a single-family home in Massachusetts hit an all-time high of $615,000 in 2024, a year which saw an increase in sales.

Green Meadows says the product is similar to Zyn, a Swedish brand of oral pouches made from fiber infused with nicotine extracted from tobacco leaves. 

Gordon Brothers has handled liquidation of several prominent defunct brands, including Bed Bath & Beyond, CompUSA, KB Toys, and The Sharper Image.

The tourist center on Dec. 2 had a changing of the guard when Diane Burnette retired after nearly 30 years with the center, which is a division of Fitchburg-based North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. Sabbra Reyes was promoted as the new manager after being employed at the center for 15 years.

Fidelity Bank has named its first new president in nearly 10 years, promoting executive employee Joseph Silva to the Leominster-based institution’s leadership role. 

Five years after community and business leaders scrambled to keep St. Bernard’s High School opened after the Diocese of Worcester could no longer cover the school’s deficit, the Catholic Fitchburg school has received the largest donation in its history from an anonymous benefactor.

This second round of funding awarded on Dec. 23 followed an application process announced in September. 

Three Central Massachusetts universities have been awarded a share of $14 million in state funding to boost graduation rates for historically underserved students.