Leominster

Twin Cities Plaza, anchored by a Hannaford supermarket and straddling the Fitchburg-Leominister line, is undergoing an overhaul for a more modern look and landscaping.

Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester earned the highest grade by a hospital-safety ratings agency for the ninth straight time, and Heywood Hospital and Leonard Morse also earned A's.

The Baker administration and municipal officials across Massachusetts expect to hear from the federal government within 30 days about their newly-submitted request for approval of 138 zones where new federal tax incentives could be used to spark investment in rural and low-income communities.

Seven Central Massachusetts companies have been awarded more than $600,000 in state workforce training grants, including an ice cream shop in Hudson.

In the 1990s, there was retribution for the public health damage done by tobacco companies. Now, the pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution industry could be on track to settle another landmark public health lawsuit.

The quickly changing retail landscape took a new hit with the closure of a Sam's Club in Worcester in January and the impending closure of Toys “R” Us in Auburn, Leominster, Northborough, Millbury and Framingham.

Chances are now very high daily community news coming out of Central Massachusetts will be from a publication owned by a large media corporation, with a strong commitment to the bottom line.

Just weeks after announcing plans to close 182 stores, including four in Central Massachusetts, Toys R Us is now planning to end its U.S. operations.

The de-facto town manager for Devens, Thatcher Kezer, is headed to Framingham to be the city's top appointed executive.

BJ's Wholesale Club joins a growing list of now eight Central Massachusetts retailers to partner with online grocery delivery service Instacart.