Brookline Vaccine Rollout, How It's Going: Patch PM

MASSACHUSETTS — If you've been outside or looked out the window, you know it's a gloriously beautiful Friday, March 12. Here's what else you should know this afternoon:

• The 25-year-old trucker was indicted for the deadly crash that would upend the state's Registry of Motor Vehicles.
• She made a "simple serious mistake." Then the 77-year-old longtime Trader Joe's employee found herself without a job during the pandemic.
• Outdoor dining is set to resume in Boston earlier than planned.
• One of the state's largest school districts will seek a waiver to delay the return of full in-person learning.

Friday's Top Story

Twenty-two percent of the town's some 64,700 residents have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, according to new state data released Thursday.

The state's vaccine rollout prioritizing the most vulnerable residents is bearing fruit in Brookline, where those 75 or older have received the most vaccinations per capita, despite making up just 7 percent of the city's population. Seventy percent of those 75 and older have received at least one dose, while 54 percent of them are fully vaccinated.

But, get this: A whopping 92 percent of those 75 and older have received at least one dose in Westford, and 47 percent of them are fully vaccinated.

Today's Other Top Stories

'Simple, serious mistake' — If you've been to Trader Joe's in Brookline within the past 16 years, it's likely you've seen Gloria Cocuzzo flitting around the store, welcoming people. If you have children with you, the chances of interaction go up exponentially. But those days are over for the 77-year-old Cocuzzo. She was fired after what organizers of a fundraiser for her said was selling beer to a family member who was a couple of months shy of 21. Now, with no job and no way to support herself amid the pandemic, the community has rallied. More than 350 people have donated over $36,000 in just three days via the online fundraising platform GoFundMe.

Tastes like optimism — Outdoor dining will resume in Boston March 22, more than a week earlier than expected as warming temperatures and falling coronavirus rates fuel spring optimism. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh made the announcement Friday, the second straight day of well-above-average temperatures in Boston. The city previously said outdoor dining would open April 1, but allowed for an earlier start if the weather permitted.

Worcester waiver — Worcester Public Schools will seek a waiver from the state to avoid having to return all elementary school students to buildings full-time in April, one of the largest districts in the state to announce such plans. Mayor Joseph Petty said during a news conference Thursday the schools do not have room to meet minimum distances of 3 and 6 feet.

Trucker indicted in deadly highway crash: A New Hampshire grand jury has indicted a Massachusetts trucker for the deaths of seven motorcyclists after a fatal crash in Randolph, New Hampshire, in June 2019. Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, 25, formerly of West Springfield, MA, was indicted on seven counts of manslaughter-reckless, seven negligent homicide counts, seven counts of negligent homicide-driving under the influence, and a single reckless conduct-deadly weapon charge, according to documents received by Patch on Friday.

By The Numbers

March 22 — That's when the U.S. Senate is finally expected to vote on confirming Boston Mayor Marty Walsh as President Biden's labor secretary.

They Said It

"We are hopeful that as soon as the state has additional vaccines coming in from the feds that this site will be approved."

— Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, who said a Salem State vaccination could administer about 1,100 doses per day if it can get the supply.