What To Know About Salem's New Coronavirus Test Mandate: Patch PM

SALEM, MA — It's Monday, Sept. 20. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• Salem's new coronavirus test order for indoor events with 100 or more guests goes into effect on Oct. 1. There are a few things you need to know if you plan to attend a wedding reception, Halloween-themed ball or other large indoor party at a public venue in the city.
• A coach said his team was "ridiculed, called N bombs by players, faculty, staff, spectators and taunted all night" before a fistfight broke out at a high school football game Friday night. Officials are investigating the fight, which included players and coaches from Roxbury Prep Charter High School and Georgetown High School, as well as the alleged use of slurs.
• Actress Julianne Nicholson took home the outstanding supporting actress Emmy for her role in the hit HBO series "Mare of Easttown." It was the first Emmy win for the Massachusetts native, who played Lori Ross, the titular character's best friend and confidant.
• A Taunton police sergeant has been placed on administrative leave after being charged with OUI in a crash that seriously injured a motorcyclist. Sgt. Shawn Smith has been a member of the Taunton Police Department since 2000.

Scroll down for more on those and other stories Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today.

Today's Top North Shore Story

The Salem Board of Health order, which goes into effect on Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 31, applies to Halloween-themed balls, parties and wedding receptions with 100 or more attendees at any venue open to the public such as hotels, function halls and ballrooms.

All those attending these events as a guest or ticket holder must supply proof of a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours of entering the event regardless of vaccination status.

Testing of event staff is encouraged, but they will not need a new negative test for each event worked throughout the month.

Indoor event attendees will still all be required to wear a mask when not actively eating and drinking even with the new test mandate, per the city's indoor mask mandate through at least Nov. 13.

Read the full story here.

Today's Top Statewide Story

Officials are investigating a fight at a Georgetown High School football game Friday, including allegations of "racially charged language."

"There was a physical altercation during the football game between Georgetown and Roxbury Prep Charter High School that involved players from both teams and several coaches," Georgetown Superintendent Carol Jacobs said in a statement.

Jacobs referred to "allegations of the use of racially charged language."

Roxbury coach Jamaal Hunt posted on Facebook Saturday that the team faced racist slurs and taunts at the game.

"I watched racism ruin something that was supposed to be good to them, Friday night lights, but instead we were ridiculed, called N bombs by players, faculty, staff, spectators and were taunted all night," Hunt said. "I was approached by police for absolutely no reason. There were reporters wanting to interview us, these same racist people that waited for a reaction."

Read more here.

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Also Today

Medford Native Julianne Nicholson Wins First Emmy: Actress Julianne Nicholson took home her first Emmy Award Sunday. The Medford native won for outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or a movie for her turn as Lori Ross in HBO's "Mare of Easttown." She credited lead actress Kate Winslet with convincing her to take the role of the titular character's best friend.

Taunton Police Sergeant Charged With OUI After Crash Injures Man: A Taunton police sergeant has been placed on administrative leave after being charged with drunken driving in a crash seriously injured a motorcyclist Sunday morning.

New Worcester Mask Mandate: After vaccines brought high hopes for an end to pandemic-era precautions, the coronavirus delta variant has forced their return. On Monday, a new mask mandate went into effect in Worcester. That's because of an alarming number of new coronavirus cases that are pushing local hospitals to capacity.

All Massachusetts Community Colleges To Require Vaccination Proof: All students, faculty, and staff attending on-campus classes at the 15 Massachusetts community colleges will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 2022, the presidents of the schools said Monday.

Kidney Donor Cycles From Martha's Vineyard To Wisconsin: A Wisconsin man met a complete stranger in a bar last year and gave him one of his kidneys. On Sunday, Mark Scotch, 65, of Plover, Wisconsin is heading from Massachusetts to Wisconsin on the "Organ Trail," a bike ride designed to raise awareness for kidney disease, while showcasing the ability to be a living donor with post-donation functionality.

Picture This

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They Said It

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By the Numbers

$300: That's how much police say was snatched from a man's wallet when he opened it to give some money to a couple of guys who asked him for cash outside a 7-Eleven.