Bangor, Maine News Update: August 5, 2019

Flags in Maine are flying at half-staff today, in honor of the victims of two mass shootings over the weekend. At least 29 people lost their lives in incidents in El Paso, Texas and in Dayton, Ohio. Flags will remain lowered to half-staff until sunset on Thursday.

Penquis is collecting school supplies, including backpacks, for students in Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox Counties. Organizers hope to collect a total of twelve hundred backpacks, which will be available for pickup during the third week in August. Find more information on the website for Penquis.

Cancer patients can now access a peer-to-peer support group without leaving their homes. The Purple Iris Foundation has started the Standing Strong Cancer support group, that holds its meetings on the first Wednesday of every month, using the video conferencing platform, ZOOM. Find more information on the Facebook page for Standing Strong, Cancer Survivor/Patient support.

A nightly show in Hancock that features artwork being carved out of wood with a chainsaw are coming to an end. Ray Murphy told WVII-TV that his shop will remain open but he’ll stop the Chainsaw Sawyer Artist Live Show in about a month, due to health concerns. The nightly shows begin at 7 p.m. and will end after September 8^th.

The Bangor Police Department will host its Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday evening, from 6 to 8, in Second Street Park. Residents are invited to stop by for grilled burgers and dogs, an inflatable slide and bounce house and bicycle course, all to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness.