Bangor, Maine News Update: August 25, 2020

The Maine CDC reports 20 new cases of COVID-19 in the state and 28 more people have recovered. Currently, there are 463 active cases statewide, an increase of 31 over the past week.

The Maine Department of Labor is providing an additional 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits to Mainers who have run out of benefits through the Federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program. People who want to receive benefits will still have to provide proof that they are looking for work, including through virtual job fairs. Find more information on the Maine Department of Labor’s website.

Teachers are getting some help explaining the pandemic to their students through the Maine Department of Education. The online toolkit includes videos, posters, and other information to educate kids about things like COVID-19 symptoms, how to stop the spread, and information about face coverings.

The University of Maine is expanding its COVID-19 testing, after a fourth student tested positive for the virus. As part of the expanded regimen, the seven university campuses will test random samples of about 2 thousand students and employees every 10 days through Thanksgiving, when students are expected to leave campus and finish the semester remotely. The latest student to test positive had recently returned to Maine from out of state.

The former home of Nicky’s Cruise-in Diner in Bangor is being torn down. The Union Street eatery closed earlier this summer after more than 30 years in business, a decision that was hastened by the pandemic. There’s no word on what the future holds for the site, once the demolition is completed.

The Jackson Food Pantry will start selling off thousands of dollars’ worth of items next month, that they purchased for fundraising auctions that now can’t happen, because of the pandemic. Everything from toys for kids to clothing for all ages and a lot more will be sold through the pantry’s Facebook page, with all the proceeds used to purchase food for the pantry. Find more information on the Jackson Food Pantry info Facebook page and on our Sunday morning program, Maine Concerns.