Bangor, Maine News Update: December 23, 2020

The Maine CDC reports 461 new cases of COVID-19 and 7 more people who have recovered. 10 more people diagnosed with the virus have died, including 4 in Cumberland county, and one each in Penobscot, Kennebec, Somerset, Hancock, Sagadahoc, and York counties.

The City of Ellsworth is set to appoint interim City Manager and Chief of Police Glenn Moshier as the permanent City Manager. The City Council unanimously approved the appointment, that's still pending contract negotiations.

The RSU 24 Board of Directors has revised an earlier decision and will allow student athletes at Sumner Memorial High School to compete. Basketball and cheering had been canceled earlier this month, making it the only high school in Hancock County left out of winter sports.

For the first time since the onset of the pandemic, Maine's timber harvesters and haulers will receive federal aid. $200 million in aid will benefit the industry that's suffered a 30-40% reduction in wood markets this year, resulting in severe revenue losses and layoffs.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has delayed the enforcement of bans on single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam disposable food service containers, which were both scheduled to go into effect in January. The demands put on businesses by the pandemic have prompted the DEP to postpone the enforcement of both directives until July 1st.

At the end of the month, two four-legged members of the Maine Warden Service are retiring after successful careers. K9 Ruby has served 10 years with Corporal Dave Chabot patrolling the greater Androscoggin County, while K9 Morgan is finishing up a 9-year career in Western Maine with Game Warden Kris MacCabe. Both dogs will spend their retirement years with their Warden handlers' families.

Bangor Savings Bank is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its iconic commercial of two kittens playing around a Christmas tree. Along with a new video that tells some of the background of the ad, the bank is also taking nominations online of humane societies and animal shelters, to share $10,000 in donations.