Bangor, Maine News Update: February 19, 2021

The Maine CDC reports 221 new cases of COVID-19 statewide, and another resident of Cumberland County, diagnosed with the virus, who has died. As of Thursday, 265,991 Mainers had received a COVID vaccination. 185,906 were first dose shots, while 80,085 were second doses.

An accident in Brewer Wednesday evening serves as a good reminder of the importance of clearing all the snow and ice from your vehicle. A chunk of ice flew off the roof of a van on North Main Street and smashed the windshield of another car. On Thursday, lawmakers discussed a bill that would require drivers to clear all the ice and snow from their vehicles, including from the roof.

Maine's Attorney General and Chief Medical Examiner say it appears that drug overdose deaths are trending upward after a record-breaking year in 2020. In January of 2021, there were 29 confirmed and 29 suspected overdose deaths, for a total of 58. That's higher than the state's average OD deaths in 2020 of 42 per month.

After a Glenburn farmer realized his kidney problems were being caused by E Coli bacteria in his well water, environmental experts are advising Mainers to get their water tested on a regular basis. The Maine Division of Environmental and Community Health says even though your well water looks, smells, and tastes fine, there could still be bacteria in it that could make you sick.

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor is looking for people interested in becoming online tutors, to help adults improve their reading skills, or learn English, or improve their online literacy skills. Virtual training is set to begin on March 15th. Get more information and register for the course on the organization's website.