Bangor, Maine News Update: February 4, 2021

The Maine CDC reports 276 new cases of COVID0-19 and 9 more people diagnosed with the virus who have died. Maine is set to receive 5% more of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine later this week, plus a 16% overall delivery increase. This is good news for elderly residents who have struggled to get an open vaccination appointment.

A Bradford woman, with a history of drug convictions, is facing charges after allegedly crashing two stolen cars within four miles of each other on I95 in Bangor. Police say 28-year-old Rachel Donnelly crashed a car she’d allegedly stolen from her mother in the median, and then allegedly stole a vehicle belonging to a woman who stopped to help her, crashing that one just three miles away.

Ellsworth Public Library is teaming up with Northern Light Health to offer a virtual vaccine education program entitled COVID-19 Vaccine – What You Need to Know. The February 10^th event will cover eligibility, distribution, clinical information, and common misconceptions about the vaccine.

The Better Business Bureau is warning people not to post pictures of their vaccination cards on social media because internet scammers can pick up personal information off the cards, like names, social security numbers, and dates of birth. In addition, they could use the information to print up phony vaccination cards, and use them to bilk people out of money through fake appointment calls.

The Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay has received a grant of almost $900 thousand for research into the ways that aquaculture of kelp can be used to combat climate change. The research will focus on the role kelp can play as a sponge that soaks up carbon dioxide. The grant was awarded by the World Wildlife Fund, with support from Bezos Earth Fund.

An organization based in Bangor is providing nutritious meals to cancer patients, at no cost. The Christine B Foundation has partnered with area businesses to offer the meals through pick-up sites and contact-less home delivery in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, and Washington counties.