Bangor, Maine News Update: February 9, 2021

The Maine CDC reports 204 new cases of COVID-19 and one more person, diagnosed with the virus, who has died. Dr. Nirav Shah says Maine's 7-day testing positivity rate is at 2.74%, which is about where it was on November 17th. The lowest positivity rate was on October 15th, when it registered 0.42%. He says, although the numbers are on their way down, now is not the time for residents to let down their guard or they may start rising again.

A former Calais police officer is facing aggravated trafficking charges as the result of an investigation into the sale of drugs to a minor from Narraguagus High School. Jeffrey Bishop of Cherryfield was arrested last week in Harrington. The charges were elevated to aggravated because of the alleged sales' proximity to the school.

A new campaign hopes to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Maine, in order to discourage young people from using them. Members of the 'Flavors Hook Kids' campaign encourage residents to attend a virtual workshop about the effect of vaping, being hosted by Healthy Acadia.

There will be no large cruise ships in Bar Harbor in 2021. The Bar Harbor town council was still wrestling with the decision about whether to allow them, when the Canadian government banned cruise vessels for the year.

The 59th Annual Schoodic Lake Ice Fishing Derby is coming up this weekend, with a grand prize of a 2020 Sportsman 450 H.O. ATV. Tickets are only $10, with the proceeds to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Maine.

Chocolate lovers will want to take part in this year's Destination Moosehead Lake Chocolate Festival, that's going to look a little different this year. All orders of 10-piece chocolate boxes, and children's boxes will be taken online, with a drive-through pick-up service on Valentine's Day.