Bangor, Maine News Update: July 14, 2020

The Maine CDC reports 19 new cases of COVID-19 and 14 more people who have recovered. Most of the new cases are in Southern Maine. Officials say there are 436 active cases statewide.

Drivers on I-95 will want to be prepared for a huge construction project in Hampden, beginning on July 22nd. Traffic will be rerouted into the median as eight bridges are replaced and another rehabilitated. For now, the detours will affect northbound traffic, with the southbound lane construction due to start next year.

Voting in Brewer today will be held at the Farris Community Center, otherwise known as the Brewer auditorium, despite the facility being closed to Parks & Rec, after one of the employees was exposed to COVID-19. City Clerk Ronda Hogan told us the building has been cleaned and sanitized and only her staff will be working today. Voters in all communities are encouraged to wear their face coverings and practice physical distancing.

Two bond questions will appear on today's ballot, including question 1, which asks whether Maine should spend 15 million dollars to allow the ConnectMe authority to provide funding for high speed internet in unserved and underserved areas. Question 2 asks whether the state should spend 105 million dollars in general obligation bonds for transportation infrastructure projects.

Bar Harbor is using part of its Keep ME Healthy grant to offer free face coverings to the public. Mailboxes offering free masks have been placed in several places around town, including in Agamont Park, in the Village Green, and at the corner of Cottage and Main Streets.

A drive-by birthday party was held for WWII Veteran Earl McKusick, who turned 100 years old on Monday. His family organized not only the car parade, but also a greeting card drive to celebrate his special day. Earl told WABI-TV the secret to a long life is to eat what you want, sleep when you want, and do what you want because it's your life.