Bangor, Maine News Update: July 20, 2020

The Maine CDC reports reports 41 new cases of COVID-19 and 12 more people who have recovered. There were two new deaths over the weekend, including a man in his 20’s from Androscoggin County and man in his 90’s from Southern Maine.

Governor Janet Mills has released new guidelines for school administrators in the event that they bring students back to the classroom in the fall, and the funding to make it happen. The guidelines include things like the wearing of masks, deep cleaning, and symptom screenings before going to school. In addition, $8.4 million is being given to childcare facilities to help offset the cost of making things safe for the kids.

Many residents have been reporting that parts of their lawns are turning black, which plant pathologists from the University of Maine say is called, appropriately enough, black lawn. It’s a fungus that only affects grass, but leaves vegetables and flowers alone. Experts say the best way to deal with it is just to reseed the affected areas.

Bear hunters are readying their bait as the season is almost upon us. Hunters are allowed to lay out their bait, starting on August 1st. The bear hunt lasts from late August to late November.

A Dover-Foxcroft man decided to settle a residential property line dispute by cutting his neighbor’s garage in half, taking away the part that was built on his property. Gabriel Brawn told WGME-TV he had no issues with the man who built the garage, but often had disputes with those who rented it after the man died. Brawn’s wife says they’re now going to put up a privacy fence to settle the matter.

Children’s Miracle Networks will benefit from a 10-mile bike ride in Mashias, that will be completed August 1st by a local 14-year-old. Mac Kenzie Shors supports the charity after being born 12 weeks premature and spending 100 days in the hospital. The teen who’s raised over 2 thousand dollars, so far, for the charity says someday she hopes to work as a NICU nurse.