Bangor, Maine News Update: July 30, 2019

Mainers are encouraged to take it easy and stay in the air-conditioning as much as possible today, after the Maine DEP issued an air quality alert. Ground-level ozone concentrations will reach unhealthy levels today, which can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, or throat irritation. Residents should avoid strenuous activity, especially this afternoon.

A 61-year-old transient is charged with robbery and violating his bail conditions after allegedly robbing the Bangor branch of the Penobscot County Federal credit Union on Monday morning. Police say Joseph Vandam allegedly handed a teller a note before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The Maine PUC expects to delay CMP’s request for a rate increase, at least until the end of the year. Central Maine Power has been plagued by customer complaints about how it handled its new billing system, and is now requesting to raise rates by just under 11 percent.

The Maine CDC will start next month distributing oral rabies vaccines in wooded areas of northeastern Maine, in an effort to control the contagious disease. Officials ask that anyone who comes across the small baits, which are coated in brown fishmeal, to leave them alone so they can be picked up by animals.

Two local volunteer organizations that help people in need are now looking for on-call volunteers with access to pickup trucks, trailers, and/or cargo vans. Welcome to Housing collects household items to help people transitioning from shelters to permanent housing and the Storehouse collects and distributes clothing. Find more information about how to get involved on both organizations’ Facebook pages.