Bangor, Maine News Update: June 14, 2021

The Maine CDC reports 50 new cases of COVID-19 statewide. 15 months after it was first established, Maine’s State of Civil Emergency will be lifted on June 30th. Governor Janet Mills says this will give state agencies time to determine which policies will need to be extended beyond the 30th, like child care providers. 

Old Town Police have closed Stillwater Avenue, from Governor's Restaurant to the Methodist Church, as part of an ongoing situation. Details have not been released, but a member of the Old Town Fire Department told us their ambulance had been on standby at the scene since around midnight. 

Mainers are reminded that carbon monoxide poisoning can happen in summer, in unexpected ways, like riding on the back of a boat or swimming behind the engine. When opening your camp for the summer, the Maine CDC recommends checking all gas lines and vents, to make sure they’re in good working order. Working on engines, from cars to lawnmowers, should be done in the open air and not in a building, even if the large garage door is open.  

The Maine Moose lottery was held virtually over the weekend, and now more than 3,000 Mainers have permits and will be able to hunt the large animals when the season opens up. Winners names have been listed online.   

A nonprofit group in Maine has given out more than $400 thousand dollars to school districts and community groups to help provide summer meals to kids. Full Plates Full Potential says the funding is an increase of more than $20 thousand dollars from last year and will benefit 64 organizations statewide.  

Dirigo Reads, a program that aims to put a new book in the hands of every Maine first grader each month of the school year, will nearly double the number of students it serves next year. For the 2021-22 school year, Dirigo Reads will serve 50 schools across the state, in its ever-increasing quest to instill a love of literacy at a young age.