Bangor, Maine News Update: June 15, 2020

The Maine CDC reports there have been 36 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, for a total of 2,793. 2,173 residents have recovered for an increase of 21. There were no reported deaths from the virus over the weekend.

Governor Janet Mills has moved up the date that Maine lodging establishments can begin serving out-of-state visitors, who meet the 14-day quarantine or the state’s new testing requirements. Reservations can now be taken for visitors arriving on June 26th, rather than on Wednesday, July 1st, in hopes of attracting more travelers leading up to the 4th of July weekend. Residents of New Hampshire and Vermont are exempt from the testing and can begin staying in Maine lodgings anytime.

A Caribou man faces multiple charges after his vehicle struck a state trooper during a high speed chase on Sunday. The chase involving Robert Belmain began in Waterville after he fled from a traffic stop, and ended when his vehicle struck Trooper Mickael Nunez as the trooper was laying spike strips along the road. Trooper Nunez suffered a broken leg while Belmain sustained head injuries.

Maine’s moose lottery drawing was held on Saturday, this year through a virtual broadcast, with more than 3 thousand winners drawn for this year’s moose hunt, that begins on September 28th. The list of winners can be found online.

Broad Street in Bangor is now closed to traffic and will be used as a pedestrian mall. City officials say this will allow for outdoor retail space and for expanded outdoor dining. The change will remain in effect until the end of the city’s state of emergency or September 7th, whichever comes first.

The 12th annual Dempsey Challenge will be held as a virtual event this year, with participants walking, running, and cycling on their own through a virtual platform. The event that supports the Dempsey Center raises funds to help improve the lives of cancer patients, and was named for the mother of actor Patrick Dempsey.