Bangor, Maine News Update: May 21, 2021

The Maine CDC reports 218 new cases of COVID-19 statewide. 9 additional people, diagnosed with the virus, have died, including: 5 from Androscoggin County; 2 from Penobscot County; 1 from Hancock County; and 1 from York County.

Governor Janet Mills has signed an executive order to lift the mask mandate for everyone, except children 5 and older in school or day care, effective Monday, 5/24. Governor Mills says she intended to lift the requirement for fully vaccinated Mainers, but realized it would be impossible to differentiate between them and anyone who’s not vaccinated. Businesses are still free to impose mask mandates and social distancing rules, if they choose, but it’s no longer mandated by the state.

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Pet owners are reminded not to endanger their pets by leaving them in a hot vehicle. Bangor’s Animal Control Officer Trisha Bruen says concern over pets that seem to be in distress is great, but reminds residents that it’s illegal to actually break into a vehicle to get the animal out. You can hear more on this topic on our Sunday morning program, Maine Concerns.

A proposal before lawmakers would allow for free breakfast and lunch for all Maine school students, regardless of income. Senate President Troy Jackson says it would alleviate stress put on children in need who are often marginalized for being on reduced lunch programs. Under Jackson’s proposal, all parents would have to submit paperwork, so the school can apply for federal and state subsidies.

A bottle drive fundraiser on Saturday will help Boy Scout Troop 301 from Bangor to the Katahdin Scout Reservation in Eddington and to the Maine High Adventure trip they missed out on last year because of the pandemic. Bottles can be left at the end of driveways in Bangor’s tree streets, dropped off at Chapin Park in Bangor, or they can be dropped off at Damon’s Beverage and Redemption Center.

The public is invited to take a tasty ride on the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad this weekend. Saturday and Sunday, the train will depart from the Unity station for a ride that will include a lunch of pizza and whoopie pies.