Bangor, Maine News Update: November 17, 2020

The Maine CDC is reporting 173 new cases of COVID-19 statewide, and 149 more people who have recovered. For the first time in nearly a week, no new deaths were reported.

St. Joseph's College in Standish is the latest to go to remote learning after 12 positive cases of COVID-19 were identified on campus. The campus is closing at least until after the Christmas break, and officials say it's too soon to determine whether it will reopen for the second semester. Students currently on campus will be required to get tested before they can leave the facility.

Thursday is the Great American Smokeout, when the American Cancer Society encourages residents to quit smoking. Resources are available to help Mainers quit and to sustain a tobacco-free lifestyle. An information line known as the Maine Quit Link can be found at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

A petition circulating among Bangor parents is asking the school system to put back the kids snow days for the winter, rather than the current plan, which is to go to remote learning on stormy days. The Bangor Snow Days Compromise group would like to maintain 3 or 4 snow days, and then have remote learning kick in after those are used up.

Anah Shriners will be selling holiday wreaths this Saturday at their building on Broadway in Bangor, to raise money for Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston and Springfield. Buyers won't have to get out of their vehicles, as the $25 wreaths will be sold in a drive-through style. The sale runs from 10 to 2 on Saturday.

The Emmaus Homeless Shelter in Ellsworth is helping give everyone a holiday meal by providing free Thanksgiving food boxes to those in need. Orders for the boxes must be submitted by Wednesday, and then the boxes will need to be picked up on Thursday or Friday.

Townsquare Media's annual turkey drive kicks off this morning in the Brewer Hannaford parking lot, as radio announcers live in the parking lot until they reach at least 2020 turkeys. Folks can mask up and drop by to donate turkeys or cash, which will be distributed to several agencies through Penquis through Thursday afternoon. Donations can also be made by texting FREETHEZ to 44321.