Bangor, Maine News Update: October 28, 2020

A Veazie man died in a forklift accident in Kenduskeag on Tuesday. Gary Mullen, 59, was killed in the accident at a rented building on the Ames Road just before 10:00 in the morning.

The Maine CDC reports 57 new cases of COVID-19 statewide and 36 more people who have recovered. Dr. Nirav Shah says it's concerning that Maine's numbers have risen by at least 50 new cases each day for three consecutive days. He urges residents to continue to wear their face coverings and avoid gatherings.

An Orono woman is facing charges for allegedly filling out her former roommate's absentee ballot and sending it in. Secretary of State Matt Dunlap says the ballot allegedly filled out by Alyssa Dau was stopped before it was processed.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services announced this week that 60% of Maine Affordable Healthcare customers qualify for low cost coverage that would cost less than $75 a month, and 40% would pay less than $10 a month.

Bangor city officials say the Esteven Gomez monument will be removed from the Bangor waterfront, in response to concerns expressed by members of the Penobscot Nation. Gomez is considered the first European explorer to sail up the Penobscot, but is also said to have captured 50 indigenous people, with plans to sell them into slavery.

A vigil will be held on Thursday afternoon in Bar Harbor that will remember the lives of nurses and frontline healthcare workers who lost their lives to COVID-19, and discuss what measures could be taken to better protect those still working. The vigil will begin at 5:30 Thursday evening at the Village Green in Bar Harbor.

Challenger Learning Center in Bangor is holding its annual spud drive, selling bags of Aroostook County russets to support the center's STEM educational programs. The potatoes are $25 for a 50 pound bag and, reduced to $20 for anyone buying two or more.

Some Theatre Company in Bangor will present 'The Woman in Black,' a spooky Halloween play that organizers say will scare the wits out of you. Audience members are required to wear face masks and seating is socially distanced for the shows that will run Thursday through Sunday. Tickets can be purchased through the theatre's website.