Today is Friday. Temperatures will be in the low teens to low 30s from north to south, with sunny skies across much of the state. Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.
The latest on the coronavirus in Maine
Four more Mainers have died and another 1,115 coronavirus cases reported across the state, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The statewide death toll now stands at 1,472.
Recently, the Dionne Commons assisted living facility in Brunswick was cited for continuing to employ health care workers who had not been vaccinated against COVID-19.
On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Merck’s pill as an at-home, over-the-counter drug to fight the coronavirus.
Ahead of the holiday weekend, experts recommend testing, small gatherings and masking to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Maine won’t resume daily COVID-19 case counts with some fearing national data gaps
Only 926 cases had been reported in June. Almost 20,000 cases have been reported from Dec. 1 to Thursday, Dec. 23.
Some Belfast councilors want to require COVID-19 vaccines for city workers
“If I had my druthers, I would like everybody to be vaccinated,” Councilor Brenda Bonneville said.
Holden police deliver toys and cash to local residents
The Holden Police Department was able to give presents, cash, donations and other gifts to people over the past few weeks in the name of holiday cheer.
Mom of transgender teen who died at Long Creek settles lawsuit with state for $225,000
Michelle Knowles alleged that despite suicide threats and attempts, staff at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland showed deliberate indifference to the serious risk that her 16-year-old son would injure himself by placing him in a cell that was neither suicide-resistant nor free of protrusions.
Wayne Newell, who helped preserve the Passamaquoddy language, dies at 79
Wayne Newell was the longtime director of bilingual education at the Indian Township School and directed the first bilingual-bicultural education program for Maine Indian Education in the 1970s.
Newly conserved island is final piece of Owls Head’s effort to increase coastal access
Last year, the town completed a project to build its own pier that the public can use for myriad purposes — from paddlers launching a kayak to fishermen who need to get to moored boats.
Longtime Bangor-area journalist TJ Tremble dies at age 65
Timothy Joseph Tremble received awards from the Maine Press Association, the Maine Association of Broadcasters and the Maine Associated Press Broadcasters Association.
Real estate agent sues Bar Harbor over new vacation rental regulations
“The town has chosen the wrong path here,” Erica Brooks, a broker with the Swan Agency, said Thursday.
4 ways how you hunt in Maine could change in 2022
Challenges to Maine’s hunting seasons include “forever chemicals,” ticks, an overhaul of the any-deer permit system and the persistence of COVID-19.
In other Maine news …
MCI field hockey star headed to Bentley University
Remains found of man who disappeared in LaGrange
Animal tranquilizers are driving fatal drug overdoses in the Northeast
Pittsfield council OKs $27.5K in pandemic bonuses for town employees
Maine trooper carries missing elderly man out of ditch
CDC warns of 2 listeria outbreaks tied to packaged salad
Tractor trailer crash in Medway shuts down I95 ramp for several hours
Inmate at Maine State Prison dies
