Bangor jail overcrowding / School mask guidelines / Affordable housing

Today is Thursday. Temperatures will be in the high 80s to mid-70s from north to south, with mostly sunny skies to the north and cloudy skies and a chance for rain in the south. Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.

The latest on the coronavirus

Two more Mainers have died and another 191 coronavirus cases have been reported across the state, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The death toll now stands at 909.

More places in Maine are now requiring proof of vaccination, including the Portland State Theater and the Bangor Arts Exchange. Lost your vaccination card? Here’s what to do to get a replacement.

Bangor-area school districts split Wednesday night over requiring students to wear face coverings when classes resume this fall. Bangor and Orono will require masks within schools, while schools in Hampden-based RSU 22 will not. Meanwhile, face coverings will be temporarily required indoors at all seven of the University of Maine System campuses regardless of vaccination status.

Hampden closes town office after staff member tests positive for COVID

As precautionary measures, other staff members are getting tested for the virus and the office will be deep-cleaned.

2 Houlton health facilities closed to public as COVID-19 spreads 

The Gardiner Health Care Facility and the Madigan Estates Nursing Home are closed to visitors after having reported multiple cases of COVID-19 at their facilities.

What one Maine city is doing to fight the effects of urban heat

Biddeford is regularly experiencing temperatures far higher than surrounding suburban and rural areas. On average, 6 degrees warmer.

Home health agencies and paramedics fear staff exits after Maine’s vaccine mandate

There is increased worry among behavioral health agencies and paramedics that it will add to long-standing staffing shortages.

Maine’s delta variant surge has largely spared nursing homes

There have been about 40 COVID-19 cases in five long-term care home outbreaks since the beginning of July.

Maine’s affordable housing problem is pricing people out of their communities

As the housing market tightens, Mainers are being priced out of their communities.

Penobscot County Jail risks losing its license due to overcrowding

The jail had 39 more people than it is licensed to hold on Wednesday.

Traveling across the border into Canada is a difficult but rewarding process

Houlton Pioneer Times staff writer Alexander MacDougall went through the process of crossing the Canadian border to understand the new protocol — and get a Dairy Queen burger.

Eagle snares a gray squirrel in this dramatic trail camera photo

On Aug. 9, Rick Noffsinger’s camera captured this amazing photo of a bald eagle that has just snared a gray squirrel in its talons.

In other Maine news

Man accused of ‘road rage’ shooting in Lamoine

Blue lobster caught off Portland coast

Man accused of cutting Bangor police officer with knife during struggle

19-year-old loses prosthetic leg while tubing in Maine lake

Orrington native named new softball coach at UMaine

COVID-19 changes plans for Brewer mixed-martial arts fighter’s bout this weekend