Recycling struggles / Thrifty Mainers / ‘COVID buck’

Today is Monday. Temperatures will be in the teens to high 20s north to south with sunshine expected statewide. Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.

The latest on the coronavirus in Maine

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention will update COVID-19 data since Saturday by 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Check out our tracker for more information.

Maine is seeing COVID-19 infections climbing steadily among older people so far this month.

Bangor has no plans to follow the lead of Portland and Brunswick in passing a local mask requirement amid the escalating spread of the omicron variant.

As more Mainers confront the virus, here is what to do and avoid doing if you test positive.

Omicron stresses Maine restaurants balancing safety with staying open

The spreading virus, occasional restaurant closures and ongoing staffing shortages are adding more financial stress on top of already reduced business hours, supply chain issues and rising costs.

Maine schools expect rise in COVID cases to continue

Bangor-area schools already have begun to see a rise in COVID-19 cases in the week since students returned from their winter break.

Bangor-area towns have no recycling more than 18 months after Hampden trash plant shuttered

Communities that stopped recycling are staking their hopes of reviving the practice on a new buyer coming in and restarting the Coastal Resources of Maine plant.

Hermon hunter shakes off illness to shoot 215-pound ‘COVID buck’

Unknowingly suffering from COVID-19, Chris Richards shook off illness, exhaustion and stormy weather to experience one of his greatest thrills in the woods.

Mainers are thrifting for furniture and cars as supply chain problems make new items scarce

Even experienced secondhand sellers have noticed an increased demand as the pandemic disrupted the supply chain.

Artist who paints with sounds captures the moments that make Maine beautiful

A channel buoy duet is just one of many expressive moments Dianne Ballon captured last summer.

Crews building underwater supports for Madawaska’s new international bridge

Construction on the bridge began in September. The new bridge is targeted for completion in 2023.

In other Maine news …

Bangor woman dies in Maine Correctional Center

Aroostook County man dies in Arundel crash

Wrong-way driver on Maine Turnpike causes multiple crashes

Portland city councilor says he’s getting threats after vote on indoor mask mandate

Trial of Auburn man accused of killing Alaska woman starts Monday

Stony Brook opens with 14-0 run to beat UMaine basketball women

Midcoast school district staff will soon be able to administer life-saving Narcan