Local Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource Center: Alerts, Closings, Cancellations

Scarborough, Maine -- In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Hannaford Supermarkets is donating $750,000 to numerous hunger relief and homeless outreach organizations throughout the Northeast as they work to support some of the most at-risk members of the community during the pandemic.

The health crisis and related economic impact are creating unprecedented demand for food assistance, resulting in operational disruptions and significant new costs for the agencies that provide emergency…

Normally, Red’s Eats and Sprague’s Lobster are almost open now. But in the coronavirus spring, their owners do not know when the food stands on opposite sides of Route 1 in Wiscasset will start their seasons.

Red’s Eats’ Facebook page announced plans Feb. 21 for an April 20 opening, weather permitting. Then on March 27, a post read: “Many are asking and we are trying to stay very positive ... but due to COVID-19, we have to take things day by day. Please stay tuned for our 2020…

Social distancing could not keep Wiscasset school staff from telling students they miss them and that “Every little thing’s going to be alright.” The staff’s rendition of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” on YouTube Monday morning and shared on the school department’s website, was closing in on 1,000 views before sunset.

“I think it is amazing that so many people are getting to see Wiscasset teachers singing together for our kids! We are…

Christmas break doesn’t exist in China. We might celebrate the holiday with the children we teach, share the joys of secret gifts, Christmas carols, candy canes, and flying reindeer – but we don’t get the week off, or even the day. For those of us in this foreign country, the holiday we look forward to the most is Chinese New Year. The date follows the lunar calendar so it’s not the same each year but usually occurs between late January or February. What does remain standard is the entire…

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation has awarded Central Lincoln County (CLC) YMCA a COVID-19 assistance grant in the amount of $10,000. This special grant program is to support non-profit organizations like the CLC YMCA that are helping to provide assistance services and supplies to people in need as a result of this pandemic.

Since the CLC Y facility closed on March 17, CLC YMCA’s Karen-Ann Hagar, Youth, Teen & Outreach director, has been acting as a community navigator by…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, April 6, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 499 cases confirmed across the state. 

One hundred fifty-eight people in Maine have recovered from COVID-19, while 10 people have passed. Ninety-two people have been hospitalized across the state. 

In a March 30 press briefing, Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah noted there are more than 6,000 negative cases. “Because of the number of outside labs…

Action for Animals Maine is a non-profit foundation serving pet owners in Lincoln County. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, local pet owners may be facing challenges with reduced income and difficulty obtaining essential pet supplies. Action for Animals Maine is now offering assistance to provide pet food and supplies to those in need.

Our supply of pet food is limited, so we cannot provide a specific brand of cat or dog food, but will gladly share what we have. We encourage you…

On his college search 20 years ago, my son Noah emerged from the subway at Union Square, Manhattan and lit up with joy. It was as if growing up in Whitefield and Newcastle was merely the first chapter in his book of memories. He had skipped over two generations to find a new home in the Big Apple (his middle name is Apple). It was in the 1930s when my parents left New York City during the Great Depression to live in rural New Hampshire. They had a victory garden then and Noah grew up in…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, April 5, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 470 cases confirmed across the state. 

One hundred fifty-six people in Maine have recovered from COVID-19, while 10 people have passed. Eighty-six people have been hospitalized across the state. 

In a March 30 press briefing, Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah noted there are more than 6,000 negative cases. “Because of the number of outside labs…

AUGUSTA — After receiving an unprecedented number of unemployment claims due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Maine Department of Labor has instituted a new alphabetical-by-last-name call-in schedule for Maine people filing for unemployment benefits. The new schedule will help reduce phone line congestion as the Department ramps up its capacity to receive and process claims.

Starting Monday, April 6, Maine people seeking to file for unemployment by calling the 800 number with…

Amid social distancing and self isolation to beat COVID-19, the idea of staying home can terrify those experiencing domestic violence.

Like many domestic violence organizations, New Hope for Women is moving to 100% online and over-the-phone support, said Director Rebekah Paredes. NHFW is working tirelessly to continue its swift, helpful response to victims.

“We primarily work with folks over the phone and we are still here to assist them (so) the main tenets of the work we do…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced the 10th COVID-19 death in the state. 

The individual was from York County and was a male in his 70s. 

Below is a table of all the COVID-19 cases in Maine resulting in deaths. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, April 4, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 456 cases confirmed across the state. 

One hundred forty people in Maine have recovered from COVID-19, while 10 people have passed. Eighty-three people have been hospitalized across the state. 

In a March 30 press briefing, Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah noted there are more than 6,000 negative cases. “Because of the number of outside labs that…

Some of Wiscasset’s biggest spring and summer events are off, on, or in limbo as organizers keep safety first and cite other factors the pandemic has wrought on plans for the annual must-go’s.

Wiscasset Art Walk, historically the last Thursday in June though September, is on hold but, so far, not out of the picture for 2020. Longtime organizer Lucia Droby explained via email: “Since the WAW invites people to gather, meet neighbors, make new friends, and visit galleries and shops, the…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills issued April 3 an Executive Order mandating travelers arriving in Maine, regardless of their state of residency, self-quarantine for 14 days to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, according to a news release.

The Order, which directs the Maine Department of Transportation, the Maine Turnpike Authority, and others to post this guidance at all major points of entry into the State, exempts individuals who are providing essential services as defined by…

In response to the national emergency created by COVID-19 and Maine Governor Janet Mills’ Executive Order of March 31, 2020, which mandates that Maine citizens “Stay Healthy at Home” through at least April 30, the Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District’s Board of Supervisors made the difficult decision to cancel our Spring Plant Sale, scheduled for May 2 and 3 at Union Fairgrounds. This includes the public sale and all pre-order sales. Although the sale itself falls outside the…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, April 3, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 432 cases confirmed across the state. 

One hundred thirteen people in Maine have recovered from COVID-19, while nine people have passed. Seventy-five people have been hospitalized across the state. 

In a March 30 press briefing, Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah noted there are more than 6,000 negative cases. “Because of the number of outside labs…

AUGUSTA — During a daily briefing from Augusta, the Maine CDC confirmed April 3 the passing of two additional individuals due to COVID-19, bringing the state’s death toll to nine. 

Both individuals were Cumberland County residents, one was a male in his 70s and one was a female in her 80s. The former was a Veteran patient at the VA…

COVID-19 has made all our lives more difficult, but for Maine’s more than 5,000 community fishermen and seafood businesses, this is a crisis far beyond being trapped at home. Seafood sales, and the entire seafood marketplace, have been upended, undermining businesses and creating uncertainty and fear for the future of Maine’s fishermen. In response, today, MCFA launched a Covid-19 fishermen resource guide which is a clearinghouse of information for issues related to COVID-19.

…

The Animal House, a holistic pet suppy store with locations in Westbrook and Damariscotta, have created two new funds: “Sheltering-in-Place,” which helps provide Animal House food and supplies for area rescues, and “Neighbor-to-Neighbor,” which supports community residents with food and litter during this time of need.

Nearly $2,000 in Animal House gift cards have been donated so far.

Animal House president Aubrey Martin released a statement last week remarking on the…

AUGUSTA, Maine – The current “Stay Healthy at Home” mandate identifies “engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running, or biking” as essential personal activities, provided they are conducted in accordance with all public health restrictions and guidance. Maine’s conservation community, natural resource agencies, and outdoor brands want everyone to have the…

The Woolwich Select Board will meet Monday, April 20 to decide whether or not to postpone the annual town meeting in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Town meeting is tentatively planned for 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 20 in the Woolwich Central School gymnasium.

“I wish I could say more but at this point we don’t know,” Chairman David King Sr. told Wiscasset Newspaper Wednesday morning, April 1.

King said the board might choose to postpone the town meeting again, or continue…

In an effort to protect our students and instructors and in order to comply with stay-at-home orders currently in place, the Wawenock Sail and Power Squadron® has canceled the one-day recreational boating safety course at the Boothbay Region YMCA that was scheduled for Saturday April 25. A new date will be announced when it is safe to do so.

If you have any additional questions contact Rob Whitehouse, Squadron Education Officer at WhitehouseUSPS@gmail.com or 207-208-7343.

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, April 2, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 376 cases confirmed across the state. 

Ninety-four people in Maine have recovered from COVID-19, while seven people have passed. Sixty-eight people have been hospitalized across the state. 

In a March 30 press briefing, Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah noted there are more than 6,000 negative cases. “Because of the number of outside labs that are…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills issued an Executive Order extending the State’s property tax exemption deadline, according to a news release.

The order, which took effect March 31, extends the statutory April 1 deadline to either the commitment date of the municipality (the date set each year, usually in July, when the Tax Assessors commit the town’s assessment roll to the Tax Collector to allow for the receipt of payment), or 30 days after the termination of the Governor’s…

“We’re all in this together.”

No, apparently we’re not. Some of us seem to be entitled to more than others. More toilet paper, more hand sanitizer, more – you name it. For some people, this virus is bringing out the worst in their behavior.

Most of us watched in horror as television news showed young adults crowding the beaches over spring break, wondering why they didn’t understand that their actions could harm others around them.

But from Hawaii to Maine, resort…

AUGUSTA — With the approval of an additional waiver submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and additional bulk packaging options, the Maine Department of Education has been able to add significant flexibility to its school food service programs, enabling schools to provide meals to students all over Maine, increasing the potential to reach even more hungry children in a more meaningful way, a news release stated. 

The first waiver obtained by the Maine DOE expanded…

AUGUSTA — An additional two COVID-19 deaths have been announced April 1 by the Maine CDC, bringing the state’s death toll to seven. 

Both individuals were women in their 80s and were hospitalized at their respective times of death. 

The April 1 announced deaths follow a pair of deaths in Cumberland County announced March 29…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, April 1, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 344 cases confirmed across the state. 

Eighty people in Maine have recovered from COVID-19, while seven people have passed. Sixty-three people have been hospitalized across the state. 

In a March 30 press briefing, Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah noted there are more than 6,000 negative cases. “Because of the number of outside labs that are…

The Maine Dental Association has submitted the following statement:

A number of dental practices throughout Maine have donated personal protective equipment to their local hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and first responders, in an effort to help fight the spread of COVID-19, and aid in the response.

According to information collected by the Maine Dental Association from its members, more than 25 practices have donated more than 10,000 masks and more than 20,000…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills issued March 31 a series of substantial new mandates to protect public health and safety in the face of COVID-19, including a Stay Healthy at Home directive that requires people living in Maine to stay at home at all times unless for an essential job or an essential personal reason, such as obtaining food, medicine, health care, or other necessary purposes.

The Governor also mandated a series of other new restrictions, including:

AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Labor has opted in to new temporary federal unemployment programs to provide relief to people in Maine affected by COVID-19, according to a news release. 

Congress enacted and the President signed the new CARES Act which includes these provisions on Friday, March 28. On Saturday the 29th, the state completed the documentation to begin the process for receiving the new federal unemployment funds.

Because Maine already had in place emergency…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC reported Tuesday, March 31 an additional two deaths in the state from COVID-19, bringing the state’s death total to five. 

The new cases are individuals with full-time residency in Kennebec County, where 12 people have tested positive, and York County, where 59 people have tested positive. 

Both individuals were women in their 80’s and were in hospitals at their respective times of death. 

The two new deaths follow a…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, March 31, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 303 cases confirmed across the state. 

Sixty-eight people in Maine have recovered from COVID-19, while five people have passed. Fifty-seven people have been hospitalized across the state. 

In a March 30 press briefing, Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah noted there are more than 6,000 negative cases. “Because of the number of outside labs that are…

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we regret to announce that the opening reception for the 15th annual Maine Photography Show (MPS) , scheduled for Saturday, April 4, is cancelled.

Award winners of the 2020 show will be notified directly and the winners announced on www.mainephotoshow.org at 2 p.m. on April 4.

And, because the photo show is a “non-essential business,” the MPS committee has had to postpone the exhibition. However, the work is posted on the MPS website as…

Free face masks are in the making in Wiscasset for a 4-year-old with cancer, some nurses in and outside Maine, and others seeking masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the residents donating the fabric, their time sewing, or both. Residents interviewed via phone, email and text described multiple ongoing efforts to make and distribute masks.

King Family Farm’s June King has been a registered nurse 30 years, so she has a lot of friends in healthcare and she, her family and…

AUGUSTA — Governor Mills and Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Jeanne Lambrew announced March 30 the acceleration of pay increases for personal care workers and expanding access to meals for older Mainers who are home-bound in response to COVID-19, according to a news release. 

Maine DHHS will accelerate MaineCare (Medicaid) rate increases that are designated to support pay raises for personal care workers, including personal support specialists, home…

The Lincoln County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, April 7 at 9 a.m. will be by conference call.

To listen in, please call the number listed and use the access code highlighted.

Attached is a participant guide if you have questions on how to use the service.

The public comment option from the agenda has been suspended until we can resume in-person meetings.

We anticipate meeting telephonically until we are advised by the state to resume normal meetings.…

Central Lincoln County (CLC) YMCA has extended the closure of the main facility and child care site until April 27. Management will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with the town of Damariscotta, LincolnHealth, and the superintendent of the AOS93 school district to align with consistency on best practices.

CLC YMCA continues their virtual online fitness classes and has now added virtual story time and activities for child care participants. Outreach efforts are…

In an effort to provide one stop shopping for anyone seeking local resources and information in Lincoln County, the EMA Emergency Operation Center has created a webpage where groups and organizations in Lincoln County can submit this information to be shared. https://www.lincolncountymaine.me/covid-19

This webpage is made available to any organization in Lincoln County that is providing a…

Julia Truesdell brought smiles to the faces of those staying at home on Monday afternoon with her original song, “We’re all at home.” The homeschooled eighth grader posted a video recording of the song on her YouTube music channel. With catchy lyrics such as “we’re all at home, no place that we can go, but you can be assured, everyone feels the same, cooped up inside, going insane,” and a ukulele accompaniment, her tune had already garnered over 250 views on YouTube as of 8:30 p.m. Monday…

Dear Editor:

On behalf of the providers of Lincoln Medical Partners I want you to know that we miss you. Even though the reason for your visit is often listed as a “chief complaint,” we looking forward to seeing you every day. We look forward to hearing about your lives and families. We look forward to measuring your growth, learning of new achievements, and helping you set future goals.

We love the challenge of trying to figure out what might be causing that nagging pain,…

PORTLAND---The Diocese of Portland has informed Maine parishes of the protocols that will be in place for the celebration of the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter.

All celebrations must be limited to/not exceed 10 people or less, including all clergy, and will not be open to the public due to the regulations currently in place in Maine as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Without public Masses and commemorations, there will be unprecedented live-streaming and broadcasting of liturgies…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, March 30, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 275 cases confirmed. Forty-one people in Maine have recovered from COVID-19, while three people have passed. Forty-nine people have been hospitalized across the state. 

In a press briefing, Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah noted there are more than 6,000 negative cases. “Because of the number of outside labs that are testing samples from Maine, it is no…

With the COVID-19 outbreak, many residents have been adapting to working remotely. What it means to work from home varies greatly for each profession and for Lorna Weber of Wiscasset, it means two very different professions. Weber is both an assistant vice president mortgage loan officer at the First National Bank in Boothbay Harbor and a fitness instructor at Wiscasset Community Center (WCC). Both jobs have now become remote, and she’s made some unique adjustments to make it work.

…

Since Maine’s first case of COVID-19 was announced on March 12, individuals across our state have sprung into action. People in our community have quickly adapted to protect public health, from temporarily closing schools and businesses to moving to remote work, practicing social distancing and more. I am grateful and proud for the consideration and support we are providing each other, and wanted to provide some additional insight and resources.

In our coastal community, I know many…

Under extraordinary circumstances, leaders of the Maine State Legislature came together working tirelessly throughout the March 14-15 weekend and reached agreement on a package of new laws to address the immediate needs of state government in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The following Tuesday, the last day of the recent legislative session, the entire State Legislature passed, and Governor Mills signed those changes in law granting special temporary powers to the governor to…

Wiscasset residents have been showing support in the fight against COVID-19 by displaying lights.

Here are some from March 28. Are you displaying lights or another sign of support? To share it, email a photo and your name and town to news@wiscassetnewspaper.com

While the First Congregation Church of Wiscasset, UCC, and St. Philip’s Episcopal Church are closed to the public until further notice, Rev. Josh Fitterling and Rev. Marcia Richardson will celebrate Holy Week via email and Facebook

On April 5, Palm Sunday, Rev. Fitterling will conduct a worship service beginning at 10 a.m. which may be viewed on Facebook or via email (fccw@myfairpoint.net).

Also, on Palm Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., the public is invited to pick up a palm and…

UPDATE: In response to the national emergency created by COVID-19 and Maine Governor Janet Mills’ Executive Order of March 31, 2020, which mandates that Maine citizens “Stay Healthy at Home” through at least April 30, the Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District’s Board of Supervisors made the difficult decision to cancel our Spring Plant Sale, scheduled for May 2 and 3, 2020 at Union Fairgrounds. This includes the public sale and all pre-order sales. Although the…

AUGUSTA — Two additional individuals from Maine have passed away due to COVID-19, according to the Maine CDC. 

The Maine CDC website was updated with the new death count at 2:20 p.m., though the county of residence for the individuals was not posted to the Maine CDC website. 

Both WGME and…

Forty donors donated to the Red Cross blood drive on March 26 at the Central Lincoln County YMCA. The blood drive was co-sponsored by the Second Congregational Church, UCC in Newcastle and the CLC YMCA. 

The blood drive was originally planned to be hosted at 2nd Congo, one of the bi-monthly drives the church has committed to. A week ago it was determined by church leadership that the use of the church’s Fellowship Hall, normally the site for blood drives, wouldn’t…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, March 29, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine. Today, there are 253 cases confirmed. 

Forty-one people in Maine have recovered from COVID-19, while one person has passed. 

By sex, 129 males tested positive in the state and 124 females tested positive. 

Confirmed Cases: This number represents tests that come back positive from any approved lab.

Negative Tests: This number represents…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, March 28, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine. Today, there are 211 cases confirmed. 

Thirty-six people in Maine have since recovered from COVID-19, while one person has passed. 

By sex, 104 males tested positive in the state and 107 females tested positive. 

Confirmed Cases: This number represents tests that come back positive from any approved lab.

Negative Tests: This number…