RJ Bourgeois, 8, and his sister, Sophie, 4, create individual packets of school supplies Monday at their home in Greene. RJ’s fundraiser to provide gifts for children took a different spin this winter because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The money raised paid for school supplies for Lewiston and Auburn students learning from home.GREENE — When COVID-19 got in the way, RJ Bourgeois found a way around it.For the past two Christmases the 8-year-old from Greene had sold crafts and “Ninja Bread” at fairs to raise money for gifts to patients at Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, where he...…RJ Bourgeois, 8, and his sister, Sophie, 4, create individual packets of school supplies Monday at their home in Greene. RJ’s fundraiser to provide gifts for children took a different spin this winter because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The money raised paid for school supplies for Lewiston and Auburn students learning from home.GREENE — When COVID-19 got in the way, RJ Bourgeois found a way around it.For the past two Christmases the 8-year-old from Greene had sold crafts and “Ninja Bread” at fairs to raise money for gifts to patients at Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, where he...WW…

Maine state park campgrounds set an all-time attendance record during the pandemic – with 280,362 camping visitors.For the first time, attendance at Maine’s state parks topped 3 million last year, despite parks being closed in the spring and the because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry reported Monday.In all, 3,067,112 people visited Maine’s state parks in 2020. There were 2,786,750 day-use visitors, up 3 percent (or 75,532) from 2019 and better than the 2018 record of 2,718,924. The 280,362 camping visitors last year was an 8...…Maine state park campgrounds set an all-time attendance record during the pandemic – with 280,362 camping visitors.For the first time, attendance at Maine’s state parks topped 3 million last year, despite parks being closed in the spring and the because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry reported Monday.In all, 3,067,112 people visited Maine’s state parks in 2020. There were 2,786,750 day-use visitors, up 3 percent (or 75,532) from 2019 and better than the 2018 record of 2,718,924. The 280,362 camping visitors last year was an 8...WW…

The Maine State House is illuminated at dusk on Monday. Maine’s Department of Public Safety says it has increased security around the building and will continue to make adjustments in the days leading up President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.Maine is among the states that has begun to beef up security around the State House and other government buildings in Augusta following the insurrection by President Trump’s supporters at the U.S. Capitol last week and the threat of more violence by extremists seeking to reverse the election.Five people, including one police officer, died after Trump...…The Maine State House is illuminated at dusk on Monday. Maine’s Department of Public Safety says it has increased security around the building and will continue to make adjustments in the days leading up President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.Maine is among the states that has begun to beef up security around the State House and other government buildings in Augusta following the insurrection by President Trump’s supporters at the U.S. Capitol last week and the threat of more violence by extremists seeking to reverse the election.Five people, including one police officer, died after Trump...WW…

Shoppers at Bridgton Books at 140 Main St. comply Friday with state mask regulations meant to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.Since July, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has been calling on Americans to use face coverings when in public, saying the .In following months, several states began issuing mandates requiring people to wear masks at public places. By mid-November, 36 states had issued such mandates.In early November in Maine, regardless of physical distance from other people. The move was immediately the focus of controversy. Some saw the mandate as a wise...…Shoppers at Bridgton Books at 140 Main St. comply Friday with state mask regulations meant to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.Since July, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has been calling on Americans to use face coverings when in public, saying the .In following months, several states began issuing mandates requiring people to wear masks at public places. By mid-November, 36 states had issued such mandates.In early November in Maine, regardless of physical distance from other people. The move was immediately the focus of controversy. Some saw the mandate as a wise...WW…

Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services expanded its free swab and send testing program to anyone above the age of 12 months. The program was limited to those exhibiting symptoms prior to September 22. REGION — Due to the state’s expanded coronavirus testing capacity which is now at 400 tests per 100,000 people, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has extended its free swab and send testing program to all individuals until October 31. Previously, the exclusively served those who were exhibiting symptoms or had a separate order from their health care...…Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services expanded its free swab and send testing program to anyone above the age of 12 months. The program was limited to those exhibiting symptoms prior to September 22. REGION — Due to the state’s expanded coronavirus testing capacity which is now at 400 tests per 100,000 people, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has extended its free swab and send testing program to all individuals until October 31. Previously, the exclusively served those who were exhibiting symptoms or had a separate order from their health care...WW…