Local Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource Center: Alerts, Closings, Cancellations
Edgecomb postpones town meeting, election
In light of the uncertainty around the Covid-19 crisis, the selectboard of the town of Edgecomb has postponed the town’s annual meeting and election scheduled for May 16. Both will be rescheduled at a date to be determined when events normalize.
“The state has enacted special measures that will allow the town to operate (pay its bills, accept payments, etc.) without a new budget voted into place, provided the town operates on the current year’s budget,” explained Jack Sarmanian,… Read more
Hannaford Supermarkets dedicates shopping hours for high-risk, vulnerable customers
Scarborough, Maine —Hannaford Supermarkets announced effective Tuesday, March 24 that its stores will offer dedicated shopping hours for people age 60 and older, as well as those with compromised immune systems. Stores will open early from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Tuesday through Thursday to service this vulnerable population and allow a less crowded shopping environment, which enables better social distancing.
… Read moreUpdates on everything food in Boothbay region
While word spreads fast across the peninsula, we want to share with you all updates concerning food and food services from closures to curbside ordering to some who will continue to serve the public. If we’ve missed your business or if plans have changed, please email news@boothbayregister.com
Boothbay Region Food Pantry will continue to operate on Fridays (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) as usual, said BRFP’s Doreen Dun. The pantry will also be providing as much as possible for non-clients. “… Read more
Message from AOS 98 superintendent
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we approach the end of week one of this unprecedented national and world-emergency, I want to commend everyone for the collaboration, problem-solving, and superb decision-making taking place. We are creatively confronting the myriad of challenges this virus has wrought upon us. It is astounding to witness us coming together as a community to support our teachers, our staff, and our students.
Our first concern when we closed was that our kids… Read more
Maine Delegation: Protect workers’ health at BIW
The Maine Delegation wrote to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly today, urging them to take action to protect the health of shipyard employees during the COVID-19 outbreak.
In their letter, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden said that the safety of shipyard workers is “paramount.” They also told Secretary Esper and Acting Secretary Modly that they stood ready to provide the Department of… Read more
Student lunches this weekend at the Y
The Boothbay Region YMCA is providing lunch this weekend, March 21 and March 22. Curb side pick up at YMCA parking lot 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for Saturday and Sunday.
Fifty meals will be available each day -- first come, first serve. This will follow the same “rules” as the school lunch program: Any child of our area 18 and under. No income requirement.
Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club cancellations
The Boothbay Haror Rotary Club is cancelling all club activities, including the rental of the hall, through the end of April in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Weekly meetings are suspended through and including April 30.
The Soup Bowl supper has been postponed. Hopefully, we can hold it late spring. The Kentucky Derby Party is tentatively rescheduled to Sept. 5, the new date for the Kentucky Derby.
There will be no pick up of donated items until further notice. … Read more
Profiteers be warned: Maine has a law against price-gouging
Emergencies have a way of bringing out the best and worst in people and for those who tend toward the latter, Maine has a price-gouging law to protect consumers.
Under Title 10, MRSA, section 1105, which prohibits “profiteering,” the Governor must first declare that an “abnormal market disruption” has occurred. That took place on March 17, when Gov. Mills issued a proclamation stating, in part:
“NOW THEREFORE, I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine ... hereby… Read more
Governor Mills urges federal government, Vice President to release personal protection equipment from national stockpile
Shaw’s establishes reserved shopping hours for senior citizens, at-risk individuals
Shaw’s Supermarket will be making two hours available for senior citizens and at-risk community members to do their shopping on select days.
“To help ensure that the most at-risk members of our community who must leave home to obtain groceries are taken care of, we are reserving 7 AM to 9 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays for them,” the company posted to social media.
“During those times, we ask that you avoid shopping so that the stores can be available for senior citizens, and… Read more
Southport General Store adds delivery service for those in need
Among the many advantages of small community living is the potential to shift gear and support neighbors. At Southport General Store this week, it’s business as usual, but not!
Manager Nancy Long explained, “If any of our customers are sick, self-isolating, or in quarantine, we’re now able to deliver groceries. All they have to do is call in, place their order, and pay by credit card over the phone. We’ll then deliver to their home and leave the goods on the porch, no charge.”
… Read moreSpecial delivery service set up in Boothbay Harbor
A group of local volunteers is partnering with police and fire departments to set up a delivery service to bring food, medicine and other needs to homebound residents.
“We want folks to know we are available to help,” said Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch.
The group formed after state and national officials said the best way to contain COVID-19 is to limit contact with others. They advise people to go home and stay there. But we still have to go out to buy groceries or… Read more
All Masses in Maine temporarily suspended in response to CDC guidance on COVID-19
PORTLAND---With attention to the guidance from the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and upon consideration of the size of the usual congregations, Bishop Robert P. Deeley is temporarily suspending all daily and Sunday Masses and religious services throughout the Diocese of Portland (covering the entire state of Maine), effective immediately. The bishop is also issuing a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass for Maine Catholics during this time. There are nearly 300… Read more
Update on Boothbay region church services
–Boothbay Baptist Church has cancelled its services for now, as well as the Thursday night youth group meetings. Sunday sermons are being live-streamed on Boothbay Baptist Church’s and Steven Nash’s Facebook pages.
––Boothbay Region Community Fellowship in Boothbay is suspending services and meetings for at least two weeks. At 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, call phone number 1-425-436-6200, access code 160480 and join us in prayer.
–Barters Island Baptist Church is canceling its… Read more
Southport school offers work packets, food
While schools remain closed, Southport residents under the age of 18 can collect a bagged lunch from the schoolyard Monday through Friday between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
“We started yesterday,” said Principal Lisa Clarke Wednesday. “We had about six or eight children come by, but I expect that number will grow. There is a sign-up on the AOS 98 website but that’s just to give us an idea of numbers. No one will be turned away.”
Each bag will contain lunch for the day of… Read more
UPDATE: Lincoln County’s third COVID-19 case moves to ‘confirmed’
UPDATE: The state’s online chart updated Thursday, March 19 shows Lincoln County with three confirmed results for coronavirus, and still none listed for Sagadahoc County.
Original post; Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday, Lincoln County has a third presumptive positive test result for coronavirus. Word came online in the agency’s daily update at noon,… Read more
Boothbay transfer station changing procedures during outbreak
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the transfer station has implemented the following changes effective immediately:
1.The recycling building is now closed to the public. All recycling will be put into the trash to eliminate exposure for our staff. Our trash goes to Coastal Resource which pulls the recycling from the garbage automatically.
2.No picking/salvaging will be permitted. To eliminate any chance of groups and to keep the CDC recommended social distancing this will… Read more
UPDATED 3/20: Public hearing, board meeting March 23
Update: The public hearing will be live streamed. The Select Board has arranged for the public to safely participate in the March 23 public hearing by remote access. Note that public participants will not be permitted to attend this meeting in person in order to comply with the Governor’s ban.
The Select Board will allow the submission of public comments via video-conference. Individuals submitting comments this way will need to state their name and legal place of… Read more
Elective, non-essential services suspended at LincolnHealth
LincolnHealth is suspending elective medical procedures and postponing non-urgent, routine office visits to reduce community spread of coronavirus and redirect its most scarce and important resource – its care team members – to the patients who most need their help the most.
The public should not call to find out about their appointment. Patients will be informed by Friday, March 29.
Funeral homes taking precautions during virus outbreak
At Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, the families we serve are always our top priority. During confusing and concerning times such as the current COVID-19 event, we want to share our plans with you. We want to assure you that we are all in this together.
First, we are closely monitoring and following all guidelines from the CDC, National Funeral Directors Association, as well as all local and state… Read more
DHHS waiving copays for prescriptions, office visits, ER visits, radiology and lab services; allowing early refills of prescriptions
AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is taking immediate steps, according to a news release, to ensure access to critical services and benefits for Maine people while protecting the health of employees and the public in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
“We are acting swiftly to maintain Maine people's access to health care coverage, nutritious food, and support for basic necessities in the face of COVID-19, while also safeguarding… Read more
Boothbay seeking $100K to establish emergency fund
Bracing for an economic downturn, Boothbay selectmen are seeking voter approval to establish an emergency fund to combat the impact of the coronavirus. Selectmen called an emergency meeting March 17 to vote on calling a special town meeting requesting $100,000 from the municipal undesignated fund for providing economic assistance to citizens impacted by the State of Emergency resulting from the coronavirus.
The town meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, the same date as a… Read more
BRCRC office closed but offering services
Here at Boothbay Region Community Resource Council (BRCRC), we always want to consider the health and well-being of each member of our community while carrying out our mission. It is one of the ways in which we survive here on this peninsula: as one community together and we will do so to get through the current situation with the COVID-19 virus.
At this time,the BRCRC office will be closed to all clients and visitors. Our Community Navigator, Hannah Corkum, maybe reached via her… Read more
UPDATE: Second Lincoln County case moves to ‘confirmed’; Miles nurse presumptive positive for coronavirus is showing no symptoms
UPDATE: At noon Tuesday, March 17, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s daily update showed the Lincoln County man’s test results changed from presumptive positive to confirmed, making two confirmed cases for the county.
Original post: An intensive care unit nurse at LincolnHealth’s Miles Campus hospital in Damariscotta has tested presumptive positive for the coronavirus, is self-quarantining at home and has no symptoms of the virus, said Dr. Russ Mack, a senior… Read more
Help by promoting social distancing
Dear Editor:
We find ourselves dealing with an unprecedented health crisis. While plans are changing rapidly, the most important and consistent part of the plan is social distancing. COVID-19 is in our community, so we want to remind folks that we can all help by promoting social distancing.
1) What does that mean for you and your family? We recognize that the closure of schools, businesses, and day cares may be disruptive to our lives, but we support all decisions made by… Read more
UPDATED: All Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch offices closed to public
AUGUSTA — Effective Tuesday, March 17, all Bureau of Motor Vehicles' offices will be closed to the public until further notice to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Maine, according to a news release.
All of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles' Mobile Unit visits are also suspended until further notice.
The closure is in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among staff and the public, and will remain in place until further notice.
Secretary Dunlap, according to… Read more
Town managers provide guidance for accessing municipal services
As a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic and Governor Mills’ civil emergency declaration, the towns of Boothbay Harbor and Boothbay are taking additional precautions to ensure the safety of residents and town staff as we work to continue providing municipal services.
We are asking the assistance of the public to adhere to the following guidelines:
•Any person with flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing) should refrain from visiting the town… Read more
Learning, entertainment alternatives in coronavirus outbreak
Days into Maine’s state of emergency, social distancing and other novel terms have emerged. Seeing as they’re here for the foreseeable future, Boothbay Register is sharing some things adults and children can do to burn some time and maybe learn a few things.
From learning to doodle with Mo Willems to… Read more
MaineHealth to suspend elective procedures, non-urgent visits
Portland, Maine – The nine local health organizations within MaineHealth are suspending elective medical procedures and postponing non-urgent office visits to its practices in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Those cancellations are expected to take place by end of the day Friday.
“Supporting public health efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Maine is one of the approaches we can take to protect our patients, families and care teams,” said Joan Boomsma, MD, chief medical… Read more
BRLT offers healthy exercise and peace of mind in uncertain times
As a member of the Boothbay region for more than six years and an employee of Boothbay Region Land Trust, I am well versed in the many beautiful preserves that the land trust offers, free to the public all throughout the year. However, as I write, I have a renewed appreciation for the essential resource that our public lands offer each member of our community in these uncertain times.
This renewed appreciation comes from my recent experience living overseas. Since the beginning of… Read more