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1. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Maine on Monday dropped below 200 for the first time in 18 days. Maine’s average rate of daily vaccinations increased by 87 percent last week, reaching the highest level in roughly four months. (PRESS HERALD)
2. Portland City Council decided against a mask mandate. Instead, the Council voted to adopt a public information and outreach campaign about the importance of stopping the spread of COVID. (WGME)
3. Hundreds of asylum seekers are staying in Portland-area hotels with nowhere else to go. People are coming from all over: from Africa, the Middle East and South America. The Quality Housing Coalition is looking for landlords to join its Project Home program. (WGME)
4. Sunday marked the start of the 171st annual Fryeburg Fair. Last year’s in-person fair was canceled due to the pandemic. The Fryeburg Fair typically attracts about 200,000 people each year. The fair runs through October 10th. (WGME)
5. Portland is seeking the “perfect tree” for Monument Square this holiday season. The ideal tree would be an evergreen, spruce or fir in Greater Portland between 45-60 feet tall and relatively accessible with no power lines or other obstructions. (WGME)