Maine CDC head: State can top 70% vaccinated for COVID-19
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine is approaching getting 70% of its eligible residents fully vaccinated for coronavirus, and the director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention says he sees that figure as more of a floor than a ceiling. Maine has been one of the most successful states at getting vaccines to residents. Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said in a news conference that he considers it too early to tell how high the state’s final number could be, but he intends to push for more. He said the emergence of the delta variant is one reason the state will keep its vaccination drive active.
Speeding motorist who said passenger had to go arrested
How Maine is limiting evictions, providing relief
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The end of tenant protections by July 31 has raised concerns about a spike in evictions in Maine. The state is awaiting an additional $150 million in federal relief that will be funneled by MaineHousing into rental assistance programs run by community action programs. People left homeless face a tough tight housing market. The Maine Association of Realtors reports that the median home value has grown by double digits every month starting last summer.
Missing 4-year-old boy found dead in Windham
WINDHAM, Maine (AP) — Police are investigating the death of a 4-year-old boy whose body was found hours after being reported missing in Windham. Police used dogs, drones and a Maine Warden Service plane, along with foot searches, to look for the boy Thursday afternoon, and found him dead at 7:20 p.m. The boy, identified as Sulaiman Muhiddin, was described a nonverbal. Details of his death were not released. The case remains under investigation by the Windham Police Department.
Sen. Collins gets another GOP rebuke for impeachment vote
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Some Republicans in Maine are still angry over GOP Sen. Susan Collins’ vote to impeach former President Donald Trump. Five months later, the Kennebec County Republican Committee voted this week at a special meeting to censure her. Republican committees in two other counties, Piscataquis and Aroostook, previously cast similar votes. Collins enjoys broad support from constituents despite those votes. The state GOP committee voted overwhelmingly against rebuking her, and she easily won a fifth term in office in November.
FAIRFIELD, Maine (AP) — A Maine driver clocked at 110 mph in a 45 mph zone told police his passenger had to go. As in, find a restroom. An officer gave pursuit after the motorist traveled at a whopping 65 mph above the posted speed limit on Tuesday in Fairfield. No one was hurt in the pursuit, which ended in a convenience store parking lot. Police said the passenger went inside to use the restroom while the driver was arrested on charges of criminal speeding, operating after suspension and driving under the influence.
Sen. Collins gets another GOP rebuke for impeachment vote
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Some Republicans in Maine are still angry over GOP Sen. Susan Collins’ vote to impeach former President Donald Trump. Five months later, the Kennebec County Republican Committee voted this week at a special meeting to censure her. Republican committees in two other counties, Piscataquis and Aroostook, previously cast similar votes. Collins enjoys broad support from constituents despite those votes. The state GOP committee voted overwhelmingly against rebuking her, and she easily won a fifth term in office in November.
POLYSTYRENE FOAM BAN
Maine’s ban of polystyrene foam takes effect on July 1
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine environmental officials say the state’s ban on polystyrene foam disposable food containers will take effect on July 1. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection said the ban had been scheduled to go into effect on January 1, but was delayed because of disruption in packaging supplies due to the coronavirus pandemic. The new rules apply to restaurants, stores and numerous other eating establishments. Maine DEP said the rules also apply to workplace cafes, public and private schools, hospital cafeterias and other locations. The agency said businesses that use the polystyrene foam should acquire alternatives for use in the future.
SCHOOL CHOICE-MAINE
High court to rule whether to hear Maine school choice case
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The justices of the U.S. Supreme Court are deciding whether to hear a case filed by Maine families who want to use a state tuition program to send their children to religious schools. The case concerns a Maine Department of Education rule that allows families who live in towns that don’t have public schools to receive tuition to send their children to the public or private school of their choosing. The program excludes religious schools. The justices were slated to meet to consider whether to hear the case on Thursday.
MAINE LEGISLATURE-YOUTH CENTER
Maine governor vetoes bill to shutter youth detention center
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Janet Mills has vetoed a bill to close the state’s only youth detention center, her office announced Thursday, creating an obstacle for those who want to close the facility. Mills is a former prosecutor and attorney general. She called the bill to close the Long Creek Youth Center in South Portland “simplistic solution to a complex issue.” She also said she remains committed to bringing “necessary change” to the juvenile justice system. The bill was sent to the governor’s desk after a 19-15 vote in the Senate that was far shy of a two-thirds majority needed to overcome a veto.
PIZZA DOUGH-TAMPERING
Man who put razor blades in pizza dough pleads guilty
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A man accused of tampering with pizza dough at supermarkets in Maine and New Hampshire has pleaded guilty in federal court. An agreement caps Nicholas Mitchell’s sentence at four years and nine months for one count of tampering with a consumer product. He was arrested in October 2020 after razor blades were found in pizza dough sold at a Hannaford supermarket in Saco. The crime led to a recall of the pizza dough at Hannaford stores in five states. The recall later extended to Shaw’s and Star Markets.