Gas prices stay about the same in northern New England
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Gas prices in northern New England have held about the same over the last week. Prices are up in the region and all over the country compared to last year, but stayed the same in Maine and New Hampshire last week. GasBuddy’s daily survey said Monday that the average price in Maine was $3.10 per gallon. The price in New Hampshire was $2.98 per gallon. Prices nosed up slightly in Vermont, where they went up 2.1 cents per gallon to $3.04 per gallon.
More than half Maine teens, 12-year-olds have had COVID shot
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The percentage of Maine teenagers and 12-year-olds who have had at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine has exceeded 50%. Maine has been ahead of most of the country in vaccinating residents for COVID-19. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday that about 51% of the state’s 12- to 19-year-old residents have had at least one dose, and about 47% have had a final dose. More than two thirds of Maine’s population that is old enough to receive a coronavirus vaccine has received a final dose. That is one of the highest percentages in the country.
CORAL PROTECTIONS
New coral protections off New England take effect this month
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — New coral protections are scheduled to take effect in the waters off New England later this month. The National Marine Fisheries Service has published new rules designed to protect corals on Georges Bank and in the Gulf of Maine. Those are two key commercial fishing areas off the New England coast. The new protections take effect on July 26. One of the new rules establishes the Georges Bank Deep-Sea Coral Protection Area, which is located on the outer continental shelf in New England waters. Conservationists have said the new rules protect more than 25,000 square miles of deep-sea coral habitat.
BC-NEW ENGLAND-FLOODING
Storm washes out some bridges, roads, floods basements
The heavy rainfall that hit New England washed out some roads and bridges and flooded basements. A bridge in Brattleboro, Vermont, was completely washed out. The fire department said Brattleboro received about 2.5 inches of rainfall during Saturday afternoon and night. In New Hampshire, southwestern areas received over 3 inches of rain on Saturday. WMUR-TV reports the town of Richmond got 4.98 inches in 24-hour period. Flooded streets and power outages also were reported in Worcester, Massachusetts, and in parts of Rhode Island. There was no word of injuries. The storm was moving out of the area on Sunday.
FATAL CRASH-MAINE
Driver dies after vehicle leaves road, heads down embankment
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — Police in Bangor, Maine, say a driver who died had left the road and went down an embankment before crashing. The driver was the only person in the vehicle and died at the scene. The crash happened at about 8:10 a.m. Sunday. Police said the vehicle suffered “catastrophic damage.” Further information was not immediately available.
FAMILY LEAVE-GRANDPARENTS
Some Maine grandparents will be able to use family leave
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine is home to a new law that extends family medical leave protections to some grandparents. The proposal makes Maine Family Medical Leave protections available to working grandparents who must take time off to care for a grandchild who has a severe medical condition. Rep. Paul Stearns, a Republican, sponsored the proposal, which earned bipartisan support in Augusta. Stearns said grandparents often play a vital role in raising children in Maine, and many also work.
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
Central Maine bridge near hospital to be replaced
FARMINGTON, Maine (AP) — A central Maine bridge will be replaced at a cost of $1.75 million. The Maine Department of Transportation said it is replacing the Hamlin Bridge, which takes Route 133 over Wilson Stream in Farmington. The work began on July 12 and is scheduled to be finished by the end of November. The bridge is located near Franklin Memorial Hospital, close to Routes 2 and 4. The transportation department said there will be a detour route in the area while the bridge is closed.
DECK COLLAPSE