Red algae is a ‘bummer’ on Pine Point Beach
SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) — Beachgoers are disappointed by the appearance of sticky and smelly red algae at Point Point Beach. Town officials said the Asian red algae is an invasive species that tends to show up in early August, turning the sand and surf reddish-brown. Steve Buckley, deputy director of the public works department, said the red algae is not harmful even though it’s sometimes confused with dangerous red tide. Buckley says it should disappear this fall as the weather gets cooler.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MAINE
Fall sports underway against backdrop of rising infections
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — This week marks the start of practice for fall sports at Maine high schools, and football players in particular are fired up after missing last season. Last year, Maine was one of just four states that did not have a tackle football season, in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, teams were allowed to play flag football. The practices come against a backdrop of rising infections in Maine. Health officials say another 375 infections and three deaths have been reported in Maine since the weekend.
ATV-BOY INJURED
10-year-old critically injured in all-terrain vehicle crash
TURNER, Maine (AP) — Game wardens are investigating an all-terrain vehicle crash in which the 10-year-old operator was critically injured in Turner, Maine. Officials say the boy was operating an ATV without a helmet when it crashed and rolled over him on Monday. The boy was transported by LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition. A warden spokesperson said the initial investigation points to a lack of experience and supervision.
FATAL CRASH PLEA
Motorist sentenced for fatal crash that killed passenger
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A Maine motorist has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and drunken driving under an agreement in which he’ll spend 3 1/2 years behind bars. Randall Hamm, of Lagrange, was driving a sport utility vehicle that overturned in July 2020, killing his passenger, Desarae Bourgoine. WABI-TV reported that Hamm addressed members of Bourgoine’s family in court, saying he was “sorry for what happened.”
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MAINE
Maine communities making plans to spend latest pandemic aid
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine municipalities and counties plan to spend American Rescue Plan Act funding on everything from bonuses for front-line workers to infrastructure projects. The Portland Press Herald reports that allowed expenses include public health measures, hazard pay for public and private front-line workers, business grants, affordable housing, child care and other costs resulting from revenue losses or budget shortfalls. Maine’s 16 counties are receiving $261 million and the state’s six largest cities are getting $121.6 million directly from the U.S. Treasury. The Mills administration received a 30-day extension to disburse another $119 million to 479 smaller communities.
LOBBYING REPORT
Lobbying costs surpass $4m in Maine during the pandemic
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Despite the pandemic limiting access to lawmakers this year, corporate and political interests working to influence the Maine State House spent $4 million on lobbyists. The Portland Press Herald reports that pharmaceutical companies, cable companies, electric utilities were just few of the companies spending the most on lobbyists. The lobbying reports also further underscores the revolving door relationship between state government for both elected and appointed officials and the lobbying industry in Maine. Former state lawmakers were paid thousands for working to influence their former colleagues and incumbents on a range of issues from labor union issues to taxes to environmental policy.