Maine resolves timber harvesting violations in coastal area
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s forestry department says it has entered into an agreement with a forester to resolve harvesting violations in the state. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said Monday it entered the stipulated judgment agreement with Charles Love and Southern Maine Forestry Services of Windham. The state says the forester is required to prepare a revegetation plan and revegetate a shoreland area where the violations occurred. The forest service says the forester must also pay a $2,000 civil penalty. The state says the violation stems from logging activities in Bowdoinham.
Committees begin review of governor’s supplemental budget
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Legislature is poised to begin a series of hearings on Democratic Gov. Janet Mills’ supplemental budget. The Health and Human Services Committee begins its review on Monday, followed by other committees over more than a week. The cornerstone of the supplemental budget is the proposal to provide half of a projected $822 million surplus to residents. Other parts would providing additional funding to hospitals and nursing home, education and the rain day fund.
Maine baby eel fishermen to start season in coming weeks
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s baby eel fishermen are hopeful for another year of high prices for the tiny fish as the season nears. The fishing season for baby eels, which are called elvers, starts in about three weeks. They’re valuable because they’re sold to Asian aquaculture companies that raise them to maturity so they can be used as food. Prices for elvers fell to $525 per pound in 2020 due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. They rebounded to more than $1,800 per pound last year.
LOBSTER BOATS-TRACKERS
Regulators delay action on trackers for lobster boats
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Regulators will be taking up a plan to require lobstermen to install electronic trackers on their boats this spring. The American Lobster Management Board discussed the plan this week before deciding more time is needed to evaluate the issues. Maine Public reports that scientists and conservationists support the electronic tracking program. But lobstermen are concerned about proposal’s cost, purpose and privacy. The lobster board, an arm of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, will take up the matter again at its spring meeting.
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Maine Senate approves plan to expand career, tech education
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Senate has approved a proposal to improve career and technical education in the state. The Senate approved Democratic Sen. Mattie Daughtry’s bill on Wednesday. Supporters of the bill say it would create a 20-member task force charged with examining the feasibility, advantages and disadvantages of establishing a comprehensive four-year high school career and technical education program for Maine students. The group would produce a report about its findings next year.
HYBRID FERRY
Maine ferry service to replace vessel with low emission tech
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A ferry service in Maine is slated to receive more than $3.5 million for a vessel that will be propelled by a low-emission system. Casco Bay Island Transit District provides ferry service to islands and island communities off Portland. The district said it is receiving the federal funding to replace an aging vessel in its fleet. The district says it plans to replace the Maquoit II, which takes passengers and freight almost 50 miles every day and also delivers mail. It says the replacement vessel will use a diesel electric hybrid propulsion system instead of a conventional diesel mechanical propulsion system.
HOMELESSNESS-HOTEL CONCERNS
Two hotels to stop housing homeless following complaints
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A company operating two hotels in Maine says it will stop hosting hundreds of people experiencing homelessness because of complaints from neighboring businesses. The Portland Press Herald reports that the Days Inn and Comfort Inn near the Maine Mall in South Portland will not renew its contract with MaineHousing to provide emergency shelter when it expires on May 31. Suresh Gali, head of New Gen Hospitality Management, made the announcement at a city meeting Friday. City officials said they’re working with state officials to identify new emergency shelter space for the nearly 300 people currently being sheltered at the hotels.
BROADBAND EXPANSION
$28M to expand broadband to thousands in rural Maine
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine is slated to receive $28 million to expand broadband services in the state. The state’s four-member Congressional delegation said Friday the funding is from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Infrastructure Program. The delegation says in a statement that funding is especially important for Maine because it is one of the most rural states in the country. The delegation says the funding will grow broadband access to almost 15,000 residents of the state.
FATAL SHOOTING-POLICE
State police fatally shoot Maine man after 12-hour standoff
PITTSFIELD, Maine (AP) — A Maine man has been fatally shot by police following a 12-hour standoff Friday morning. State police said Saturday the deadly standoff happened at a residence in Pittsfield at around 8 a.m. following reports of a domestic disturbance where shots had been fired. State police say their crisis negotiation teams spent 12 hours attempting to persuade 27-year-old Gregory Lasselle to surrender before two troopers killed the Pittsfield resident in an “armed confrontation.” The two troopers involved have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure in deadly force incidents involving police. The attorney general’s office is investigating.