Down East Maine man charged in father’s stabbing death
BIG LAKE TOWNSHIP, Maine (AP) — Police in Down East Maine have arrested a man and charged him in the stabbing death of his father. Police said they received a 911 call about the stabbing in Big Lake Township on Thursday. They responded and found 62-year-old Darren Laney Sr. dead in a residence in the township. Police said they arrested 36-year-old Darren Laney Jr. and charged him with murder. They say Laney Jr. was then taken to the county jail. Police did not disclose other information about the investigation. It was unclear on Friday if Laney Jr. was represented by an attorney.
Lobstermen to get federal help to comply with whale rules
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A funding package approved by federal lawmakers includes more than $17 million to help the lobster fishing industry adjust to new rules designed to protect rare whales. The money is part of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill passed by Congress on Thursday. It includes $14 million to help the lobster industry comply with the new rules meant to help the North Atlantic right whale. Members of Maine’s congressional delegation said the rest of the money includes $2 million for lobster and right whale research, monitoring and conservation efforts.
Northern Maine logger training program getting help to grow
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (AP) — A program that trains loggers in northern Maine has received $1 million in federal funding to expand. Democratic Rep. Jared Golden said Thursday the Mechanized Logging Operations Training Program that Northern Maine Community College runs has received the money. Golden submitted the proposal as a Community Project Funding request on behalf of the East Millinocket Fire Department. Golden says the funding will allow the college to expand the program.
NATIONAL GUARD-SEX ABUSE
Maine National Guard addresses sexual assault, harassment
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — The Maine National Guard is proposing steps including partnering with the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault to improve its handling of sexual assault and harassment. Leaders pledged in a new report submitted to lawmakers to improve the Guard’s response to such cases. The 22-page document follows reporting by the Bangor Daily News on a spike in substantiated sexual assaults that corresponded with a permissive attitude, mishandling of allegations and retaliation against personnel who reported assaults. The report will be discussed with the veterans and legal affairs committee Friday.
ELECTION SECURITY
Maine close on safeguards to protect ballot, voting machines
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine is closer to enacting new safeguards to protect its ballots and voting machines from tampering. Democratic Rep. Teresa Pierce of Falmouth proposed a bill that would clarify the chain of custody of ballots and voting machines in the state. The bill is designed to make certain who is legally allowed to possess those items. The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval to the bill on Wednesday. Pierce says the proposal would stop individuals and groups with partisan agendas from gaining access to ballots and voting machines.
LOGGER TRAINING
Northern Maine logger training program getting help to grow
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (AP) — A program that trains loggers in northern Maine has received $1 million in federal funding to expand. Democratic Rep. Jared Golden said Thursday the Mechanized Logging Operations Training Program that Northern Maine Community College runs has received the money. Golden submitted the proposal as a Community Project Funding request on behalf of the East Millinocket Fire Department. Golden says the funding will allow the college to expand the program.
SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
Maine looks to make it easy for students to get transcripts
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine might make it easier for students and graduates to get access to their school transcripts. Lawmakers in the state are considering a proposal that would require post-secondary schools in Maine to provide a transcript or diploma for students if the students need those materials to do things such as apply for a job, further their education or join the military. The Maine Senate voted in favor of the proposal on Wednesday.
PSYCHIATRIC CENTER WAGES
Maine lawmakers vote for pay increase at psychiatric centers
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine House of Representatives has endorsed a proposal to increase pay for employees of two psychiatric centers in the state. The proposal from Democratic Rep. Seth Berry would provide a wage increase of $3 per hour for all employees at Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta and Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center in Bangor. The House voted in favor of initial approval of the proposal on Wednesday, and more votes will take place in the weeks ahead.
RENEWABLE INCENTIVES
Maine’s largest city to incentivize renewable energy, heat
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s largest city is creating an incentive program to try to motivate residents to adopt renewable energy and heating sources. Portland officials said Wednesday the city’s “Electrify Everything!” program is a chance for residents to get discounts on solar panels and home heating appliances. The city is working with solar company ReVision Energy on the effort. Officials say ReVision will offer $500 off solar installations and $250 off air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and home electric vehicle chargers. They say the company is also offering up to $60,000 to help low-income households adopt solar.