Maine State House closed for the rest of the week
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine State House will be shut down for the remainder of the week, forcing the cancelation of Thursday’s legislative session. The building was evacuated Monday when some pipes burst, flooding the first floor and the tunnel to the Cross Office Building. Workers have been repairing the damage and using massive fans and ventilation ducts to dry out the space. The building is expected to reopen next week.
TROOPER COLLISION
Tractor-trailer driver charged after hitting trooper cruiser
KITTERY, Maine (AP) — A tractor-trailer hit a state trooper cruiser and another vehicle on the Maine Turnpike, resulting in charges for the driver. Police said the trooper had his emergency lights on and was in the breakdown lane behind a truck when the crash happened on Wednesday. WMTW-TV reports the tractor-trailer drifted into the lane and hit the cruiser, then veered into travel lanes and hit a Jeep. Police say the family inside the Jeep and the trooper only suffered minor injuries. They say the driver of the tractor-trailer faces charges of failure to move over for an emergency vehicle and distracted driving.
FLOODING-DISASTER DECLARATION
President makes disaster declaration for 3 counties
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — President Joe Biden has granted a disaster declaration for flood damage in three counties caused by a deluge of rain. Knox, Waldo and York counties dealt with flash flooding and tributary flooding when a low pressure system between Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 caused 4 to 6 1/2 inches (10 to 17 centimeters) of rain to fall in a six-hour period. The disaster declaration, announced Wednesday, frees federal funding to reimburse that state agencies and municipalities for approved costs.
CHURCH RESTORATION
$1.7M is approved for restoration of historic Black church
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The federal government has approved $1.7 million for the restoration of one of the oldest Black churches in the U.S. that served as a northern sanctuary for the underground railroad and the abolitionist movement. The Portland Press Herald reports the Abyssinian Meeting House in Portland, Maine, is a part of $200 million allocated for Maine projects in the $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden in 2021. The church was founded in 1828, which makes it the third-oldest church built by a Black congregation. The Committee to Restore the Abyssinian’s leader Leonard Cummings and city officials led the efforts to restore the church.
FOREVER CHEMICALS
Farmers back plan for $100M to tackle PFAS contamination
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine farmers and the state’s agriculture commissioner have testified in favor of a proposal that would create a $100 million fund to help pay for problems caused by long-lasting chemicals. The Maine Legislature is considering creating the fund to do things like help farmers pay for water and soil tests and cover crop and animal losses related to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl contamination. The Portland Press Herald reports the main concern from some who testified on the bill on Wednesday was that $100 million wouldn’t be enough. The proposal will be subject to votes in committee in the future.
DRINKING WATER SAFETY
Maine might give residents money to treat contaminated wells
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers are closer to passing a bill that would provide money to homeowners to treat drinking water wells that show evidence of contamination. The Maine House of Representatives unanimously passed the measure on Wednesday. The proposal from Democratic Rep. Jessica Fay of Raymond would provide the one-time funding to the owners of single-family homes as well as landlords. Supporters of the proposal cited a Maine Division of Environmental and Community Health estimate that one in 10 wells in the state has high levels of chemicals such as arsenic, uranium and radon.