Maine: Portland wants relief fund ideas; mask rules reviewed
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s largest city wants input from the public about how to use federal coronavirus relief dollars. Portland city officials say the city is set to receive about $46.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to replace lost revenue and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Half the money was received in May and the rest could arrive as soon as May 2022. The City Council wants to review suggestions for the use of the money from the public. Also Wednesday, state officials were conducting a review of the state’s mask rules in light of rising COVID-19 case counts.
Hannaford recalls some store-produced baked goods
SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) — Hannaford supermarkets is recalling a number of bakery products that were made with a seasoning that’s subject of a national recall. Hannaford said the recall applies to baked goods produced in stores like Classic Garlic Focaccia and Classic Focaccia. Those products used McCormick’s Perfect Pinch Italian seasoning, which could be contaminated with salmonella. No illnesses have been reported so far. Hannaford operates 184 stores in New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Turn off, turn on: Simple step can thwart top phone hackers
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — At a time of widespread digital insecurity it turns out that the oldest and simplest computer fix there is — turning a device off then back on again — can thwart hackers from stealing information from smartphones. The National Security Agency recommends rebooting a phone every week as a way to stop hacking. Almost always in arm’s reach, rarely turned off and holding huge stores of personal and sensitive data, cellphones have become top targets for hackers looking to steal text messages, contacts and photos, as well as track users’ locations and even secretly turn on their video and microphones.
Maine city wants help deciding on COVID-19 relief money
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s largest city wants input from the public about how to use federal coronavirus relief dollars. Portland city officials said the city is set to receive about $46.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to replace lost revenue and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Half the money was received in May and the rest could arrive as soon as May 2022. The City Council wants to review suggestions for the use of the money from the public.
FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE
Commission will propose family leave policy for Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A commission in Maine is going to study ways to implement a paid family medical leave policy for the state. Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill about the proposal into law earlier in July. The proposal, from Democratic Sen. Mattie Daughtry, called for a commission that will hear from workers, employers, caregivers and others before proposing a statewide family leave system for Maine. The commission is expected to provide recommendations by January 2022.
TICK DISEASE
2nd case of rare tick-borne disease found in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Public health authorities in Maine said a second case of a rare tick-borne infection has been located in the state. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday that laboratory tests confirmed a case of Powassan virus in a resident of Knox County. A Waldo County resident who is still recovering from the virus contracted it in June. The agency said about 25 cases of the disease are reported in the U.S. every year. Maine has had 10 cases since 2010.