New ‘slow zone’ to protect rare whales off Massachusetts
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — The federal government has announced a new voluntary speed restriction zone to try to protect rare whales off Massachusetts. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the new “slow zone” is located southeast of Nantucket and began on Aug. 1. It’s in effect through Aug. 16. The zone is designed to protect North Atlantic right whales, which number only about 360. The agency is asking mariners to route around the area entirely or transit through it at 10 knots or less.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MAINE
Maine CDC head: Set aside anger, fear over virus resurgence
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The head of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention used a radio appearance to call on residents to set aside anger and fear as the state battles a resurgence of the coronavirus. Maine has had more success than many states in controlling COVID-19, but cases have been rising in recent weeks. Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah told Maine Public on Monday that it’s a good idea to “cast aside the anger and fear” about the rising cases and work together. Shah said vaccinated residents could help by sharing their experience of getting the coronavirus vaccine with those who are hesitant.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CHURCH-PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS
Court declines to hear church’s attack on COVID restrictions
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a Maine church’s preemptive legal attack on future restrictions associated with a variant of the virus that’s spreading across the country. Calvary Chapel asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop Democratic Gov. Janet Mills from enforcing or reinstating any pandemic-related restrictions due to the delta variant of the coronavirus. The request was denied Monday by Justice Stephen Breyer without even asking the other side to respond or asking his colleagues to get involved. The Maine attorney general’s office contends the lawsuit is unnecessary because the governor’s civil emergency already expired.
SUBMARINE DISASTER-DOCUMENTS
Skipper: Docs show no coverup in submarine sinking
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A retired Navy skipper who successfully petitioned for documents delving into the deadliest submarine disaster in U.S. history says he’s satisfied there was no coverup. But retired Capt. James Bryant said the documents show technology evolved faster than policies and procedures during the Cold War. Bryant believes the “World War II mindset” during the nuclear age contributed to failures that led to the sinking of the USS Thresher on April 10, 1963. Bryant successfully sued for the documents under the Freedom of Information Act. All 129 sailors and civilians died when the submarine imploded on a test dive in the Atlantic Ocean.
RAINY JULY
Portland, Maine, has rainiest July in more than 100 years
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s largest city recorded its rainiest July in more than 100 years last month. The rain in Portland arrived in time to help counter a long drought. The Portland Press Herald reports the city recorded a little more than 9.5 inches of rain last month. Rainfall records only show one rainier July in the city’s recorded history. That was 1915, when the rain totaled a little more than 10.8 inches.
BICYCLIST KILLED
Cyclist dies after colliding with pickup truck in Maine
FARMINGTON, Maine (AP) — A bicycle rider who was hit by a pickup truck in Farmington has died. Police say both cyclist Christopher Krol and the truck driver were headed west when witnesses said the cyclist cut into the truck’s path Saturday afternoon. Farmington Police Chief Kenneth Charles said the 55-year-old Krol was taken to a local hospital and then airlifted to Maine Medical Center, where he died Sunday. No charges were expected.
NORTHERN MAINE ROAD
Remote road in northern Maine set for improvements
SAINT FRANCIS, Maine (AP) — A major road through one of the most remote parts of Maine is slated for a battery of improvements. The Maine Department of Transportation said it is doing paving, culvert replacements and other work on two stretches of Route 161 in Allagash and Saint Francis. The road travels along the Saint John River in northern Aroostook County. Parts of Route 161 are located close to the border with Canada. The transportation department said the work is scheduled to be completed by the end of November.