PPP loans to Maine businesses approaching $500 million
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Paycheck Protection Program loans given to small businesses in Maine are approaching $500 million in total. Republican Sen. Susan Collins says more than 6,000 small employers have been approved for more than $460 million since the program reopened last month. Collins says more than 28,000 small businesses in the state received $2.3 billion in PPP loans last year. Second PPP loans are available to small businesses that employ 300 or fewer workers and suffered a gross revenue loss of 25% or more due to the coronavirus pandemic.
SKI CHAIRLIFT-FALL
8-year-old girl falls from chairlift at Sugarloaf ski resort
CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine (AP) — Officials say an 8-year-old girl fell from a chairlift at Maine’s Sugarloaf ski resort and was airlifted to a hospital. Resort spokesperson Ethan Austin said the triple chairlift was stopped by an attendant as the girl struggled 20 to 25 feet above the surface Wednesday, and workers quickly deployed a net to break her fall. He said the girl, who was with her mom on the lift, was conscious and alert after the fall but she said her back hurt. Austin said the back pain coupled with a preexisting medical condition led to a LifeFlight helicopter being summoned. Her name wasn’t released, and her condition wasn’t known.
ANDROSCOGGIN COMMISSIONER RECALL EFFORT
Maine citizen group takes action against anti-mask agenda
AUBURN, Maine (AP) — A local Maine citizen group is seeking to recall three members of the Androscoggin County Commission for their support of an anti-mask resolution being considered by the board, but says it will end the efforts if the resolution is dropped. The Sun Journal reports that a spokesperson for the group said the effort to recall the members will be dropped if they publicly reject the resolution. The three members are commissioners Brian Ames of Lewiston, Isaiah Lary, of Wales, and John Michael, of Auburn. Kiernan Majerus-Collins, who is serving as a spokesperson for the group, said that the goal is not to recall anyone but to “get them to drop this anti-mask craziness.”
OFFICER-DRUG CHARGES
Recently retired cop charged with giving drugs to teen, mom
CALAIS, Maine (AP) — A longtime Maine police officer who recently retired was arrested and charged with giving drugs to a teenager in a high school parking lot. Jeffrey Bishop was a police officer in Calais, Maine, until Jan. 30 and was arrested less than a week later on drug charges. The Bangor Daily News reported on Wednesday that Bishop gave hydrocodone pills and fentanyl to a 17-year-old student. The drugs were meant for the girls’ mother who later told police she had met Bishop in his police cruiser on several occasions to get drugs from him. Bishop worked for decades as a police officer, prison guard and and sheriff’s deputy in various law enforcement agencies before his recent retirement.
SNOWMOBILE DEATH
Connecticut man dies in snowmobile crash in rural Maine
DALLAS PLANTATION, Maine (AP) — Police in Maine say speed and alcohol use appeared to play a role in a fatal snowmobile crash in a rural part of the state. The crash killed 33-year-old William Arnow of Stamford, Connecticut. Police say he was operating a snowmobile in Dallas Plantation in the northwestern part of the state on Tuesday night when he crashed into a utility pole off the side of the trail. A friend operating a separate snowmobile performed CPR and called 911, after which emergency responders came to the scene. Police say Arnow died at the scene.
SHOOTING DEATH-ARREST
NY woman arrested in connection with Maine shooting death
WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) — Maine State Police have arrested a New York City woman in connection with a shooting death last fall in Winthrop. Police said Wednesday they charged 28-year-old Kierra Francis with felony murder in relation to the death of 30-year-old Joshua Martin in October 2020. Police say Martin was shot to death in a home in Winthrop. Police said Wednesday the investigation is still ongoing. It was unclear Wednesday if Francis had retained an attorney.