VIRUS OUTBREAK-MAINE
Civic center to host legislators, vaccine clinic in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Augusta Civic Center in Maine is slated to pull double duty this week as the host of the Maine Legislature and a coronavirus vaccination clinic. The legislature has been using the civic center to facilitate easier social distancing. The legislature is slated to convene at the venue on Tuesday, when it’s expected to take up the biennial budget proposal. MaineGeneral Medical Center is also holding a continuing vaccination clinic at the facility. Maine Senate President Troy Jackson of Allagash and Chuck Hays, president and chief executive officer of MaineGeneral Health, say they are confident the center can accommodate the two events simultaneously.
HIGH WINDS-NEW ENGLAND
More than 89K without power because of high winds
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Powerful winds topping 50 mph have knocked out power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses across parts of New England. As of Monday afternoon, more than 89,000 homes and businesses were without power in New England, including more than 35,000 apiece in both Maine and New Hampshire. In Maine, The National Weather Service said the wind gusted to 72 mph in West Bethel, 57 mph in York, 55 mph in Rumford and 53 mph in Portland. In New Hampshire, it gusted to 54 mph in Nashua, 53 mph in Concord and 52 mph in Manchester. The National Weather Service said calmer weather was expected by Monday evening.
PIZZA DOUGH TAMPERING
NH man appears in federal court on food tampering charges
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A New Hampshire man accused of putting razor blades in pizza dough at a supermarket has made his first court appearance on federal charges. Thirty-nine-year-old Nicholas Mitchell made a video appearance Monday before a federal magistrate in which he pleaded not guilty two counts of tampering with a consumer product. He waived his right to a detention hearing. Mitchell was arrested in October 2020 after razor blades were found in pizza dough sold at a Hannaford supermarket in Saco, Maine. Product tampering also occurred at stores in Sanford, Maine, and Dover, New Hampshire.