VIRUS OUTBREAK-MAINE
Maine: College requires COVID-19 shots; Walk-ups in Windham
BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — Another private college in Maine has said it will require students and staff to be vaccinated against coronavirus this fall. College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor joined Bowdoin College, which was the first college in Maine to require the new vaccines. The Bangor Daily News reports College of the Atlantic said on Monday that people working and studying on campus in the fall will be subject to the requirement once the vaccines gain full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Also, the state’s mobile coronavirus vaccination unit plans to offer shots without an appointment on Wednesday and Thursday.
MOOSEHEAD LAKE RESORT
Maine approves financing for rehab of Moosehead Lake resort
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Maine authority has announced it has approved tens of millions in bond financing to allow a nonprofit to rehabilitate a former ski resort in a rural part of the state. The Finance Authority of Maine’s decision makes possible up to $135 million for the developer to rehabilitate the resort, which is located in Big Moose Township in the Moosehead Lake area. The developer is Provident Resources Group Inc. of Louisiana. The Portland Press Herald reported on Tuesday that Provident is expected to make improvements including the development of a base lodge and conference center.
VOTING LAWS-MAINE
Maine secretary of state to support voting law changes
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s secretary of state says she supports a host of election reforms in the state that are designed to make it easier to vote. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows says she will testify in favor of the changes before the Maine Legislature on Wednesday. The proposals would make permanent some of the changes Maine used during elections that have taken place during the coronavirus pandemic. One of the proposals requires Bellows, and future secretaries of state, to maintain an absentee ballot tracking service. Another provides secured drop boxes for absentee ballots.
CONSUMER-OWNED POWER UTILITY
Consumer-owned utility advocates plan to oust CMP, Versant
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A bipartisan group of Maine legislators have introduced a bill that would allow a consumer-owned nonprofit corporation to take over state utility services from Central Maine Power and Versant Power. Rep. Seth Berry said Monday that the bill, which has not been finalized, will allow Pine Tree Power Co. to reduce prices and help the state meet its sustainability and clean energy goals. The Portland Press Herald reports that the exact language in the bill is unavailable, however, Berry says it will direct the Maine Public Utilities Commission to revoke the monopoly status of the state’s two largest power distribution companies.
UMAINE-THREAT INVESTIGATION
Man found safe, was sought in connection with UMaine threat
ORONO, Maine (AP) — Authorities say a man sought following a social threat directed at the University of Maine has been found safe in Fryeburg. Police had been looking for 20-year-old Afshin Zarechian since the weekend. They offered no further information. The university canceled a baseball doubleheader against the University of Hartford on Sunday after the social media post that said Zarechian, of Manchester, New Hampshire, was a threat to the school. University President Joan Ferrini-Mundy said Monday that the university’s police department, state and federal law enforcement agencies conducted an investigation and concluded there is no threat to the UMaine community. Police said Zarechian has not been implicated in any criminal activity.