Pandemic-hit oyster farmers turn to conservation to survive
DURHAM, N.H. (AP) — When the pandemic hit, oyster farmers found the restaurants that sold their bivalves had largely closed. Many faced economic ruin until a conservation group along with two federal agencies offered to buy up millions of oysters in New England, the Mid-Atlantic and Washington state as part of a program to restore shellfish reefs at 20 locations. The Nature Conservancy is spending $2 million over two years to buy more than 5 million oysters for restoration efforts. The oyster reefs provide critical habitat for fish and help protect shorelines from erosion. Oysters filter out pollutants and excess nutrients from the water.
Maine’s ‘Beach to Beacon’ race will again be virtual in ’21
CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine (AP) — One of Maine’s most beloved road races will again be a virtual event this year. The Portland Press Herald reported Thursday that organizers of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K are concerned about holding the race during the coronavirus pandemic and chose not to have an in-person event this year. The race typically takes place on the first Saturday of August. The number of new coronavirus cases in Maine has been trending downward. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills says health workers have provided at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine to more than 70% of adults in the state.
Maine governor proposes historic education funding boost
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Janet Mills wants to boost the state’s share of primary education costs to 55% for the first time. The proposal would meet a goal established in a voter referendum more than 15 years ago. The spending boost would help schools while easing local property tax burden. It’s part of the Democratic governor’s supplemental budget proposal that builds on the budget already approved more than a month ago. The proposal includes $187 million to meet the state’s obligation to pay 55% of local K-12 education costs. With a forecast for healthy economic growth, Mills says it’s time “to fully fund education.”
TODDLER SHOOTS PARENTS
Police: 2-year-old shoots, wounds parents inside Maine home
WEST BATH, Maine (AP) — Police say a 2-year-old boy in Maine shot and wounded his parents after discovering a handgun on a nightstand. Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry said Wednesday the mother suffered a leg wound, the father suffered a minor head wound, and the boy was injured by the gun’s recoil when a single shot was fired. All three were sent to the hospital. The incident remains under investigation by the sheriff’s department and the district attorney.
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
71-year-old bridge in Bangor to be replaced with new tech
HAMPDEN, Maine (AP) — The Maine transportation department says a 71-year-old bridge in the Bangor area will be replaced by a kind of bridge never before used in the state. The bridge in question is Twin Bridge, which carries Route 69 over the West Branch of the Souadabscook Stream in Hampden. The Maine Department of Transportation said Tuesday the bridge’s replacement will use a composite tub girder system in a “double T” configuration that has not been used in the state before. The new bridge will also span more than 50 feet, which is more than twice the span of the existing bridge.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MAINE
Maine starts COVID-19 shot rollout to kids; nurses honored
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine has started its rollout of coronavirus vaccines to middle schoolers and early high schoolers. U.S. regulators this week expanded the use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to children as young as 12. Health care providers in Maine said they began giving the shots to children age 12 to 15 in the state on Wednesday. The expansion of eligibility for a vaccine came as Maine continued to outpace most of the nation in vaccine progress. The state also announced it was honoring all school nurses for their role in helping navigate the pandemic.