Maine State News From The Associated Press 6-11-21

Driver killed in SUV crash on I-95 in Bangor

BANGOR, Maine (AP) — State Police say a driver was killed when his sport utility vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier along Interstate 95 in Bangor. Police say the SUV hit a guardrail and then spun into the barrier early Friday. They say 39-year-old Anthony Monroe Sr., of Old Town, was not wearing a seatbelt. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Monroe was the only person in the SUV.

Maine House approves bill to shutter youth prison

The Maine House has approved a bill to close the state’s only prison for youthful offenders within two years. The 81-57 vote on Thursday followed party lines, and now goes to the Maine Senate. The bill would direct the Maine Department of Corrections to close the Long Creek Youth Development Center within two years. A two-thirds majority is needed to overcome a potential veto from Democratic Gov. Janet Mills. There are currently several dozen people detained in the facility, which is designed to hold up to 200.

Suds and sports: Vaccination clinics target younger Mainers

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s COVID-19 vaccination clinics are using beer and baseball to boost the number of people who are vaccinated. Northern Light had a pop-up clinic at the Portland Sea Dogs game Thursday night. And a mobile clinic operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency has set up shop through Sunday at the Rising Tide brewery in Portland. Dr. Nirav Shah from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention says health officials are targeting younger Mainers who comprise the demographic that’s being hospitalized.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Senate has joined the House in advancing a bill to allow online voter registration. The Senate voted 22-12 on Thursday, a day after the House voted 81-61 in favor of the bill. Both votes were along party lines with minority Republicans in opposition. Maine law currently allows people to request an application online but the application must be returned either by mail or in person. Further votes are required.

OPEN PRIMARY BILL

Maine lawmakers move state closer to open primary elections

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s legislature has approved an initial bill to open primaries to independent voters. The Portland Press Herald reports the bill would expand independent voters’ role in primary elections and allow them to participate without registering with a certain political party. Independent voters account for one-third of Maine’s population, a voting bloc that is a priority for both House and Senate Republicans and Democrats. If the bill officially passes, the bipartisan effort for open primaries would be enacted in the 2024 election. Opponents to the bill say that independent voters have access to voting, they just need to pick a political party. Gov. Janet Mills has yet to say where she stands on the bill.

CHARTER COMMISSIONER TWEETS

Newly elected charter commissioner criticized for tweets

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Portland officials have criticized a member of the city’s new Charter Commission for a tweet she posted calling City Manager Jon Jennings a white supremacist after winning her seat. The Portland Press Herald reports that newly elected at-large commissioner Nasreen Sheikh-Yousef tweeted that Jennings would soon be pushed out on Wednesday. “Jon Jennings! You about to lose your job. We are going to make you the last white supremacist city manager. We are coming!” she wrote. The charter commission will discuss the city manager position, however, Jennings plans to step down at the end of his contract next summer.

CANADIAN BORDER

Northern New England reps urge US-Canadian border reopening

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The U.S. representatives from Northern New England are urging the Department of Homeland Security to safely reopen the U.S.-Canadian border, noting that Canadian tourists are vital contributors to the region’s economy. The Democrats, led by Annie Kuster of New Hampshire, wrote to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Thursday. They said Canadian tourists spend $19 billion on average in the United States, including $500 million across northern New England. They said allowing vaccinated tourists to travel between the two countries will spur job creation on either side of the border and keep both economies on the path to recovery.

POLICE DEPARTMENT-RANSOMWARE

Newspaper: Presque Isle PD data dumped on dark web

Hackers have made good on their promise to release files from the Presque Isle Police Department on the dark web. The Bangor Daily News reports that an attack using Avaddon ransomware yielded about 200 gigabytes of data including reports and witness statements dating to the 1970s. The FBI has warned of attacks using the Avaddon ransomware, which is distributed to criminal affiliates. A spokesperson says the FBI receives two to three reports a week of ransomware attacks in Maine.