Gas prices up a bit more in northern New England
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Gas prices have gone up a little in all three northern New England states over the past week as drivers’ demand for gasoline has soared. A GasBuddy survey of more than 1,200 stations in Maine found that gas prices Tuesday were 5.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The average price is $3.08 per gallon, nearly a dollar higher than a year ago. GasBuddy said prices in Vermont and New Hampshire are up more than 2 cents a gallon from last week. Vermont was at $3.02 a gallon, while New Hampshire was $2.98 per gallon.
NH motorist’s wild ride ends in head-on collision in Maine
FALMOUTH, Maine (AP) — Police say a New Hampshire woman in a pickup truck led police on a high-speed chase in Maine that ended in a head-on collision and five people going to the hospital. The truck was stolen from Barrington, New Hampshire, and Maine State Police gave pursuit late Monday morning in Scarborough. Troopers broke off the pursuit before resuming in Falmouth, where the collision happened. Three people in an SUV, along with the woman and her passenger, were taken to the hospital.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MAINE
Local governments in no hurry to spend federal windfall
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s local governments seem to be in no hurry to spend nearly $502 million in federal pandemic aid. Funding is intended to replace lost government revenue, provide local economic relief and invest infrastructure. But the Portland Press Herald reports that most have yet to develop any major plans for investing the unprecedented windfall. They have until 2026 to spend the money on eligible expenses. Local governments can’t use the money to pay down debt, cover pension obligations or finance rainy day funds. Also Tuesday, officials said the number of daily new cases of the virus in Maine has dipped below 20.
SHARK REPORTING
New tool to help Maine shark spotters confirm what they saw
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine officials have launched a new tool to help people who believe they spotted a white shark find out if it was indeed the big fish. The Maine Department of Marine Resources has added the online tool to its website. It’s a form that allows shark spotters to upload photos and videos and submit a description of what they saw. Erin Summers, the director of the marine department’s biological monitoring division, said the online tool will “help people gain a better understanding of the species found in the Gulf of Maine.” She says people often mistake harmless animals like basking sharks for white sharks.
AP-US-ELECTION-2022-MAINE-GOVERNOR
Bellicose ex-governor LePage launches another run in Maine
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Former two-term Republican Gov. Paul LePage says he’s launching a campaign for another term in Maine’s Blaine House. LePage has been critical of his successor, Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, over fiscal policies and actions during the pandemic. He said Monday that he wants to build an economy that “empowers everyone including our rural communities.” He made his announcement four days after filing paperwork with the state ethics commission. Under the Maine Constitution, he’s allowed to run again after sitting out a term. The 72-year-old served two tumultuous terms marked by belt-tightening conservatism and bellicose battles with opponents and the media.
WOUNDED WARRIOR RETREAT-DONATION
Son, family deliver $30K on July Fourth to veteran’s retreat
ROME, Maine (AP) — A boy and his family delivered on the Fourth of July a check for more than $30,000 to a foundation that runs a retreat for wounded veterans and their families. WGME-TV reports 11-year-old Michael Ahern handed over a larger-than-life check for $31,733.66 to The Travis Mills Foundation on Sunday. Along with his parents and sister, Michael started raising funds for the foundation two years ago in part by selling ice cream through a nonprofit called Scoops for Troops. The founder of the retreat, Travis Mills, lost his limbs as a soldier in an explosion in Afghanistan. The donated funds will allow eight veterans and their families to attend the retreat for free.
TWO DEAD-MAINE
Police: Deaths of man, woman in Maine were not suspicious
HAMPDEN, Maine (AP) — Police who are investigating the discovery of two bodies in Hampden say the deaths do not appear to be suspicious. Hampden Police Chief Christian Bailey said first responders went to a home Sunday morning following a report of two people who were unconscious and not breathing. He said a man and woman who lived in the home were pronounced dead. The Hampden Police Department is investigating and the state medical examiner’s office will determine the cause of the deaths.