Gas prices soar in northern New England
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Gas prices have risen in all three New England states over the course of the past week. GasBuddy, which does a daily survey of 1,228 stations in the state, says prices in Maine rose 9.5 cents per gallon to $3.20. Prices are more than a dollar per gallon higher in Maine than they were a year ago. Prices in Vermont went up more than 7 cents to $3.19. In New Hampshire, they went up more than 7 cents to $3.11
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MAINE
UMaine hockey to require fans get COVID-19 shot or show test
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — University of Maine sports fans will have to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test to go to home hockey and basketball games. The university announced the policy on Monday. UMaine officials say the new policy go into effect on Friday, and fans will also have to wear a mask to enter sports venues. Masks are required indoors for all people over the age of 2 at UMaine sports events. The university said it also reserves the right to request additional screening of patrons before they enter buildings. The new policy comes as cases of COVID-19 are increasing in the state.
POLICE SHOOTING-PORTLAND
Portland police ID officer involved non-fatal shooting
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Portland police have released the name of the officer involved in a non-fatal shooting while he was investigating a reported burglary in the Maine city. On Monday, Portland Police said Officer Nevin Rand was in the area of the Preble Street Soup Kitchen on Oxford Street at about 5:30 a.m. Saturday when he attempted to speak to a suspect. Police did not release the details of how the shooting unfolded. The suspect was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Once he is released from the hospital the suspect will face charges. Rand, who has been with Portland police since 2018, was placed on paid administrative leave while the shooting is investigated. No officers were injured.
MOOSE HUNT-MAINE
Moose hunt getting started in northern, central Maine
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (AP) — Maine’s moose hunt is restarting for the season mostly in the northern and central parts of the state. The state awarded more than 4,000 moose permits this year. That was an increase of hundreds from the previous season. The hunting season is broken up into four stretches that take place in different parts of the state. The moose hunt in northern and parts of central and Down East Maine starts on Monday and runs to Oct. 16.
FRYEBURG FAIR
Maine fair season draws to a close with Fryeburg finale
FRYEBURG, Maine (AP) — Maine’s agricultural fair season is drawing to a close with the completion of the Fryeburg Fair. The Fryeburg Fair is the oldest and largest of the fairs in Maine, and it draws to a close on Sunday. Most of the fairs were held this summer, unlike last year when they were postponed because of the pandemic. Some of them, including the Fryeburg Fair, offered vaccinations.
WORLD WAR II-PILOT-REMAINS
Remains of pilot lost in sea during WWII are buried in Maine
MILLINOCKET, Maine (AP) — The recovered remains of a World War II pilot have been buried in Maine more than 70 years after his body was lost in Europe’s Adriatic Sea. Maine Public Radio reports relatives from across the country gathered in Millinocket on Saturday to honor the life of U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Ernest N. Vienneau. He was 25 when the bomber he co-piloted came under fire over present-day Slovenia in Nov. 1944. Vienneau was mortally wounded in the attack, and the other pilot was forced to ditch the bomber off Vis Island, Croatia. The wreck was found in 2017 and dental records helped confirmed the identify of the remains.
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
DIVING DEATH
Marine Patrol: Man dies during Lake Winnipesaukee dive
GILFORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Marine Patrol says a 69-year-old man has died after scuba diving in Lake Winnipesaukee. The patrol says first responders were notified at about 10:15 a.m. Sunday of a water rescue off Diamond Island in the town of Gilford. Initial investigation revealed four divers were in the water when one became unresponsive. The unresponsive diver was brought to the surface by a fellow diver and 911 was called. The victim, whose name has not been released pending notification of his relatives, was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is continuing.