Heat, no food, deadly weather: Climate change kills seabirds
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The warming of the planet is taking a deadly toll on seabirds, which are in decline because of heatwaves, extreme weather, failure to reproduce and inadequate fish to eat.
They include birds such as albatrosses off the Hawaiian islands and puffins off the Maine coast.
The birds are less able to build nests, raise young and hunt for fish as the ocean heats up.
That has resulted in mass die-off events of birds such as the Cassin’s auklet in recent years. One estimate says seabird populations have fallen 70% since mid-century.
Man convicted in killing retrial faces sentencing
AUBURN, Maine (AP) — A Massachusetts man who was convicted of a drug-related killing in a rare retrial of a murder case in Maine faces sentencing. Marcus Asante, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was initially sentenced to 35 years stemming from the shooting death of Douglas Morin Jr. in Sherman. His conviction was overturned in 2020. The state supreme court ruled that a judge made a mistake in instructions to the jurors. The murder conviction is the first to be set aside in Maine in more than 10 years. Asante was later convicted a second time and faces sentencing on Wednesday.
ROOFING CONTRACTOR TRIAL
Jury selection begins in trial stemming from workplace death
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Jury selection is getting underway for the trial of a contractor charged following the death of a worker who fell from a roof because of alleged unsafe working conditions. The trial of Michael Purvis was initially scheduled for March 2020 but was delayed by the pandemic. He was charged after Alan Loignon fell to his death on Dec. 13, 2018. Loignon was Purvis’ half brother, and his family is pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit. Purvis also faces OSHA fines of up to $2 million. Jury selection began Wednesday in Superior Court in Portland.
ENERGY PROJECT
Environmental groups ask Maine to suspend energy project
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine environmental groups have requested that the federal government suspend the permits it issued to a billion-dollar electricity project for Massachusetts residents, which Maine voters rejected in a referendum last month. The Portland Press Herald reported on Monday that the letter emphasized that the project could not continue because the referendum blocked the project that would be used to transmit power from hydroelectric dams. Gov. Janet Mills requested that the project suspend all work. The DEP also ruled the company halt all work unless it is granted permission by the court.
DROUGHT-MAINE
Drought conditions persist in parts of northern Maine
FORT KENT, Maine (AP) — Parts of northwestern Maine remain in a severe drought late this fall. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported that as of Nov. 24 parts of northern Somerset and Franklin counties were experiencing severe drought conditions. Some adjacent areas, including parts of Aroostook and Piscataquis counties, were experiencing moderate drought. The monitor reported drought conditions have abated in most of New England, but some parts of far northern Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire were also experiencing abnormally dry conditions in late November.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MAINE LAWMAKER
Maine lawmaker resigns after wife’s COVID-19 death
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A state lawmaker who flouted mask requirements in the Maine State House and fought against pandemic restrictions has resigned from his seat because of his wife’s COVID-19 death. Republican Rep. Chris Johansen, of Monticello, told House Speaker Ryan Fecteau in a letter this month that he needs to tend to his family farm. His wife, he wrote, had been dedicated to the farm, freeing him to serve in the Legislature. He was one of seven lawmakers who was stripped of committee assignments for refusing to wear masks in the State House after leaders required them. Both he and his wife contracted COVID-19 over the summer, and his wife, who has asthma, died from the disease.
STOLEN VEHICLE-SLEEPING CHILD
Police: 3-year-old found asleep in stolen vehicle
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Portland Police are investigating a stolen vehicle that was recovered with a sleeping child inside it. Police said the Ford Explorer was quickly located after being reported stolen on Saturday with a 3-year-old asleep in the vehicle. Police turned out in force because of concern about the child, but the boy was still asleep in a child seat when the vehicle was located. Police are continuing to investigate the case. Anyone who witnessed the vehicle being stole are encouraged to contact police.