Last of new class of Navy warship departs shipyard
BATH, Maine (AP) — The last of a new class of warship has departed a Maine shipyard. The USS Lyndon B. Johnson was constructed at Bath Iron Works and is the last in a class of three ships the U.S. Navy has described as the largest and most technologically sophisticated destroyers in its history. The stealth destroyer is the last of three Zumwalt-class ships to be built at the Bath shipyard. It departed on Wednesday.
RIGHT WHALE PROTECTION
First right whale of the season spotted off Massachusetts
BOURNE, Mass. (AP) — Marine researchers have spotted a species of rare whale in Cape Cod Bay for the first time this season. North Atlantic right whales arrive in the bay every year. The whales number less than 340 and their population has declined in recent years. The Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown said Tuesday the first whale of the season was spotted late in December. The center said it would spend the next five months observing the whales from the air and in the water to track their health.
WINTER WEATHER
Brrr! Some schools close as extreme cold grips US Northeast
A mass of arctic air swept into the Northeast, bringing bone-chilling sub-zero temperatures and closing schools across the region for the second time in less than a week. Many school said they didn’t want children standing outside for extended periods of time waiting for buses. Worcester, Massachusetts, schools in a tweet said COVID-19 cases among bus drivers would make some buses up to 30 minutes late. In New Hampshire, it was minus 26 degrees atop Mount Washington — known for its weather extremes — with a wind chill of nearly minus 72. Many states opened warming centers where people could go to get out of the cold.
TAKEOUT ALCOHOL
Maine might permanently let restaurants sell to-go alcohol
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Maine lawmaker has proposed to permanently allow restaurants and bars to sell alcohol on a to-go basis. The businesses have been able to sell alcohol through takeout and delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic if it’s accompanied by a food order. Distilleries have also been allowed to sell spirits without a food order. A proposal by Democratic Sen. Louis Luchini would make the changes permanent. He introduced the proposal on Monday.
LIQUID PROPANE DERAILMENT
Workers respond to derailed train carrying liquid propane
BIDDEFORD, Maine (AP) — A hazardous materials team in Maine was monitoring an area where a train derailed that was carrying liquid propane. WGME-TV reports two cars in the train were carrying the propane. The Monday night crash happened in Biddeford when two cars went off tracks at about 8 p.m. There was a small leak detected in the area but it has since been contained. No one was hurt in the derailment. The workers were looking for combustible gas on Tuesday.
BANGOR HOSPITAL-DEMOLITION
Bangor hospital plans to demolish 100-year-old buildings
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor is moving ahead with plans to demolish eight buildings that are more than 100 years old. The Bangor Daily News reported Tuesday that four of the buildings near the main campus have already been knocked down. St. Joseph President Mary Prybylo told the newspaper that engineering reviews found the structures had significant risks. City data shows that seven of the properties were built in 1900 and that one was built in 1910. Bangor’s director of code enforcement says the city’s historic preservation rules do not apply to the buildings even though they are old.
SOLAR SETTLEMENT
Maine utility proposes settlement with regulator on solar
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Maine power company says it has proposed a settlement with a state regulator in which it pledges to reduce delays in hooking up solar projects. Central Maine Power said Monday the settlement would allow it to improve deployment of solar power generation across its service area. The Portland Press Herald reports the Maine Renewable Energy Association, the Coalition for Solar Access and the Maine Office of the Public Advocate have signed off on the deal.