Maine looks to grow access to lawyers in state’s rural areas
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers are considering a proposal to create a legal aid clinic in northern Maine that supporters say is important for rural residents who need representation. Democratic Senate President Troy Jackson introduced the proposal on Wednesday. It would authorize University of Maine School of Law to open the clinic in Fort Kent. Jackson says there aren’t enough attorneys practicing in rural parts of Maine. He says the legal workforce is also aging in those parts of the state.
Hospital ordered to pay $200K in wage discrimination lawsuit
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A female psychologist who sued because she was underpaid compared to her male colleagues is owed more than $200,000. A judge ordered triple the lost wages to be paid to Dr. Clare Mundell after concluding Acadia Hospital violated the Maine Equal Pay Act, Mundell contended her hourly rate was $50 an hour at Acadia Hospital while several two men made $90 and $95 respectively. She resigned in 2020 and sued in 2021. Northern Light, Acadia’s owner, said there will be an appeal.
Developer of new Northeastern campus wants to build tall
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The nonprofit working to build a new Northeastern University campus in Portland has asked for zoning changes to allow them to erect a 16- or 17-story apartment building. The Portland Press Herald reported on Tuesday that the building would be among the tallest in the state if it’s approved. A nonprofit developer is building the campus for the new Roux Institute as a part of Boston-based Northeastern University. The developer held a public meeting last week where it detailed plans to apply for zoning changes and submit development plans for the site.
LEGISLATURE-SAMARITAN LAW
Supporters call to expand Good Samaritan law for overdoses
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Supporters of a proposal to expand Maine’s Good Samaritan law for overdoses will be passing out purple ribbons for supporters to wear during the governor’s State of the State address. Supporters, including people touched by overdose deaths, testified Wednesday to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. But Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck opposed the proposal, saying it could bring unintended consequences. Maine is one of 47 states with Good Samaritan laws. The bill would expand its application to everyone present at the scene, exempting from arrest or prosecution for non-violent offenses and for probation or bail violations.
WAGE DISCRIMINATION
Judge sides with female psychologist in equal pay case
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that a Maine hospital violated the state’s equal pay law by paying a female psychologist barely half the wage of her male colleagues. The judge ruled that Northern Light Acadia Hospital violated the Maine Equal Pay Law and must pay back wages and damages to psychologist Clare Mundell. Mundell filed the lawsuit after learning her hourly rate of $50 was less than the $90 to $95 per hour made by men in her department. The judge, Lance Walker of U.S. District Court in Maine, wrote Tuesday that Mundell was “unlawfully underpaid by Acadia,” a psychiatric hospital in Bangor.
Maine lawmakers consider bill to end solitary confinement
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A legislative committee is considering a bill that would end the use of solitary confinement in prisons. The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee heard testimony Wednesday from prisoners, former prisoners and family members about the impact of long-term isolation on mental health. The bill provides a definition of “solitary confinement” to isolation in a cell for more than 20 hours a day. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Grayson Lookner, of Portland, said solitary confinement is counterproductive and increases the likelihood of recidivism.
SEVERED ARM
Police: Injury by man who severed arm was self inflicted
LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Lewiston police say a man discovered stumbling downtown with a severed arm is believed to have inflicted the injury himself. The victim was injured with a band saw used to cut meat last month, but police say he didn’t work at the market where the saw was located. Police who interviewed witnesses and reviewed hours of video footage announced this week that “it appears the incident was self-inflicted.”
AP-US-ODD-LONG-LOST-KITTY
Snowbird kitty: Lost cat heads home to Maine — from Florida
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine family that long ago gave up on a lost family cat is being reunited more than six years and 1,500 miles later. Denise Cilley, of Chesterville, says she was shocked to get a voicemail last week announcing her cat, Ashes, had been found in Florida. Ashes disappeared in 2015 during her daughter’s 10th birthday celebration. How she got to Florida remains a mystery. Ashes is being returned to Maine on Wednesday. Cilley says she plans to be on hand to collect her pet at Portland International Jetport.