27 Romanians turned back after illegally crossing into Maine
Baby lobster numbers remain below average off New England
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A trend of fewer baby lobsters appearing in a key fishing ground off New England appears to be continuing. The baby lobsters settle at the bottom of the ocean, take shelter, and grow. Members of the fishing industry closely watch trends about lobster settlement because they provide insight into what adult lobster populations could look like in future years. University of Maine scientist Rick Wahle, who has documented baby lobster density for decades, says a trend of below average settlement numbers in the Gulf of Maine continued in 2021. The gulf stretches from Canada to Cape Cod and is critical to the lobstering business.
SMELT RESTORATION
Maine looking for citizen scientists to track spawning smelt
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A group of Maine conservation organizations and a state agency are looking for volunteers to help with a project to restore a species of important fish to the state’s waters. The Maine Department of Marine Resources has been working to rebuild the population of rainbow smelt for several years. The fish are especially popular with ice fishermen in the state. The marine department, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the Downeast Salmon Federation and The Nature Conservancy are looking for volunteers to help with a coastwide spawning smelt survey this spring.
PUBLIC DEFENDERS-MAINE
ACLU sues over inequities in Maine’s public defender system
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine is suing the system that provides attorneys to those who can’t afford them. The organization says Maine fails to provide adequate representation for low-income residents. The class action lawsuit filed Tuesday in Kennebec County contends the state failed to train, supervise and adequately fund a system that’s supposed to ensure the constitutional right to effective counsel. Maine is the only state that hires and assigns private attorneys for all “indigent” cases. The director of the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services says he agrees in principle that more resources and structural updates are needed.
MAINE BUDGET
Governor wants to boost taxpayer giveback as surplus grows
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Janet Mills is proposing bigger taxpayer refunds — $750 instead of $500 — thanks to a rosier-than-expected revenue forecast. Maine’s revenue forecasting panel on Tuesday announced it’s projecting an additional $411.6 million in revenue. The extra revenue puts the projected surplus over $1 billion through June 2023, but the governor’s administration warned of uncertain times ahead. The cost of oil, inflation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine could further disrupt economic markets. The checks could go out to an estimated 800,000 residents in July if her budget is approved by lawmakers.
VETERANS HOME CLOSURE
Vets home says closing 2 Maine facilities is “only course”
CARIBOU, Maine (AP) — A nonprofit group that runs veterans homes in Maine says it has no choice but to close two facilities despite calls from state officials to keep them open. Maine Veterans’ Homes in Machias and Caribou are expected to close this spring. Maine’s congressional delegation, Gov. Janet Mills and others have said the closures would have dire consequences for veterans. Christine Henson, a spokesperson for Maine Veterans’ Homes, said Tuesday the closure of the two homes is the only course it has to best serve veterans in the future. She said the organization has 640 beds across its homes and is caring for only 384 veterans.
COURTHOUSE DOG
Aroostook County to have dedicated courthouse therapy dog
HOULTON, Maine (AP) — An Aroostook County courthouse is poised to be the first in Maine to have a dedicated therapy dog to provide emotional support for people dealing with traumatic experiences. A yellow Labrador puppy named Holiday has begun up to two years of training with a goal of becoming a calming presence in a stressful environment. District Attorney Todd Collins tells the Bangor Daily News that courthouse dogs can help traumatized children and victims of crime. He says they can also provide emotional support for law enforcement officers, first responders and others, too.
ANTI-SEAFOOD AD-AIRPORT
Maine governor angles for fight with PETA over seafood ad
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s governor wants the state’s busiest airport to get rid advertisements that are meant to discourage people from eating seafood. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which is known for provocative advertising campaigns, purchased the ads at Portland International Jetport. They show whales entangled in fishing gear and include the words “Save the whales: Don’t eat fish.” Democratic Gov. Janet Mills sent a letter to the airport’s director stating that the advertisements are meant to undermine “a vital and iconic sector of our state’s economy.” The ads are slated to come down Saturday either way.