Maine State News From The Associated Press 5-13-22

May 13, 2022 lupesoto Classic Hits Newswire
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Starbucks in Maine is first in state to announce union plan

BIDDEFORD, Maine (AP) — Workers at a Starbucks store in Maine have become the first in the state to announce their intent to unionize. The six employees at the Biddeford store joined workers at dozens of Starbucks locations around the country who have sought to unionize. The Bangor Daily News reports the employees filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board on Friday. The workers want to unionize with Workers United, which is an affiliate of Service Employees International Union. The union has worked to organize dozens of Starbucks locations since a Buffalo, New York, store became the first to successfully unionize last fall.

Maine children getting access to virtual dental services

HALLOWELL, Maine (AP) — Maine is now home to a network of virtual dental services that supporters said would make dental care more readily available to children. Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree, a supporter of the method, said Wednesday the practices are “virtual dental homes” in which children become patients with a dental practice but receive care in school and primary care settings. Services are delivered using telehealth technology. Pingree says the model will remove barriers to dental care in Maine, which she said has a high number of children who don’t receive preventative dental care.

Faculty furious over failure to disclose no confidence votes

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The University of Maine System chancellor who didn’t think a no-confidence vote was important enough to share with a search committee is now the subject of his own no-confidence vote. The faculty senate at the University of Maine at Augusta issued votes of no confidence this week in Chancellor Dannel Malloy and the presidential search that led to the hiring of Michael R. Laliberte to lead the Augusta campus. Malloy knew that Laliberte had been subjected to votes of no confidence at State University of New York at Delhi, but didn’t tell the search committee. The University of Maine System executive committee said it’s reviewing the matter.

US fishing haul fell 10% during first pandemic year

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — America’s commercial fishing industry fell 10% in catch volume and 15% in value during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say the 2020 haul of fish was 8.4 billion pounds, while the value of that catch was $4.8 billion. NOAA officials say the early months of the pandemic posed numerous challenges for the U.S. fishing industry, which they say has remained economically viable despite the difficult year. However, fishermen in some sectors still managed to have productive years. Value was still fairly high for harvesters of lobsters and sea scallops.

OBIT-CHURCH OF THE SAFE INJECTION DIRECTOR

Church of Safe Injection executive director dies at 33

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — The executive director of the Church of Safe Injection has died. Under Kari Morissette’s leadership, the organization became certified to operate needle exchange programs in Westbrook, Lewiston, Rumford, Bethel and Dixfield. Morissette recently lobbied for an expansion of the state’s Good Samaritan law that encourages people to report drug overdoses without fear of arrest. The governor signed the bill into law. The Church of Safe Injection declined to provide details on her death on May 6. She was 33.

SHERIFF RESCUED

Maine sheriff needed rescue after kayak capsized

STANDISH, Maine (AP) — Officials say the sheriff in Maine’s most populous county needed to be rescued after his kayak capsized in Sebago Lake. Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce suffered symptoms of hypothermia following the episode Wednesday and was taken to Maine Medical Center as a precaution. Joyce called for help as he clung to the overturned kayak. A passerby with a canoe helped Joyce get to shore in Standish. The water temperature was 48 degrees.

MAINE MARIJUANA

Maine clarifies marijuana rules to try to aid medical users

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine has clarified some of its marijuana rulemaking procedures in a move supporters say will protect medical users and growers. The bill to clarify new rulemaking parameters for the state Office of Marijuana Policy went into effect late last month as an emergency measure. Supporters of the proposal said Monday it makes changes to the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act to make it easier to understand. The Maine Legislature approved the bill unanimously.

BC-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK

Creeping COVID-19 cases result in few schools mask mandates

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — U.S. coronavirus cases are up, leading a smattering of school districts, especially in the Northeast, to bring back mask recommendations and requirements. Their return comes for the first time since the omicron winter surge ebbed and as the United States approaches 1 million deaths from the virus. Districts in Maine, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have brought masks back in schools, with a few in Massachusetts also recommending them. The uptick in cases is a vast undercount because testing has dropped considerably and most tests are being taken at home and are not reported to health departments.

MAN PRISON DEATH

Maine man dies months after assault in prison cell

WINDHAM, Maine (AP) — A Maine man who was incarnated at a Windham prison has died about four months after an assault in his cell that hospitalized him with a traumatic brain injury. The Maine Department of Corrections said 30-year-old Renaldo Jones died Tuesday. The Portland Press Herald reported Tuesday state officials have not released information about the cause or circumstances surrounding Jones’ death. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating. A state police spokesperson said they cannot reveal details of an ongoing investigation “but we will release additional information as soon as it’s appropriate.”