School bus drags boy whose backpack strap was stuck in door
BUXTON, Maine (AP) — Officials say a school bus dragged a kindergartner about 575 feet after his backpack became stuck in the door. The boy’s mother, Athena Lavigne, watched in horror as her 6-year-old son’s backpack strap got stuck as the doors closed Thursday afternoon. She screamed and began running after the bus as it drove away. She eventually got the attention of the driver, who stopped. The driver was placed on administrative leave, and the boy was treated for road rash.
Rockefeller home on Maine’s Mount Desert Island to be razed
MOUNT DESERT, Maine (AP) — A billionaire is tearing down David Rockefeller Sr.’s home on Mount Desert Island to make way for something new. Danaher Corporation co-founder Mitchell Rales bought the 14.8-acre Ringing Point property for $19 million in January 2018, a year after Rockefeller died at the age of 101. The Bangor Daily News says a limited liability corporation that owns the home has obtained a demolition permit. The seven-bedroom house was designed in 1972 by Rockefeller’s wife, Peggy. The property is in Seal Harbor, which is part of the town of Mount Desert.
BRUSH FIRE-WHITE MOUNTAINS
Firefighters battle large forest fire in White Mountains
BARTLETT, N.H. (AP) — Firefighters in New Hampshire are battling a large forest fire that’s burned hundreds of acres in the White Mountains this weekend. The U.S. Forest Service said federal, state and local fire personnel responded to a fire on state land in Crawford Notch State Park at around 11 a.m. Saturday. The agency said the fire is burning in steep, mountainous terrain and is estimated to be about 250 acres in size. Fire officials said Saturday afternoon rains helped control the fire and there were no significant threats to life or property. Firefighters planned to return to the site Sunday to continue suppressing the blaze.
ELECTION 2022-DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION-MAINE
Gov. Mills touts fiscal record at Democratic convention
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Janet Mills is stealing a page from the GOP playbook by boasting of returning money to the state’s taxpayers and raising the rainy day fund to new heights. During her speech Saturday at Maine’s Democratic Convention, the first woman to serve as the state’s governor contrasted her fiscal and economic record with that of her Republican rival, former Gov. Paul LePage. Mills spoke to the party faithful at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor ahead of what’s expected to be a difficult, costly reelection campaign against the former two-term Republican governor.
SOLAR PROJECT
State approves 700-acre solar project in central Maine
UNITY, Maine (AP) — Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission has approved a 700-acre solar energy project billed as one of the largest in New England. Commissioners unanimously concluded that the Three Corners Solar Project in Benton, Clinton and Unity Township met regulatory requirements for the site but further regulatory approvals are needed. The partnership to build the Three Corners Solar project started in 2017, and the project site was located 6 miles from a substation in Benton, where it would connect with the electric grid. Boston-based Longroad Energy says the project would produce enough energy for 30,000 homes.
CAR DEALERSHIPS
Maine senator joins push to help car dealers during pandemic
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s independent senator has joined an effort to try to help car dealerships cope with supply chain difficulty. Sen. Angus King said dealerships in his state are facing higher costs and limited inventory due to supply chain disruption. He said he is co-sponsoring a bill that would offer a tax adjustment for dealerships that can’t maintain a minimum amount of inventory. King said current practices can result in a large tax bill for dealers that don’t maintain a minimum level of inventory at year’s end. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a shortfall in vehicles for sale.
TODDLER-NARCAN
Mom charged for giving opioid antidote to overdosing toddler
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A woman has been charged with child endangerment after she allegedly used the opioid antidote naloxone to revive her 2-year-old daughter. The toddler was allegedly overdosing after getting into the mother’s drugs. The Bangor Daily News reports the woman faces two charges: endangering the welfare of a child, and domestic violence reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. She was scheduled to make an initial court appearance Friday. District Attorney Christopher Almy said the prosecution will test Maine’s Good Samaritan law, which provides immunity to people who report an overdose or provide medical assistance.