Inmate stopped from escaping through hospital ceiling tiles
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Corrections workers in Maine thwarted an attempt by an inmate to escape from custody through bathroom ceiling tiles when he was at a hospital. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said the inmate tried to climb through the ceiling tiles at Maine Medical Center in Portland on Tuesday morning. The office said the inmate was in restraints at the time and was in the process of being discharged from the hospital. The sheriff’s office said corrections staff intervened and prevented the escape without further incident.
MACHETE KILLING
Man awaiting trial held on $200K after conviction overturned
ALFRED, Maine (AP) — A Maine man whose murder conviction was overturned by the state’s highest court will have to pay $200,000 in bail to leave jail while he awaits a new trial. Bruce Akers has been held without bail since his 2016 arrest stemming from the death of his neighbor, Douglas Flint. He was initially found guilty and sentenced to 38 years in prison, but the court overturned the conviction last year. The Portland Press Herald reports Akers’ case was in court for a hearing on Tuesday. His attorney, Kristine Hanly, asked that he be released. The judge instead set the bail at $200,000.
MAIL DELIVERY-POTHOLES
Mail suspended for some northern Mainers due to potholes
DYER BROOK, Maine (AP) — Residents of a town in far northern Maine are experiencing trouble with mail delivery that officials blame on roads full of potholes. WGME-TV reports officials with the postal service told Dyer Brook officials last week that mail carriers were suspending deliveries because of unsafe roads. Officials said deliveries have resumed as the potholes are starting to get filled in. Still, the town planned to hold a meeting about the subject on Tuesday.
PFAS LAWSUIT
Maine attorney general plans to sue over PFAS contamination
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said the state is preparing for a lawsuit against manufacturers of so-called forever chemicals. Frey said at the Democratic State Convention last weekend that steps are being taken to hold “these chemical manufacturers to account.” He said an announcement could be made within weeks. The Bangor Daily News reports that the attorney general is enlisting outside counsel to assist his office. The state asked law firms to submit proposals for the work last fall.
HYDROPOWER TRANSMISSION CORRIDOR
Staff proposal would retain permit for $1B transmission line
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A proposed Maine Board of Environmental Protection order would let stand a permit issued for an electric transmission corridor to serve as a conduit for Canadian hydropower. The draft order was written by staff in advance of hearings this week that were postponed because of COVID-19 illnesses. Maine Environmental Commissioner Melanie Loyzim suspended the permit after the project was rebuked in a statewide referendum. But the board must still issue a final decision on appeals. The state supreme court is also weighing appeals related to the $1 billion project.
BEACH SAND COLLAPSE-TEENS
Teen dies, sister rescued in New Jersey beach sand collapse
TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — An 18-year-old male died while playing with his sister at a New Jersey beach when a large hole they were digging in the sand collapsed, police said. His sister was also trapped but was rescued and treated at the scene, the Toms River Police Department said in a statement. It said police and emergency medical personnel were sent to the beach entrance on the barrier island shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday. The family was visiting from Maine.
KINDERGARTNER DRAGGED
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.