Fraudulent applications sought $6.4M in rent relief in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine State Housing Authority has detected 408 fraudulent applications in a COVID-19 rent relief program that would’ve cost the state $6.4 million. The state’s Emergency Rental Assistance funds came from two federal COVID-19 relief packages passed by Congress in December 2020 and March 2021. The Bangor Daily News reports that community agencies working to distribute the funds identified more than 90% of the fraudulent claims.
TRIPLE KILLING TRIAL
Maine man man convicted in fatal shootings of 3 people
BELFAST, Maine (AP) — A Maine jury has convicted a man of killing three people, rejecting his claims that the shootings were accidents and self defense. Thomas Bonfanti was accused of traveling to three homes and killing three people in February 2020 in Washington County. One victim survived being shot in the neck. A jury on Wednesday convicted the 65-year-old Northfield resident of murder, aggravated attempted murder and elevated aggravated assault. The prosecutor described Bonfanti’s claims that he shot two people by accident and the other two in self defense as “pure and utter nonsense.”
TURNPIKE TRAFFIC
Travel was lighter than expected on Memorial Day in Maine
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Officials say the Memorial Day weekend travel on the Maine Turnpike was lower than expected, falling short of the previous record. The Portland Press Herald reports that toll transactions were about 7% lower than in 2019, a record-setting year with over 1 million transactions. The Maine Turnpike Authority had projected more than 1.4 million transactions over the most recent holiday weekend. Record-high gas prices and unsettled weather in some areas were likely factors in the lower-than-expected numbers of cars and trucks.
MOOSE COLLISION
Maine police ask drivers to look for moose after I-95 crash
SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) — Police in Maine are reminding drivers to be cautious about moose on roads and highways after a person was injured in a collision with one of the giant animals. The crash happened in the early morning hours of Wednesday in the southern Maine town of Scarborough on Interstate 95. The car collided with a moose and then hit a passing tractor trailer. Police said the driver of the car and two other occupants were transported to a hospital for injuries that were not life threatening. The moose died in the collision.
RELIEF CHECKS
$850 checks to most Mainers soon despite envelope shortage
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Most Maine residents will soon receive $850 checks to help them cope with inflation after a shortage of envelopes and paper products threatened to slow delivery. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said Wednesday her administration will send the first round of the checks this week. Mills says an initial 5,000 checks are to be sent on Thursday and an estimated 200,000 will be mailed per week after that. The Maine Legislature approved the rebate program, which returns more than half of the state’s $729 million budget surplus to residents.
AP-US-FOREVER-CHEMICALS-FOOD-PACKAGING
Pressure growing to remove PFAS from fast food wrappers
BOSTON (AP) — Environmental and health groups are pushing dozens of fast food companies, supermarkets chains and other retail outlets to remove PFAS from their packaging. Known as “forever chemicals” for their persistence in the environment, PFAS have been used for decades to prevent grease, water and other liquids from soaking through wrappers, boxes and bags. Opponents of the practice argue that PFAS-treated packaging poses a danger to consumers as well as the environment, since the waste ends up as landfill. in compost or incinerated where the chemicals can leach into groundwater or the soil. They contend there are safer alternatives.
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
COUPLE DEATH
Vehicle owner sought in investigation of couple killed
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Authorities are seeking to identify and speak with the owner or driver of a vehicle in connection with their investigation of a shooting that left a Concord couple dead. Stephen and Djeswende Reid left their apartment complex on April 18 and went for a walk toward some trails. Their bodies were discovered the night of April 21 in the area of Broken Ground Trails, near the Marsh Loop Trail. They died of multiple gunshot wounds. Concord police want to contact the individual who owns or was operating a dark green Toyota RAV4, with a model year between 2006-2012. The vehicle was parked at the Marsh Loop trailhead on April 18.