Maine: All counties now safe for in-school instruction
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Maine Department of Education says every county in Maine is now safe for in-person learning in schools.
The state has been using a color-coded system to advise schools of the level of risk of coronavirus transmission.
The education department says Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford and York counties have all been moved to the “green,” or lowest risk, category.
The education department says the counties “have seen dramatic drops in their new case rates and positivity rates for the past two weeks, and are now aligned with other counties.
” It’s the first time every county in the state has been in the green category since the middle of October.
Girl who fell from chairlift in Maine released from hospital
CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine (AP) — An 8-year-old girl who fell from a chairlift at a Maine ski resort has been released from a hospital with minor injuries. The girl, who was wearing a ski helmet, fell 20 to 25 feet at Sugarloaf ski resort on Wednesday. Rescuers were able to get into position underneath her with a mat. The Sun Journal reports the girl was airlifted to Northern Light Medical Center in Bangor and is now in good spirits according to her mother.
Not-so-ruff news: Dog owners have to June to renew licenses
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Janet Mills has signed an executive order allowing more time to renew dog licenses. Owners now have until June 2. Dog owners are required to vaccinate their dogs for rabies to apply for a license. That typically needs to happen in the owner’s city or town by the end of the calendar year. However, the coronavirus pandemic necessitated adjustments to the system. The licenses are available online. Dog owners might face late fees if they wait until later than June 2.
Apprenticeship act to include Maine lobstermen, loggers
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Some of Maine’s most longstanding industries will be eligible for federal funding under an expanded apprenticeship program. The National Apprenticeship Act of 2021, passed earlier in February, calls for an investment of $3.5 billion to expand the apprenticeships around the U.S. It includes an amendment from Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine to make agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting eligible for the money through the U.S. Department of Labor. Golden said his amendment was intended to “make sure Maine logging, lobstering, farming, and other industries are eligible to use the grants in the bill to offer more apprenticeships to Mainers who want to learn a trade.”