Waters off New England hit record fall temperature in ’21
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine science center reports a body of water off New England and Canada had its warmest fall surface temperatures on record last year. The Gulf of Maine has long been a focus of climate scientists because it is warming faster than most of the world’s oceans. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute said last week that average sea surface temperatures in the gulf reached 59.9 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius). The Portland Press Herald reports the figure is about 7% higher than long-term average.
Supporters of consumer-owned utility aiming for 2023 ballot
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Supporters of a referendum drive aimed at establishing a consumer-owned utility will extend their time frame for collecting signatures — delaying a potential vote until next year. Canvassers fell short of their goal of collecting roughly 63,000 signatures for the 2022 ballot. But Stephanie Clifford, campaign manager for Our Power, said they gathered nearly three-quarters of the needed signatures, and will continue their effort in coming months. The referendum drive gathered steam after Democratic Gov. Janet Mills vetoed a bill to buy out Maine’s privately owned electric utilities and replace them with a consumer-owned utility.
ELECTION 2022-MAINE-GOVERNOR
Maine governor outraising ex-gov in reelection drive so far
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s Democratic governor is outraising her chief opponent in her drive for reelection so far. The campaign to reelect Gov. Janet Mills, elected in 2018, said Tuesday the governor has raised more than $1.6 million. The campaign of former Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who held the office from 2011 to 2019, said it has raised almost $900,000 so far. Campaign filings for the final six months of the year were due to the state on Tuesday. Mills and LePage were often rivals during LePage’s tenure as governor, during which Mills served as the state attorney general.
MOOSE HUNT-MAINE
Maine moose hunters had less success than normal in 2021
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine moose hunters had less success than usual during last year’s hunt despite an increase in hunting permits. The Bangor Daily News reports the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said 68% of hunters harvested a moose during the fall hunt. It was the third-lowest success rate in the four-decade history of the modern moose hunt. Moose hunters had a better year in 2020, when more than 76% successfully bagged a moose. That was the highest percentage in eight years at the time.
SENATOR RESIGNS-NEW POST
Maine state senator resigns to take job in federal SBA
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Democratic state senator in Maine says he will resign to take a post within the federal government. Sen. Louis Luchini of Ellsworth said Tuesday his new job is as an advocate within the U.S. Small Business Administration. His role will be to work with small business owners, government agencies, trade associations and others in the six New England states. Luchini has served in the Maine Legislature since his election to the Maine House of Representatives in 2010.
QUARRY DISPUTE
Small town is against big quarry near Penobscot River
HEAGAN MOUNTAIN, Maine (AP) — A dispute is heating up between residents of a small town on the Penobscot River and a Virginia-based mining company that wants to quarry granite there. The company applied for two key permits last month. Salmons, Inc. has already purchased most of Heagan Mountain in Prospect, a town of 600. The Bangor Daily News reported Tuesday that many who live there are bitterly opposed to the $12 million dollar mining project. The company is now asking the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for permits to build a mineral processing facility and associated pier on Bowden Point.
GAS PRICES
Gas prices up in Vermont, down in Maine and New Hampshire
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Gas prices are again a mixed bag in northern New England. GasBuddy says the average price in Maine fell a little more than a penny over the last week to $3.38 per gallon. The service said Monday that prices in the state remain about 3 cents lower than a month ago. The price in Vermont rose a little less than a cent to $3.35 and the price in New Hampshire fell 2.1 cents to $3.24.
FATAL SHOOTING-PROVIDENCE
Police: Providence’s 1st homicide victim of year from Maine
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Providence, Rhode Island’s first homicide victim of 2022 was identified by police as a resident of Maine. Police said Tuesday that 35-year-old Biniam Tsegai, of Portland, and 28-year-old Merhawi Berhe, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, had apparently been at an illegal after hours club when they were approached by a group of four men at about 3 a.m. Sunday. Police say one of the four took out a gun and shot Tsegai and Berhe. Tsegai was pronounced dead at the scene. Berhe was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where he underwent surgery and is recovering. The four men who approached the victims remain at large.