Aroostook County to have dedicated courthouse therapy dog
HOULTON, Maine (AP) — An Aroostook County courthouse is poised to be the first in Maine to have a dedicated therapy dog to provide emotional support for people dealing with traumatic experiences. A yellow Labrador puppy named Holiday has begun up to two years of training with a goal of becoming a calming presence in a stressful environment. District Attorney Todd Collins tells the Bangor Daily News that courthouse dogs can help traumatized children and victims of crime. He says they can also provide emotional support for law enforcement officers, first responders and others, too.
Maine governor angles for fight with PETA over seafood ad
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s governor wants the state’s busiest airport to get rid advertisements that are meant to discourage people from eating seafood. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which is known for provocative advertising campaigns, purchased the ads at Portland International Jetport. They show whales entangled in fishing gear and include the words “Save the whales: Don’t eat fish.” Democratic Gov. Janet Mills sent a letter to the airport’s director stating that the advertisements are meant to undermine “a vital and iconic sector of our state’s economy.” The ads are slated to come down Saturday either way.
Vermont to pull Russian-owned liquor from state agent stores
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont Gov. Phil Scott says he has directed the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery to remove Russian-owned liquor from the shelves of state agent stores and to stop buying from Russian-owned distilleries until further notice. Scott, a Republican, says he will issue an executive order later this week with more action and state sanctions. Vermont will pursue to respond to what he called an “illegal and heinous” Russian invasion of Ukraine. He says the Ukrainian people “are fighting for the same values we believe in” and that people should support them.
CHILD INJURED-SETTLEMENT
Mother nears settlement over clinic failure to report abuse
ORONO, Maine (AP) — Court records say a Maine parent reached an agreement to have the federal government pay $10 million, after a medical clinic did not tell her or the state about signs of abuse of her young son. On Monday, The Bangor Daily News reported the settlement between the mother and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would set aside $7 million for the boy’s long-term medical care. The boy suffered significant injuries from the abuse, which was caused by an ex-boyfriend of the mother. A federal judge must still approve the settlement.
RACIAL INJUSTICE-NATIVE STATUE
Statue to mark drowning of Native American leader’s son
SACO, Maine (AP) — A local organization has won a grant to erect a proposed statue of a Native American leader, his wife and his son. A contemporary account says the child drowned as an infant when English settlers overturned the family’s boat in 1675. The Portland Press Herald reported Monday that the Biddeford Culture and Heritage Center has not yet secured a location for the statue of Sachem Squando of the Saco Tribe and his family. The Bangor-based Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation has given a $40,000 grant to the heritage center for the proposed project.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-MAINE
Maine governor wants to ban Russian vodka, spirits
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Janet Mills is asking stores and restaurants to remove Russian alcohol brands from their shelves, and she’s also calling on State Liquor and Lottery Commission to ban Russian-sourced spirits. Mills made the announcement on Monday as she signed a proclamation declaring the state’s solidarity with Ukraine. The governor cannot act unilaterally on banning Russian-sourced vodka and other spirits. It would be up to the liquor commission to vote stop providing Russian alcohol in Maine.
COLD CASE KILLING
State wants Portland man to be held without bail for killing
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A judge is considering whether to permanently revoke bail for a man charged last year in a 2011 killing in Portland. Abdi Awad was at the Maine State Prison serving a sentence for aggravated assault when he was charged in the death of Allen MacLean, of South Portland. On Monday, prosecutors said he should be held without bail pending trial. The judge took the matter under advisement. Awad was serving a 12-year sentence at the Maine State Prison when he was arrested. .
CASEWORKER BURNOUT
Maine might limit workload for family service caseworkers
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers are considering a proposal to limit the workload of child and family services caseworkers to try to prevent burnout. Democratic Rep. Colleen Madigan of Waterville proposed the change, which she said is designed to help caseworkers within the Office of Child and Family Services and children they serve. The bill would require the state to make sure caseworkers aren’t working more than 60 hours over seven consecutive days or 70 hours over eight consecutive days. Last year was the worst year on record for child deaths in Maine, and supporters say the bill’s a response.