Maine colleges must provide transcripts to students who owe
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Post-secondary schools in Maine must now provide transcripts and diplomas for students and graduates even if they owe money. Officials said Tuesday that Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has signed the change into law. The law requires the schools to provide the materials if the student needs them for circumstances such as applying for a job, furthering their education or career training or pursuing military service. The new law also prompts the student and school to communicate about past-due fees and debts. The law goes into effect three months after the Maine Legislature adjourns.
Maine superintendent accused of restraining child resigns
OXFORD, Maine (AP) — A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. Oxford Hills Superintendent Monica Henson’s resignation was unanimously accepted Monday night after School Administrative District 17′s directors gave her a unanimous no confidence vote. She was placed on administrative leave in January after being accused of grabbing and restraining a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. A phone number could not be located for Henson, and she didn’t immediately respond to electronic messages.
Maine man sentenced to life in prison for double-killing
BELFAST, Maine (AP) — A Maine man charged with killing his sister and brother-in-law has been sentenced to life in prison. Sixty-eight-year-old Glenn Brown of Benton pleaded no contest to the killings of Richard Bowden and Tina Bowden in October 2020 at the couple’s home in Waldo. According to police documents, there was a family feud over the estate of Brown and Tina Bowden’s stepfather. Tina Bowden died at the scene, and her husband died at a hospital. Both had been shot. Brown went to the Belfast Police Department to report the shootings.
FATAL BOATING CRASH
Agencies investigating apparent fatal canoe accident
ORRINGTON, Maine (AP) — The Maine Marine Patrol and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an apparent fatal boating accident in Orrington. Several agencies were searching the river on Monday for a second person after a body was recovered the night before in Orrington. A canoe that’s believed to related to the incident was recovered Monday morning.
MAINE LEGISLATURE-VETERAN HOMES
Board formally votes to keep open pair of veterans’ homes
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Veterans’ Homes board has voted to keep open facilities in Caribou and Machias after the governor signed into law a bill banning closures without legislative approval. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills on Monday called it a “much-deserved victory” for veterans, their families and workers. The board took action on Friday, a day after the governor signed the bill that was unanimously approved by both chambers of the Legislature. The Maine Veterans’ Homes operates facilities in Augusta, Bangor, Scarborough and South Paris, in addition to Caribou and Machias.
CHILD CARE TAX CREDITS
Lawmakers approve plan for tax credits to expand child care
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers are closing in on final approval of a proposal to provide tax credits to help grow child care providers in the state. The program is designed to support early care and education centers. Proponents of the bill say it would encourage administrators and teachers to improve their training through refundable tax credits. The Maine House of Representatives enacted the proposal last week. It’s based on a program called the School Readiness Tax Credits program in Louisiana.
FIRE TOWER FALL
Hiker injured after fall from fire tower climbed for photo
CHATHAM, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game says a hiker fell and was seriously injured while climbing a fire tower on Mount Kearsarge North in Chatham. The department says the 25-year-old hiker from South Portland, Maine, climbed to the top of the tower to take photos and then fell. He landed at the base of the tower. The hiker’s companion rendered first aid and another hiker who witnessed the fall called for help. An Army National Guard helicopter extracted the hiker almost three hours after the fall.
OFFSHORE WIND-MAINE
Maine panel to advise about offshore wind port development
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A new advisory group in Maine will work with state officials about the development of offshore wind ports. The Maine Department of Transportation said the panel will be called the Offshore Wind Port Advisory Group. The agency says the group will advise it and other officials about the potential development of wind port facilities needed for Maine to become a leader in offshore wind energy. The group is also expected to create a forum for public engagement about the development of the ports.