MAINE GOVERNMENT-SOFTWARE
Vendor aims to get Maine software upgrade across finish line
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The state of Maine has selected a new vendor to complete the job of replacing the state’s outdated human resources management software and bringing it online. Accenture, a global consulting powerhouse, is tasked with getting the project across the finish line after the state already has spent at least $35 million over six years and two governors without a functioning system. The Portland Press Herald reports that the state estimated a year ago that a fully functioning system would cost $55 million. That’s more than four times what was expected when Gov. Paul LePage’s administration first launched the replacement effort in 2016.
BEACHES CONFERENCE
Conference about Maine, NH beaches back after 3-year hiatus
SOUTH BERWICK, Maine (AP) — A conference about the health of the Maine and New Hampshire coasts is coming back after a three-year hiatus. The 13th biennial Beaches Conference is scheduled to take place on June 10 at Berwick Academy in Maine. The conference is intended to bring together scientists, students, regulators and many others to brainstorm about the future of the region’s beaches. Officials with University of Maine say the conference themes this year include tourism, coastal management and community resilience in the era of climate change.
PUBLIC DEFENDERS-MAINE
Lawsuit over Maine’s public defender system to proceed
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A lawsuit over Maine’s system that provides attorneys to those who can’t afford one is being allowed to proceed. The class-action lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine contends there’s a failure to train, supervise and adequately fund a system to ensure the constitutional right to effective counsel for defendants. Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy late last week rejected the state’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Maine is the only state in the nation without a public defender’s office for people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.
LORING-PFAS
Air Force to further investigate chemicals at closed base.
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — The U.S. Air Force plans to test at least 20 sites at the former Loring Air Force Based for contamination by so-called forever chemicals. Officials are concerned that PFAS contamination from firefighting foam on Loring’s runway may have spread elsewhere. So far, it has not been found in any drinking water supplies. The Bangor Daily News reported that a previous analysis showed low levels of PFAS, warranting further investigation.
POLICE SHOOTING
Man fatally shot by police in northern Maine confrontation
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (AP) — Officials say a man threatened a motorist with an assault rifle a day before he was killed in a confrontation with a police officer in northern Maine. Presque Isle Police say 25-year-old Jacob Poitraw was shot after ramming a police officer’s cruiser several times Sunday evening during a pursuit. He died later at a hospital. Presque Isle Police were on the lookout for Poitraw after being contacted about the road-rage incident Saturday evening. The officer who fired the fatal shot is on administrative leave while the attorney general investigates.
LEAD IN SCHOOLS
Many Maine schools need to test for lead in drinking water
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine health authorities are extending a deadline for schools to test for lead in drinking water. Lead exposure can cause health and behavioral problems, especially in young children. It can enter drinking water through lead pipes. The Maine Legislature passed a law in 2019 requiring all schools to test for lead between Oct. 1, 2021, and May 31 of this year. WCSH-TV reports the Maine Center for Disease Control said it’s extending the deadline because a large number of schools recently submitted samples for lab analysis.
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
AP-US-BROADBAND-FUNDS
Four states receive first allocations of $10B broadband fund
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The U.S. Treasury Department is sending more than half a billion dollars to expand broadband access in four U.S. states. It’s part of a sweeping new national initiative to provide affordable internet service to rural and low-income Americans. Louisiana, New Hampshire, Virginia and West Virginia are the first states to benefit. The money should bring internet service to 200,000 homes and businesses. To get the money to build out their networks, service providers must offer discounts to customers and offer service at download and upload speeds of at least 100 megabytes per second. It’s part of the $10 billion American Rescue Plan Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund program.
MISSING GIRL-NEW HAMPSHIRE
Missing girl’s stepmom pleads not guilty to perjury charges
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The stepmother of a New Hampshire girl who disappeared in 2019 at age 5 has entered not guilty pleas to two perjury charges accusing her of lying to a grand jury. Kayla Montgomery is accused of lying last month about the location of a prior job and the time of a prior shift. Her lawyer said authorities allege she lied about those details for November or December of 2019, about the time they believe Harmony Montgomery went missing. Kayla Montgomery was arrested Friday. Earlier this year, she was charged with theft by deception after police said she falsely claimed that Harmony was living with her in order to collect welfare benefits. She pleaded not guilty.