Maine Slows Spread of Emerald Ash Borer with Continued Ash Movement Restrictions

Public comments are sought regarding proposed rules to continue regulating the movement of products containing ash, hardwood firewood, and rooted ash trees.

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Plant Health Program (PHP) and Maine Forest Service (MFS) announced today that Maine is taking the next step to continue regulating the movement of ash wood material. Moving ash infested with Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) can spread this invasive insect to new areas. This decision follows USDA's January 14, 2021 announcement of removing federal domestic EAB quarantine regulations. DACF continues to see opportunities to slow EAB's spread; an estimated 90% of Maine's ash trees are outside of Maine's currently regulated areas. Ash is an important cultural resource for the Wabanaki, an important street tree, and a valuable timber species, accounting for around four percent of Maine's hardwood forest inventory.

Maine’s proposed EAB quarantine

More Than 8,500 Maine Small Employers Have Been Approved for More Than $601 Million in Forgivable Loans Since PPP’s Reopening

Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a co-author of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), announced today that 8,542 Maine small employers have been approved for a total of $601,296,036 in forgivable PPP loans since the PPP reopened last month, according to the latest data from the U.S. Small Business Administration.  

Senator Collins secured $284.5 billion for PPP in the December COVID-19 relief law.  Financial institutions across Maine and the country are currently accepting and processing PPP applications for eligible small businesses seeking a forgivable loan for the first time and for those hardest hit small businesses who may receive a second forgivable loan.  Under a new Biden Administration policy, beginning on Wednesday, February 24, there will be a two-week period during which only businesses with fewer than 20 employees may apply for a PPP loan.

“The latest PPP numbers showing that

Island Institute President Rob Snyder Announces Departure

Rockland, Maine – After 18 years of dedication to furthering the organization’s mission and values, with eight of those as president, Island Institute President Rob Snyder has announced that he will be stepping down from his leadership role at the end of April. During his tenure, Snyder has been a driving force behind the growth and success of the Rockland-based nonprofit and its support for Maine’s island and coastal communities.

 

“Rob’s vision and leadership will be greatly missed by the Island Institute’s staff, board, and nonprofit partners,” said Island Institute Board Chair Emily Lane. “His unique approach to exploration, innovation, and culture has been integral to the success of the organization. We are grateful for his dedication to Maine’s islands and coastal communities, and we wish him the best of luck in his next chapter.”

 

Snyder’s next role will be with ACME Smoked Fish Corp. as their first Culture and Sustainability Officer, where he will be able to put his leadership skills and approach to innovation to work for a fast-growing company with global impact. ACME Smoked Fish is a privately-owned company based in Brooklyn, NY, with manufacturing facilities across the eastern U.S., Chile, and Denmark. 

 

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this organization over the past 18 years,” said Snyder.

“I love the Island Institute and am very proud of what the organization accomplished during my tenure. We have a talented, dedicated team of people who truly care about the coast of Maine, are part of the communities we serve, and can flex to address any problem that our coast will face in the future. This organization has never been more vital.”

 

Over the next several months, the Board of Trustees will be working with a talent recruitment firm to conduct a national search for the Island Institute’s next president. As of March 15, Rob Beams, chief operating officer at the Island Institute, will serve as interim president for the duration of the recruitment process. 

 

Said Beams, “Rob’s foresight and guidance helped recruit an incredible staff, including a leadership team with the expertise to lead our organization through this transition to a new president. It’s an exciting time for the Island Institute. We're growing and hiring for new positions to build our teams and further strengthen our focus on climate action, the coastal economy, and investments in community infrastructure and leadership. We are committed to helping our islands and coast meet the challenges ahead, and we look forward to working with our partners, supporters, and communities to continue to build resilience along the Maine coast.”

UMaine pursues transformative $110M athletic facilities plan

Honoring Harold Alfond’s legacy of support for Maine education and athletics, University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Athletic Director Ken Ralph detail $110 million plan 

Orono, Maine — The University of Maine has unveiled its transformative $110 million athletic facilities master plan. The initiative honors Harold Alfond’s legacy of support for Maine education and athletics by providing modern facilities for all 17 varsity programs at Maine’s only Division I athletic program, and improving the overall UMaine student experience.

In October, the Harold Alfond Foundation announced an historic $500 million investment in Maine and its people. The University of Maine System is to receive $240 million over 10-12 years, including $90 million in support for UMaine’s $110 million Athletics Facilities Master Plan.

“Harold Alfond believed in the University of

Maine Placing Order for Tenth Week of COVID-19 Vaccines

AUGUSTA- The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced today that the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is preparing to place another order for first doses of COVID-19 vaccine, for 22,475 people, to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Operation Warp Speed. This is an increase of 1,000 doses over the current week's amount. This amount will be supplemented by 4,800 doses that the Federal government will supply directly to 24 Walmart and Sams Club pharmacies in Maine.

Maine CDC's order reflects the maximum

Mills Administration Updates COVID-19 School Health Advisory System

All counties now green with Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford, and York counties joining designation.

AUGUSTA -- The Mills Administration today released an update to its color-coded Health Advisory System that classifies counties’ relative risk of COVID-19 transmission to assist schools as they continue with their plans to deliver instruction and support to students safely.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services

Camden Garden Club Winter Horticulture Series

Camden, Maine - The Camden Garden Club Winter Horticulture Series will conclude at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 with the topic Seed Starting 101. The Camden Public Library will host the program on Zoom and anyone wishing to attend should email jpierce@librarycamden.org to request a Zoom link.

Anne E. Perkins will discuss how home gardeners can successfully propagate plants from seeds and will demonstrate tips and techniques. Perkins, a member of Camden Garden Club since 2010, is the owner of Headacre Farms in Owls Head.  She has been gardening since the age of four and has left a trail of gardens behind in places as varied as Florida and Alaska, as she followed her husband in his career.  Settling back in Maine in 2001, she is now able to devote herself to full-time gardening and is enjoying every minute of it!

Camden Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Maine and National Garden Clubs, Inc.  For more information about the club and its activities visit the club’s website www.camdengardenclub.org or contact camdengardenclub100@gmail.com .

Sea Dogs sign PDL with Red Sox

 Official MLB Press Release

Portland, Maine - The Portland Sea Dogs have accepted the invitation from Major League Baseball and the Boston Red Sox to join Major League Baseball’s new player development structure by signing a Professional Development License (PDL). The ten-year agreement will keep the Red Sox affiliation in Portland at least through the 2030 season.

The Sea Dogs will serve as Boston’s Double-A

WAVES First Instagram Contest Winner Meets Virtually with Senator Angus King

Maine - After an all-nighter of Senate votes last Thursday evening through 5:30am Friday, and a full day of Senate work thereafter, Maine’s Senator Angus King made sure to meet with Kalli Sternberg of Machias, a high school senior at Washington Academy in East Machias. Kalli was the winner of an Instagram photo contest hosted by the Maine Department Of Education’s new initiative WAVES (Wilderness Activities and Virtual Engagement for Students), which granted her the opportunity to meet with Senator King.  

Kalli’s winning photo, shared under the contest invitation to “post a picture that gives you a sense of peace and gratitude,” was taken on the cliffs of the Bold Coast trail in Cutler, overlooking the crashing waves and vast ocean before her. Senator King saw Kalli’s picture and reminisced about his visits to the area, including a recent RV trip with his wife to Cobscook Bay State Park, another breathtaking site in Washington County.  

While Kalli’s interview was scheduled for fifteen minutes, Kalli and Senator King’s conversation lasted for almost an hour, during which Senator King answered Kalli’s questions about his path to the Senate, his decision to enter politics, his advice for a young person embarking into adulthood, and how to have constructive conversations with people holding different beliefs and coming from varying perspectives. Senator King shared the importance of what he called “eloquent listening,” of seizing opportunities and engaging in experiential learning in all facets of life. Senator King also asked Kalli about her plans, interests, and experience as a high school student living and learning through COVID.  

Following the conversation with Senator King, Kalli commented that “It was wonderful to talk with Senator King and hear about his journey. I also appreciated his interest in my life and experiences. The lessons I gained from his advice, generosity and genuine curiosity will stay with me. Thank you, Senator!”  

WAVES is continuing its series of Instagram challenges, providing a range of opportunities for teens to connect with each other, the outdoors, and educators and leaders from throughout the state. Follow WAVES Project Director on Instagram (mainewavesdirector) for the latest updates and challenges. 
 

Just In: Case of B.1.1.7 COVID-19 Variant Confirmed in Maine

 AUGUSTA - The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) today announced that a case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 has been detected in Maine. This is the first case in Maine of this variant, which was initially discovered in the United Kingdom and has now been detected in 34 other states.

A Maine resident developed symptoms in early February and tested positive for COVID-19. A sample was sent to an independent laboratory as part of Maine CDC's process to identify potential COVID-19 variants. The Maine CDC was notified of the results this morning.

The individual is a resident of Franklin County with a history of recent international travel. The individual and other household members who tested positive for COVID-19 are isolating. Maine CDCs case investigation is ongoing, and close contacts are being identified and will be required to quarantine.

As of Tuesday, the U.S. CDC had reported 932 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant from 34 states in the United States. Maine CDC is in communication with the U.S. CDC about this case as it continues to track COVID-19 variants across states.

"We recognize the concern this case may cause, given that the B.1.1.7 variant appears to spread more easily," said Dr. Nirav D. Shah, Director of the Maine CDC. Given the number of cases already detected in other states, we expected the variant to arrive in Maine and have been on the lookout for it. It is more important than ever that Maine people remain vigilant in taking the steps that prevent the spread of COVID-19 - wearing face coverings, staying at least 6 feet apart, avoiding gatherings, and washing hands frequently.

Testing for the B.1.1.7 variant and other variants has been ongoing in Maine in collaboration with clinical diagnostic laboratories, including The Jackson Laboratory and the U.S. CDC. Testing consists of conducting genomic sequencing on a portion of COVID-19 positive test samples in Maine.

Public health experts expect that existing COVID-19 diagnostic tests will continue to detect variants of the virus. Scientific evidence suggests that currently available vaccines are effective against the B.1.1.7 variant. Given the increased transmissibility of this variant and the number of states and other countries that have found cases, more cases may be identified in Maine

At this time, the measures to protect public health remain the same. Maine people must continue to:

• Wear masks when out in public
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others
• Avoid gatherings
• Stay home when sick
• Wash hands frequently, and
• Get tested if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or are identified as a close contact.

Information on COVID-19 testing in Maine is available on the Keep Maine Healthy website.

RPL Construction Phase Informational Meeting - 2.18.21

 

Rice Public Library Project Construction Phase Informational Meeting Thursday, February 18, 2021 Please join the Town of Kittery, Rice Public Library Project Team and your neighbors for an information session on the construction phase of the Rice Public Library Renovation on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 6:00pm. The virtual meeting held via Zoom will include a presentation on the construction schedule, traffic logistics, work hours and what the library site will look like during construction. To register for the event, please click here.

National Youth Physical Fitness Campaign Launches in Maine

DON’T QUIT!® Campaign Will Deliver $100,000 Fitness Centers to Three Maine Schools

Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Department of Education announced today that the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC) has selected Maine for its 2021 DON’T QUIT! Campaign, a national effort to encourage physical fitness in youth. As part of the campaign, the NFGFC, which seeks to encourage and reward innovation in the field of youth fitness, will gift DON’T QUIT! Fitness Centers to three Maine schools that use new and unique methods to promote student physical activity and wellness to help them construct fitness centers.

“The coronavirus pandemic has only

Summit to Bring Natural Gas Service to Maine Midcoast in $90 Million Expansion Project

 

Summit to Bring Natural Gas Service to Maine Midcoast in $90 Million Expansion Project

This project will reduce emissions while creating increasing energy options for residential and commercial customers in Knox and Waldo Counties

BELFAST, ME – Summit Natural Gas of Maine (Summit) today announced plans to extend their service territory into Maine’s Midcoast with a $90 million investment in the region. The company’s expansion into Knox and Waldo Counties will bring safe and reliable natural gas to residential and commercial customers in communities along the Route 1 corridor including, Belfast, Camden, Rockland, Rockport, and Thomaston, allowing many of them to convert from oil to cleaner burning natural gas.

“Whether it comes to building the businesses driving our new economy or warming our homes, Mainers need access to a consistent, reliable fuel sources like natural gas,” said Summit’s CEO Kurt Adams. “The Midcoast is one of the last commercial centers in Maine without natural gas service, which is why Summit is committed to bringing this energy option to communities along Route 1. We are very excited to help Belfast, Camden, Rockland, and other towns in the region strengthen their economies while providing them with a lower emission fuel alternative. Over the first five years of the project, we estimate that we will be able to reduce emissions by 263,000 metric tons, which is equivalent to taking 57,000 cars off the road.”

“On behalf of myself and the City Council, I wholeheartedly welcome Summit Natural Gas of Maine to Belfast,” said Mayor Eric Sanders. “Summit offers a long overdue choice for Belfast residents when it comes to their energy source. From pricing to environmental benefits, this is a unique opportunity for our region.”

Converting from oil to natural gas is one way to reduce the carbon footprint of a home or business. In fact, when you convert a home from an inefficient oil system to a highly efficient national gas system, you can reduce its emissions by 38 percent1. This is the equivalent of installing solar panels on two individual Maine homes.

“I am pleased to learn that Summit Utilities will be bringing natural gas to the Midcoast area and especially Rockport. Summit’s extension of gas service creates a new option for economic development and for the environmentally minded. Just as businesses require a variety of fuel sources to meet their unique energy needs, folks in the Midcoast will now have an additional option for heating their homes as they see fit,” said Rockport Town Manager William Post.

To ease conversion costs for customers, Summit is offering rebates of up to $3,300 for residential and $6,600 for commercial customers.

Roughly 100 new jobs will be created in the Midcoast by the construction of the $90 million project. Following completion of the project’s initial phases, Summit will have invested more than $450 million in Maine’s economy over the last decade to build out their pipeline infrastructure. In addition, Summit looks forward to employing highly skilled union labor by continuing its long-time partnership with the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) for completion of the majority of this project.

“Our members are some of the hardest working, most highly skilled professionals in the state of Maine,” said Laborers' Local 327 President Chris Tucker. “This project will create good paying jobs with excellent benefits for local workers. We look forward to our continued partnership with Summit on this project.”

Summit hopes to break ground on the project in the fall install a main pipeline system intended to accommodate Belfast, Camden, Rockport, Rockland, and Thomaston. Service is expected to start for residential and commercial customers alike in late 2022 following the completion of an initial phase of the project. By 2026, Summit hopes to have made service available to more than 6,500 customers and extended their footprint into the towns of Lincolnville and Northport.

If you are interested in converting to natural gas, please call Summit at 1-800-909-7642 Ext. 6 or visit the website at https://summitnaturalgasmaine.com/MidCoast.

ArtLab Video Series for February Vacation Week

ArtLab Vacation Week Video Series from CMCA

Rockland, ME — The Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA) invites artists of all ages to join ArtLab educators Mia Bogyo and Alexis Iammarino for fun, hands-on projects you can try at home as part of ArtLab February Vacation Week.

Taking inspiration from the 2020 CMCA Biennial, the video workshops will explore exciting and varied approaches to artmaking. Looking to Biennial Artists Tom Jessen and Fanny Brodar, participants are invited to embrace the parallels between the process of making art and the excitement and structure of playing games.

New videos of fun, hands-on activities will be posted to cmcanow.org and faceook.com/cmcanow during February Vacation Week, February 15-18 by 10:30 am. Participants are invited to engage in real time or revisit the videos at their convenience. A list of materials to be used in the workshops will be made available in advance on CMCA's website and Facebook page. Each afternoon at 3:30pm join Alexis and Mia for a live streamed show and tell via Zoom. To participate, email mbogyo@cmcanow.org for the Zoom Link and Password.

For local participants, complimentary ArtKits are available for pick up at CMCA on Wednesday, February 10 through Saturday February 13, 11am -3pm.

ArtLab Vacation Week is made possible by the support of Wells Fargo, Margaret E. Burnham Trust, Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust, and individual donors.

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ABOUT CMCA

CMCA is a contemporary arts institution presenting year-round exhibitions, engaging events, and educational programs for all ages.

Location: 21 Winter Street, Rockland, ME. Hours: November – May, Wednesday - Saturday, 11am to 5pm, Sunday, noon to 5pm. Closed Federal holidays.

NOTE: CMCA is temporarily closed to the public.

Mills Administration Announces Landmark Agreement that Charts Path Toward Ending Three-Decades Long AMHI Consent Decree

The Mills Administration today announced a new landmark agreement (PDF) that charts a path toward ending the Augusta Mental Health Institute (AMHI) Consent Decree. For more than three decades, the Consent Decree has required the State to build and maintain a comprehensive mental health system that meets the needs of Maine people due to historic failures to do so.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); Office of the Maine Attorney General; counsel for the Consent Decree plaintiffs, Disability Rights Maine; and Court Master Daniel Wathen have agreed to a set of evidence-based, measurable performance standards that support timely access to mental health care, protect client rights, and establish compliance requirements that, if met, could potentially end the Consent Decree within two years.

The agreement also includes expansion of advocacy through Disability Rights Maine,

Maine Places Order for Ninth Week of COVID-19 Vaccines

AUGUSTA- The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced today that the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is preparing to place another order (PDF) for first doses of COVID-19 vaccine, for 21,475 people, to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Operation Warp Speed.

This is an increase of 5 percent, or 1,100 doses, over the current week's amount and is expected to remain the same for the next three weeks.

Governor Janet Mills welcomed the Biden