ShareA Republican member of the Legislature’s Taxation Committee is under fire for attending a committee meeting Wednesday using a Zoom videoconferencing backdrop that featured a reference to convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein.Rep. Bruce Bickford, R-Auburn, appeared in the committee’s online meeting by video Wednesday with a background screen showing a sign that reads in part: “Harvey Weinstein Charm School … Center.” Bickford’s head blocked part of the sign’s message.Bickford left the meeting in less than 15 seconds, and when he returned several minutes later the background image had been...…ShareA Republican member of the Legislature’s Taxation Committee is under fire for attending a committee meeting Wednesday using a Zoom videoconferencing backdrop that featured a reference to convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein.Rep. Bruce Bickford, R-Auburn, appeared in the committee’s online meeting by video Wednesday with a background screen showing a sign that reads in part: “Harvey Weinstein Charm School … Center.” Bickford’s head blocked part of the sign’s message.Bickford left the meeting in less than 15 seconds, and when he returned several minutes later the background image had been...WW…

SharePeople enter and leave the MaineHealth COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Scarborough Downs on March 16.State health officials launched a website on Tuesday that will allow Maine residents 16 and older to preregister for vaccination against COVID-19 and eventually schedule appointments.The website is still being developed but will not be the statewide, centralized registration and appointment system envisioned during the early weeks of Maine’s vaccination campaign. Instead, the new site appears geared toward smaller or newer vaccination providers that do not already have easy-to-use online...…SharePeople enter and leave the MaineHealth COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Scarborough Downs on March 16.State health officials launched a website on Tuesday that will allow Maine residents 16 and older to preregister for vaccination against COVID-19 and eventually schedule appointments.The website is still being developed but will not be the statewide, centralized registration and appointment system envisioned during the early weeks of Maine’s vaccination campaign. Instead, the new site appears geared toward smaller or newer vaccination providers that do not already have easy-to-use online...WW…

ShareAUGUSTA — A bill that will require the Legislature to assess the racial impact of pending legislation was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills on Wednesday.Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross, sponsor of the bill that will create a process to review all legislation for potential impacts on historically disadvantaged populations. 2016 photo byThe bill, sponsored by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, calls for creating a process to review all legislation for potential impacts on historically disadvantaged populations. Legislative committees would have the authority to...…ShareAUGUSTA — A bill that will require the Legislature to assess the racial impact of pending legislation was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills on Wednesday.Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross, sponsor of the bill that will create a process to review all legislation for potential impacts on historically disadvantaged populations. 2016 photo byThe bill, sponsored by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, calls for creating a process to review all legislation for potential impacts on historically disadvantaged populations. Legislative committees would have the authority to...WW…

ShareA Superior Court judge ruling’s Wednesday may have created another hurdle for the builders of a 145-mile energy transmission corridor through northwestern Maine.Justice Michaela Murphy ruled that the Maine Bureau of Public Lands did not have the authority to lease public reserve lands to CMP affiliate NECEC Transmission LLC, which is building the corridor, without first determining whether the lease would substantially alter the land in question. If a review finds the state-owned land would be significantly altered because of the lease, the question would go to the Legislature, Murphy...…ShareA Superior Court judge ruling’s Wednesday may have created another hurdle for the builders of a 145-mile energy transmission corridor through northwestern Maine.Justice Michaela Murphy ruled that the Maine Bureau of Public Lands did not have the authority to lease public reserve lands to CMP affiliate NECEC Transmission LLC, which is building the corridor, without first determining whether the lease would substantially alter the land in question. If a review finds the state-owned land would be significantly altered because of the lease, the question would go to the Legislature, Murphy...WW…

ShareIt looks like Maine’s old state flag won’t be new again, at least not officially.The Maine House rejected a bill Wednesday that would have – featuring the state’s seal set against a dark blue background – with the flag that officially represented the state at the beginning of the 20th century.Dueling Maine flags: The original, left, which some have advocated for adoption, and the current flag, which bears the Maine state seal.That flag, with its green pine tree and blue North Star set against an off-white background, was used as Maine’s official flag from 1901 to 1909 before lawmakers...…ShareIt looks like Maine’s old state flag won’t be new again, at least not officially.The Maine House rejected a bill Wednesday that would have – featuring the state’s seal set against a dark blue background – with the flag that officially represented the state at the beginning of the 20th century.Dueling Maine flags: The original, left, which some have advocated for adoption, and the current flag, which bears the Maine state seal.That flag, with its green pine tree and blue North Star set against an off-white background, was used as Maine’s official flag from 1901 to 1909 before lawmakers...WW…

ShareValerie DeMerchant, a Hannaford pharmacist at Elm Plaza in Waterville, injects James Merrill of Yarmouth with the Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccine on Friday.Maine’s COVID-19 vaccination program has administered a new average high of more than 10,000 doses per day over the past seven days, even as the state prepares for a smaller vaccine delivery this week than last.Maine’s seven-day daily average was 10,442 doses per day on Monday, up from about 7,000 to 7,500 per day from Feb. 10-28, thanks to a recent boost in supply from the federal government.Dr. Nirav Shah, Maine...…ShareValerie DeMerchant, a Hannaford pharmacist at Elm Plaza in Waterville, injects James Merrill of Yarmouth with the Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccine on Friday.Maine’s COVID-19 vaccination program has administered a new average high of more than 10,000 doses per day over the past seven days, even as the state prepares for a smaller vaccine delivery this week than last.Maine’s seven-day daily average was 10,442 doses per day on Monday, up from about 7,000 to 7,500 per day from Feb. 10-28, thanks to a recent boost in supply from the federal government.Dr. Nirav Shah, Maine...WW…

ShareThis 2016 photo shows in the inside of Bill’s Pizza on Commercial Street in Portland. The slice shop was a popular spot for the Old Port bar crowd before the pandemic.Late-night Old Port revelers – what’s left of them – will have to go elsewhere to satisfy their after-midnight pizza cravings. Bill’s Pizza is closing.But doughnut fans can rejoice – The Holy Donut announced that it will return to the Old Port this summer in the former pizza restaurant’s space at 177 Commercial St.The owners of Bill’s Pizza announced on that its last day in business will be Sunday. The Old Orchard Beach...…ShareThis 2016 photo shows in the inside of Bill’s Pizza on Commercial Street in Portland. The slice shop was a popular spot for the Old Port bar crowd before the pandemic.Late-night Old Port revelers – what’s left of them – will have to go elsewhere to satisfy their after-midnight pizza cravings. Bill’s Pizza is closing.But doughnut fans can rejoice – The Holy Donut announced that it will return to the Old Port this summer in the former pizza restaurant’s space at 177 Commercial St.The owners of Bill’s Pizza announced on that its last day in business will be Sunday. The Old Orchard Beach...WW…

ShareAUGUSTA — Capitol Police Chief Russell Gauvin has been temporarily relieved of his command after coming under fire last week for comments and posts he shared on Facebook disputing the election results and criticizing COVID-19 mask mandates.Lt. Robert Elliot, a 32-year veteran of the force, is temporarily leading the Capitol Police, Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Katy England said in a statement.Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck took the step after a group of 71 state lawmakers asked him to put Gauvin on administrative leave while his posts are investigated. The...…ShareAUGUSTA — Capitol Police Chief Russell Gauvin has been temporarily relieved of his command after coming under fire last week for comments and posts he shared on Facebook disputing the election results and criticizing COVID-19 mask mandates.Lt. Robert Elliot, a 32-year veteran of the force, is temporarily leading the Capitol Police, Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Katy England said in a statement.Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck took the step after a group of 71 state lawmakers asked him to put Gauvin on administrative leave while his posts are investigated. The...WW…

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, 2nd District, shown at an event in Lewiston in November, said Monday he would support President Trump’s impeachment “without reservation.”As the House prepared to impeach President Trump for a second time, Rep. Jared Golden announced Monday evening that he will support the effort.Golden, a two-term Democrat representing Maine’s 2nd District, joins Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, in seeking the president’s removal for fomenting the deadly mob attack on the U.S. Capitol intended to overturn a democratic election and keep himself in power.“I will vote to impeach...…U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, 2nd District, shown at an event in Lewiston in November, said Monday he would support President Trump’s impeachment “without reservation.”As the House prepared to impeach President Trump for a second time, Rep. Jared Golden announced Monday evening that he will support the effort.Golden, a two-term Democrat representing Maine’s 2nd District, joins Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, in seeking the president’s removal for fomenting the deadly mob attack on the U.S. Capitol intended to overturn a democratic election and keep himself in power.“I will vote to impeach...WW…

ShareA Massachusetts man accused of killing his domestic partner on a beach in York was charged with murder Friday night, state police said.Police say the body of Rhonda Pattelena, 35, of Bedford, Massachusetts, was found on Short Sands Beach after multiple people called 911 at 3:54 p.m. Friday to report a man assaulting a woman behind a large rock on the beach. Jeffrey Buchannan, 35, also from Bedford, was detained by responding officers and taken to the York Police Department, where he was charged with murder, Maine State Police said.Pattelena and Buchannan were domestic partners and have...…ShareA Massachusetts man accused of killing his domestic partner on a beach in York was charged with murder Friday night, state police said.Police say the body of Rhonda Pattelena, 35, of Bedford, Massachusetts, was found on Short Sands Beach after multiple people called 911 at 3:54 p.m. Friday to report a man assaulting a woman behind a large rock on the beach. Jeffrey Buchannan, 35, also from Bedford, was detained by responding officers and taken to the York Police Department, where he was charged with murder, Maine State Police said.Pattelena and Buchannan were domestic partners and have...WW…