Former Katahdin region mills investor declares bankruptcy in New Hampshire

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 14, 2020

The private firm that leveraged $16 million in public money for its failed restart of East Millinocket’s Great Northern Paper Co. mill has filed for bankruptcy. Cate Street Capital listed its assets as slightly more than $200,000 in cash and said it owes more than $800,000 in legal bills and potentially $2.8 million for natural gas and equipment. The eventual bankruptcy of Great Northern left behind a trail of debt that the attorney overseeing the case attributed in part to mismanagement, as managers at Cate Street inked unfavorable deals with related companies plunged the company into more debt and despite clear signs that it was out of cash.

Acadia National Park navigates new era for iconic lighthouse

ACADIA ON MY MIND BLOG • May 14, 2020

Acadia National Park is poised “any day now” to take over the vacant Bass Harbor Head Light Station, setting the stage for a new era for the iconic lighthouse, one of the most popular attractions within the park’s boundaries. The Coast Guard currently owns the iconic lighthouse and other structures and has been planning to transfer it to Acadia since 2017. When it assumes ownership, the National Park Service is hopeful of finding a partner to staff, operate and maintain the lighthouse and other buildings.

Emera Maine gets a new name after sale to Alberta company

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 14, 2020

Maine’s second-largest electric utility now has a new name. Emera Maine will now be known as Versant Power. The name change comes after ENMAX Corp. of Calgary, Alberta, completed a $959 million transaction to acquire the utility from its parent company, Nova Scotia-based Emera, in March. With assumed debt, the deal was worth $1.3 billion.

Bear spotted wandering in Portland neighborhood

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 14, 2020

A bear was spotted roaming the Riverton neighborhood in Portland Thursday morning. A resident off Stuart Street reported seeing a bear in a neighbor’s yard early Thursday morning, police said. Police said there have also been recent reports of a bear in the area of Castine Avenue. Both of those streets are off outer Forest Avenue and abut a large wooded areas alongside the Maine Turnpike and the Riverside Industrial Parkway. Police reminded residents that bears will be attracted to a free meal even in a residential area. 

Opinion: It’s clearer than ever that Maine needs local parks and green spaces

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 14, 2020

Maine’s green spaces and waterways are a lifeline for us, and they will continue to be in the days and months ahead. That’s something our public officials need to remember as they respond to the novel coronavirus and lay the pathway for recovery. For more than 50 years, the  Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped to protect our most precious natural lands while expanding access to parks and recreation in our own neighborhoods. However, over the years, Congress has diverted more than half of the funding from LWCF to other budget items. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to invest in our community’s open spaces and to fully, permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. ~ Anya Fetcher, Environment Maine

Letter: Respect science, medicine as we fight two threats

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 14, 2020

I’m 23 and a youth vote organizer with NextGen Maine. I’m fighting for more progressive, fact-based governance because my generation now faces not one, but two existential threats: climate change and the coronavirus pandemic. In a time when we should be listening to doctors and scientists more than ever, it often feels as though scary or inconvenient facts are swept under the rug for economic and political reasons. ~ Keanna Daniels, Presque Isle

Letter: South Portland emissions mar enjoyment of clearer skies

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 14, 2020

We are being told, during these times of social distancing, that the reduction in traffic on our highways and streets has led to reduced measurements of pollutants in our air. On days when the sun is out and people are out walking, they can see how much clearer the sky seems as they breathe more easily and deeply of the cleaner air. Wouldn’t it be a golden opportunity for the Department of Environmental Protection to measure the actual emissions from the Global Partners and other tanks that have been troubling those of us who live near them? Let’s measure the tanks while we know there is pollution reduction from reduced traffic and see where the chips fall. ~ Nicholas Goldman, South Portland

Letter: John Nutting deserves support

SUN JOURNAL • May 14, 2020

While many individuals and organizations have been influential in the Androscoggin River’s cleanup, I would like to recognize John Nutting for his significant efforts in that area. In 1988, Nutting authored the Color-Odor-Foam Clean River Bill. In 1996, he authored the Dioxin Bill. Then, in 2006, he authored a bill to lower phosphorous discharge into the river. With the return of the river’s viability, Leeds, Livermore and Turner have garnered both environmental and economic benefits. ~ Ann Edwards, Leeds

Letter: Continue climate work

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 14, 2020

COVID-19 hasn’t shut down climate change, and it’s good to know the Maine Climate Council moves forward. To reduce Maine greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050, we need decisive action. I urge the Maine Climate Council Working Groups to propose — and members to adopt — a strong and effective Climate Action Plan with concrete steps that will grow Maine’s economy, reduce air pollution, and build healthy, resilient and equitable communities. My thanks go out to the more than 200 members of the Maine Climate Council and it’s six working groups. ~ Christopher Strobel, Camden

Upstream Cobbossee takes over Gardiner High students’ alewives effort

TURNER PUBLISHING • May 13, 2020

Tens of thousands of alewives are churchng at the base of the paron at Gardiner Paperboard Dam, the first dam on Cobbossee Stream, trying to get upstream to spawn. Upstream Cobbossee is grateful for the citizen science work that juniors at Gardiner High School have done since the project began three years ago. By sampling hundreds of alewives deach spring, researchers are getting a better idea of what fish passage restoration could mean. This spring, with school physicallly closed, Upstream board members and activists suited up, put on face masks and set up shop on the rock pile immediately downstream of the dam to try to fill in for the student-scientists of Gardiner Area High School.

Central, western Maine bike shops see surge in sales during stay-at-home order

SUN JOURNAL • May 13, 2020

Local bike shops in Central and Western Maine have seen a surge in sales and tuneup appointments as a result of Maine’s stay-at-home order nearly two months ago. However, some shop owners said they can’t find a steady supply of affordable bikes to keep up with the demand.

Arundel Conservation Trust hosting food drive

SEACOAST ONLINE • May 13, 2020

What does a Conservation Trust do when it can’t build trails with its dedicated volunteers? It finds another way to help the community. The COVID-19 lockdown has been very tough for many friends and neighbors. Lost jobs and the inability to open businesses have left many needing some extra help. Because food supply is the most urgent need, the Arundel Conservation Trust is conducting a food drive through May 16.

Column: Maine bird expert braves polar vortex to compete in World Series of Birding

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 13, 2020

It was a dark and stormy night. And that was the best part of the day. May 9 was International Migratory Bird Day. It was also the date of Maine Audubon’s entry into the World Series of Birding. And it was the date of a major polar vortex that dumped springtime snow all over Maine’s daffodils — something I could not have foreseen when I agreed to be part of a team that would compete in the most intense birding competition in America. Most importantly, the team wanted to prove to the world that Maine has incredible birding. We found 139 birds, under the worst possible conditions, before many species had even returned to the state. ~ Bob Duchesne

Mills extends coronavirus state of emergency for another month

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 13, 2020

For the second time, Gov. Janet Mills extended her civil state of emergency proclamation for another month on Wednesday, giving her more time to access federal funding and use certain powers to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The order now extends until June 11.

New state boat launch, accessible family fishing area approved for Togus Pond in Augusta

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • May 13, 2020

The state’s first fully accessible family fishing area is coming to Togus Pond.

A new state boat launch — and what officials said will be the state’s first fully accessible family fishing area — was approved by Augusta’s Planning Board Tuesday night, though numerous camp and homeowners expressed concern the improved public access will bring unwanted activity to the publicly-owned body of water. Officials said the additional boat traffic on Togus Pond will be negligible because the new launch will only have parking spaces for seven vehicles with trailers.

Column: The best of the worst climate change cases

MORNING SENTINEL • May 13, 2020

While you have been distracted by staying home, trying to educate your kids, or fighting for your inalienable right to infect your neighbors and co-workers with deadly illness, a more catastrophic threat to the human race has continued to boil along in the background. I mean climate change. Science did not get us into the COVID-19 pandemic, but it can get us out. It did provide the tools that got us into the climate crisis, and now it’s the only way out. Come hell or high water. Or both. ~ Dana Wilde

Avangrid sues to block November referendum on hydropower line

SUN JOURNAL • May 13, 2020

Avangrid Networks asked a court Wednesday to block state officials from putting a referendum on the November ballot that could overturn the decision by regulators to allow the construction of a controversial 145-mile hydropower transmission line. The suit argues the referendum would be unconstitutional because it tramples on the rights of regulators, legislators, judges and other officials to weigh the issues involved in the proposed project. Sandi Howard, of the NO CMP Corridor PAC, called the suit “just CMP’s latest stunt to try and keep the people of Maine from having a say over their for-profit corridor project.”

Fairy barf, British soldiers and other odd lichen you can find in the Maine woods

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 13, 2020

Lichens are among the many fascinating and beautiful things found in the Maine outdoors, and they come in all colors, shapes, textures and sizes. Throughout the wilderness, lichens cling to boulders, wrap around tree trunks, trail from branches and pop up from the ground. Lichens are types of fungi that form relationships with algae or cyanobacteria to survive. In this partnership, the fungus usually acts as the house or shelter. In return, the algae or cyanobacteria produces food through photosynthesis. When you start to look for them, you find that lichens are absolutely everywhere.

Free lead tests for gardeners in four high-risk areas of city

FORECASTER • May 13, 2020

As residents get outside and start their gardens, the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District is reminding them to pay attention to the health of their soil, especially when it comes to lead levels. The Windham-based organization is offering free lead soil tests to residents in Bayside, East Bayside, Parkside and the West End, sections of the city that are considered at high risk for soil contamination.