AUGUSTA — The first flu cases of the season were detected in Maine early last week, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday.
Kelley Bouchard
Staff Writer
Kelley writes about some of the most critical aspects of Maine’s economy and future growth, including transportation, immigration, retail and small business, commercial development and tourism, with emphasis on consumer issues, sustainability and minority ownership. Her wider experience includes municipal and state government, education, history, human rights, health and elder care, the environment and the housing crisis. A Maine native and University of Maine graduate, she was a college intern for two summers at the former Lewiston Evening Journal. She previously worked at the Ipswich Chronicle, Beverly Times and Salem Evening News in Massachusetts. Favorite pastimes include gardening, cooking for family and friends, streaming foreign TV series and kayaking at camp.
Maine confirms first influenza cases of season
Cases of Influenza A were confirmed in Aroostook County, Penobscot County and Cumberland County.
Freeport Exit 20 targeted for unusual upgrade
The proposed “diverging diamond interchange” would be the first in Maine.
Longtime Freeport town manager retires this week
Dale Olmstead’s replacement, Peter Joseph, former town manager of Lincoln, N.H., started last month.
Yarmouth Water District to pay fine for razing historic house
North Yarmouth agrees to accept $32,688 – the cost of a penalty plus legal fees.
Mainers missing out on tax and rent refunds
Each year, about half of the estimated 200,000 eligible households in Maine apply for a property tax or rent refund from the state. Given the average refund was $479 last year, consistently low participation in the Maine Resident Property Tax and Rent Refund Program is a curiosity, officials said, especially in a tough economy.
Sen. Snowe to appear on ‘Parks and Rec’ tonight
Actor Adam Scott says Snowe is a “smart, sophisticated” woman.
Mixed reviews for state’s Business Friendly labeling program
In the last few years, Cumberland officials have hired an economic development director, streamlined the project-review process, launched a local business association and started recruiting companies to move to the rural coastal town.
Pro-business vetting confounds towns
The state’s new Certified Business Friendly Community Program, started by Gov. Paul LePage and overseen by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, is getting mixed reviews from some who have participated in the process and others interested in economic development in Maine.
After a long wait, Downeaster to open in Brunswick and Freeport
After years of planning and increased ridership, the Downeaster will start providing daily passenger service to Freeport and Brunswick on Nov. 1.