“On Thursday the Trump administration issued new guidelines for states, individuals, and employers on how to ease up on social distancing in areas where COVID-19 is on the decline. The guidelines were published under the headline “Opening Up America Again,” a nod to President Trump’s campaign slogan. The White House calls for a phased approach and says there is certain criteria states should meet before beginning the phases. On Friday Maine Gov. Janet Mills issued a response to the President’s guidelines.”
“The outbreak of the coronavirus began in Wuhan China back in December, and since sickened more than one million people around the world. In Maine, the unrelenting journey officially began on March 21, and has changed day-to-day life as we know it. Here is a timeline key events.”
“More than 1,000 Mainers have responded to NEWS CENTER Maine’s ongoing poll about election issues ahead of the primary and general election. The poll lists 12 of the major issues at the forefront of political discourse in the upcoming election: education, environment and climate change, equality, foreign policy, gun control, health care, immigration, infrastructure, labor and business, leadership, military and defense, taxes and the economy.”
“There has been an explosion at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay. Franklin County Sheriff's Dept. says crews are responding and entrances to the mill on Crash Road and Riley Road are closed. Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Steve McCausland said plant managers told the Fire Marshals Office that all employees and contractors have been accounted for with no injuries. Seven fire departments responded and dealt with a small fire inside the plant.”
“Super Tuesday is quickly approaching, and the Democratic presidential race is heating up—the debate in Las Vegas this week was proof of that. Candidates will fight to win primaries—and important delegates—in 15 jurisdictions, including Maine, on March 3. Endorsements from party and local leaders in the community are powerful showings of support and help influence how voters view candidates. Here’s how the candidates’ public support with Mainers is going so far.”
Editorial nominated for a 2019 NENPA award.
“This was the feel-good story of the month. We covered it, the Vineyard Gazette covered it, and other news organizations big and small attempted to cover it as well. But missing from the photos of Gwen Lynch’s smiling face and her graduation celebration in the tiny town of Gosnold on Cuttyhunk Island was the intrusion by a national network shamelessly throwing its considerable weight around.”
“Families and loved ones gathered at the Edgartown Lighthouse Children’s Memorial for the annual Celebration of Remembrance on Saturday afternoon. The ceremony, held every September, was started by Rick Harrington 18 years ago in honor of his son, Ricky Harrington III. The memorial added 39 new names this year, and now holds 849 stones honoring children of all ages from all over the country.”
“Sara Gideon, Maine state House Speaker and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, reported $3.5 million raised in the fourth quarter of 2019. According to a press release Tuesday, Gideon’s grassroots support had contributions from nearly 4,200 Mainers, with nearly 95 percent of individual donations under $100.”
“On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 7-2 decision that a woman’s right to choose an abortion was protected by the privacy rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. Forty-seven years later, the divide among pro-life and pro-choice supporters remains widespread, and reproductive rights are still at the forefront of political discourse.”
“In addition to voting for a Presidential Party Candidate in the Maine March 3 Primary, Mainers will vote on Question 1, a people’s veto about Maine vaccination laws.”
“Project Vine, a community-based learning program for students enrolled at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS), dedicated an outdoor space just outside the Project Vine office at the high school. Project Vine students, parents, and teachers gathered for their end-of-the-year celebration on Monday night, and capped it off by unveiling the space, which will be known as the Jake Sequoia Baird Memorial Outdoor Classroom. Jake Baird, who died in a tragic car accident last year, was a student enrolled in the Project Vine program.”
"Everything has led up to this. Witnesses. It’s been the topic of discussion throughout the entire impeachment process, especially since a sample of former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s book was released to the New York Times this week.”
“The essence of a powwow is community. Tribes from all over the country come together to share food, healing, dancing, culture, medicine, and oral history, Narragansett Indian Tribe dancer John Thomas III explained. All were on display this weekend in Aquinnah for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) annual Powwow.”
“Tucked away down a typical Island dirt road in West Tisbury, the Island Gymnastics facility looks like nothing more than a large, lackluster building. When you step inside though, it becomes something else entirely. Kids are lined up in sparkly leotards, excited and restless to get into the gym and begin warming up, and the gym somehow emotes happiness with its new, vibrant purple spring floor mat. The sense of joy was probably always there when kids walked into class at Island Gymnastics Teaching School (IGTS), but the mat is new; and that’s thanks to Peter Goodale, who donated the $20,000 mat last month.”