Maine State Archives Launches Online Catalog Portal
The Maine State Archives has launched its first-ever catalog of its holdings via the online ArchivesSpace portal at https://archives.maine.gov/.
For the first time in the Maine State Archives’ 56-year history, researchers can now search through the bureaus listing of collections online to see if the Archives is the right resource for their purposes before contacting an archivist to access the actual documents.
The launch of the Maine State Archives’ ArchivesSpace portal is the product of five years of work, recently accelerated by the inventory necessitated by the ongoing extraction of holdings from the Cultural Building during building repairs.
The new ArchivesSpace catalog makes the Archives more accessible than ever before by listing the full scope of holdings, and it serves as an important electronic resource for staff as well.
Only about half the state archives across the country have completed this type of public-facing indexing. ArchivesSpace is a nonprofit organization created by archivists, hosting finding aids for subscribers on the cloud.
The Maine State Archives maintains approximately 100 million pages of official State records considered to be permanently valuable, such as bills introduced in the Legislature, Governor’s Executive Council reports, election returns, deeds, maps, and military records through World War I. In addition, the bureau’s Records Management section is the custodian of all State records that must be retained for certain statutory periods.
The Maine State Archives is a treasure trove of information about our state’s history. Students are now able to access remarkable primary source documents from the classroom or their living rooms for research and learning.
Tax Check Off – Maine Children’s Cancer Research Fund
New for 2021: Mainers will be given the option to donate to the Maine Children’s Cancer Research Fund on their Maine State income tax forms. If you are a Maine taxpayer, you can download your Schedule CP Form to check off a donation or let your tax preparer know you would like to support the Fund.
Here is the individual income tax form required for Charitable Contributions and Purchase of Park Passes.
Maine Audubon Junior Duck Stamp Challenge
A Scientific and Artistic Opportunity for K-12 Students
Maine Audubon is collaborating with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the 27th annual Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program and Art Contest, and they are looking for Maine students to submit creative, innovative, and beautiful waterfowl art!
Educators can download a free dynamic, multidisciplinary curriculum that teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school. The Program encourages students to explore their natural world, invites them to investigate biology and wildlife management principles, and challenges them to express and share what they have learned with others. This Program and curriculum lend themselves to learning in a variety of forms, i.e. remote, hybrid teaching, and in-classroom instruction.
Click here to see the winners of the 2019-2020 Maine Junior Duck Stamp Challenge!
Join Maine Audubon on Zoom on Jan 14 for information on the curriculum and background information on waterfowl, as well as Jan 28 on drawing tips and techniques. Click here for more information, to register for the free training and to download the curriculum.
BMV Is Fully Open for Business, All Credentials Must Now Be Renewed
Maine’s Secretary of State recently announced the reinstatement of regular deadlines and requirements for renewals of BMV-issued licenses, State IDs, and other credentials.
All driver’s licenses, driver permits, State identification cards, commercial driver licenses, dealer licenses, salvage motor vehicle recycler licenses, driver/rider school licenses, and instructor licenses that expired since the beginning of the state of civil emergency must now be renewed.
The Office of the Governor, by executive order issued Dec. 31, 2020, has rescinded the March 23, 2020 order that extended the expiry of these credentials. Additionally, driver license vision screening requirements that were waived since last spring are once again in effect. Motorists who require a vision screening must visit a BMV branch office or provide documentation from their optometrist as part of their license renewal process. Vision screenings are required at license renewal for those ages 40 to 45, 52 to 57, and ages 62 and older.
The executive order also reinstates all registration requirements for vehicles and trailers after transfer of title or ownership.
The original executive order was implemented due to the pandemic-related closure of Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices in March, and is no longer necessary, as all BMV branches have now reopened to the public for walk-in transactions.
Mainers can renew their credentials by visiting any Bureau of Motor Vehicles office during business hours, 8:00-4:30 p.m. The public is advised to check the Web site or call prior to visiting to ensure that they have all necessary documentation in hand. Alternatively, many motorists can complete their renewal transactions online, depending on their situation.
All BMV branch offices are complying with the State’s pandemic prevention measures, including providing personal protection equipment for BMV employees, installing physical barriers to maintain distance, and implementing increased hygiene procedures, such as wiping down surfaces.
All patrons will be asked to confirm upon arrival that they have not been exposed to COVID-19, and will be required to wear a face covering during their visit, to be removed only for license and ID card photographs.
Camping Reservations Opening Day is February 1
Book your summer solace! Reservations begin in February. Note the two dates: 2/1 and 2/5.
Campground Reservations Call Center Opens for:
ONLY Sebago Lake State Park on Monday, February 1, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EST*Online Campground Registration and information is at www.CampWithME.com
*Storm Date if Maine State Government is closed – Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
Group Camping Reservations also begin. Phone numbers are listed on this linked page.
All Others – Friday, February 5, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EST. for all 12 of the State Park Family Camping Sites. (Storm date if Maine State Government is closed – Monday, February 8, 2021.)
Campground Rates by location
Campground Maps & Campsite Photos
Pets at campgrounds and in the parks
RVs & Campers information
Reviews by Rubys on the Road
Call for Artists – Allagash Wilderness Waterway Visiting Artist Program 2021
Applications may be submitted for the Allagash Wilderness Waterway 2021 Visiting Artist Program beginning on Monday, February 1. Application deadline is February 28.
The Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW) has fueled the imagination of native Americans, rusticators, and artisans for centuries. When Henry David Thoreau made his journey to Pillsbury Island on Eagle Lake in the mid-1800s, he was inspired to write about his adventure in The Maine Woods. Since then, many visitors have attempted to capture the Allagash headwater lakes and lower river’s beauty and solitude through stories, drawings, photography, and music.
To honor this history, the AWW is continuing its Visiting Artist Program. The program’s goal is to immerse an artist in the exceptional AWW wilderness to interpret and share their experience through their art.
The selected artist will receive:
Rustic cabin lodging* on the Waterway for two weeks during the month of August
An orientation to the Waterway by AWW rangers
Opportunity to invite one guest to join them free of charge
Please note that no stipend is provided.
* The one-room cabin provided is located at Lock Dam on the northern end of Chamberlain Lake. It is approximately 10 miles from the boat launch at the southern end of Chamberlain Lake and 60 miles from the nearest town, Millinocket. It does not have electricity. It has hand-pumped running water, a woodstove, gas appliances (cookstove, and refrigerator) and solar-powered lights.
Learn more about this program by:
Watching the conversation with Michael Vermette to hear about his experience on the AWW as the First Visiting Artist.
Visiting the AWW webpage: maine.gov/allagash- where a link to additional information and the online application will be live on 2/1/2021.
211: Services and Support
Find services in your area by selecting an area of need or by searching by keyword. You can also dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211.
COVID-19 Information
Due to the spread of COVID-19, many agencies have changed how they offer programs and services. Contact 211 Maine to learn about the types of assistance available during the pandemic.
Heating Fuel Payment Assistance
If you need help paying to heat your home, 211 Maine can help connect you with heating fuel assistance programs to keep you and your family safe and warm.
Housing
Learn about programs that offer rental assistance, subsidized housing, and housing vouchers that can help families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities afford housing.
Substance Use Resources
Find resources for drug and alcohol addiction treatment, support, and rehabilitation. If you or a loved one are struggling with opiate addiction, 211 Maine can help you find information about local programs.
Maine Statewide Crisis Hotline
1-888-568-1112 (Voice) or 711 (Maine Relay)
The Maine Crisis Hotline helps to stabilize individuals and families while assisting in crisis resolution and action planning. If you are concerned about yourself or about somebody else, call the 24-hour crisis hotline and speak with a trained crisis clinician who can connect you to the closest crisis center.
For more information visit: https://heretohelpmaine.com/.
2021 Tax Filing Season Begins Feb. 12;
IRS outlines steps to speed refunds during pandemic
The Internal Revenue Service announced that the nation’s tax season will start on Friday, February 12, 2021, when the tax agency will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax year returns.
The February 12 start date for individual tax return filers allows the IRS time to do additional programming and testing of IRS systems following the December 27 tax law changes that provided a second round of Economic Impact Payments and other benefits.
This programming work is critical to ensuring IRS systems run smoothly. If filing season were opened without the correct programming in place, then there could be a delay in issuing refunds to taxpayers. These changes ensure that eligible people will receive any remaining stimulus money as a Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their 2020 tax return.
To speed refunds during the pandemic, the IRS urges taxpayers to file electronically with direct deposit as soon as they have the information they need. People can begin filing their tax returns immediately with tax software companies, including IRS Free File partners. These groups are starting to accept tax returns now, and the returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting February 12.
Last year’s average tax refund was more than $2,500. More than 150 million tax returns are expected to be filed this year, with the vast majority before the Thursday, April 15 deadline.
Overall, the IRS anticipates nine out of 10 taxpayers will receive their refund within 21 days of when they file electronically with direct deposit if there are no issues with their tax return. The IRS urges taxpayers and tax professionals to file electronically. To avoid delays in processing, people should avoid filing paper returns wherever possible.
Tips for taxpayers to make filing easier
To speed refunds and help with their tax filing, the IRS urges people to follow these simple steps:
File electronically and use direct deposit for the quickest refunds.
Check IRS.gov for the latest tax information, including the latest on Economic Impact Payments. There is no need to call.
For those who may be eligible for stimulus payments, they should carefully review the guidelines for the Recovery Rebate Credit. Most people received Economic Impact Payments automatically, and anyone who received the maximum amount does not need to include any information about their payments when they file. However, those who didn’t receive a payment or only received a partial payment may be eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their 2020 tax return. Tax preparation software, including IRS Free File, will help taxpayers figure the amount.
Remember, advance stimulus payments received separately are not taxable, and they do not reduce the taxpayer’s refund when they file in 2021.
Key filing season dates
There are several important dates taxpayers should keep in mind for this year’s filing season:
January 15. IRS Free File opens. Taxpayers can begin filing returns through Free File partners; tax returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting Feb. 12. Tax software companies also are accepting tax filings in advance.
January 29. Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day to raise awareness of valuable tax credits available to many people – including the option to use prior-year income to qualify.
February 12. IRS begins 2021 tax season. Individual tax returns begin being accepted and processing begins.
February 22. Projected date for the IRS.gov Where’s My Refund tool being updated for those claiming EITC and ACTC, also referred to as PATH Act returns.
First week of March. Tax refunds begin reaching those claiming EITC and ACTC (PATH Act returns) for those who file electronically with direct deposit and there are no issues with their tax returns.
April 15. Deadline for filing 2020 tax returns.
October 15. Deadline to file for those requesting an extension on their 2020 tax returns
Filing season opening
The filing season open follows IRS work to update its programming and test its systems to factor in the second Economic Impact Payments and other tax law changes. These changes are complex and take time to help ensure proper processing of tax returns and refunds as well as coordination with tax software industry, resulting in the February 12 start date.
The IRS must ensure systems are prepared to properly process and check tax returns to verify the proper amount of EIP’s are credited on taxpayer accounts – and provide remaining funds to eligible taxpayers.
Although tax seasons frequently begin in late January, there have been five instances since 2007 when filing seasons did not start for some taxpayers until February due to tax law changes made just before the start of tax time.
Maine Immunization Program
The Maine Immunization Program (MIP) strives to ensure full protection of all Maine children and adults from vaccine-preventable disease. Through cooperative partnerships with public and private health practitioners and community members, the MIP provides vaccine, comprehensive education and technical assistance, vaccine-preventable disease tracking and outbreak control, accessible population-based management tools, and compassionate support services that link individuals into comprehensive health care systems. Learn more here.
2021 HIRE Vets Medallion Award
Would you like to be recognized for your efforts to be a veteran-ready employer? If your business has implemented veteran-inclusive hiring policies and veteran assistance programs, you can apply for the 2021 HIRE Vets Medallion Award!
Before you apply, visit HIREVets.gov for program information and resources like the award criteria table and sample applications. You can also head to the HIRE Vets news page for stories about award recipients and videos from employers about what the HIRE Vets Medallion means to their business.
You can create an account, or log in to your existing account, at HIREVets.gov and begin your application today. But don’t wait – the deadline to apply is April 30!
Emergency Rent Relief Program
Maine has $200 million in rent relief funds from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program will provide rental and utility relief payments to help eligible renters maintain housing stability. Maine’s Community Action Agencies will review applications, check eligibility, and process payments for eligible expenses on behalf of households.
MaineHousing will launch the program in the near future. In the meantime, they have confirmed several program details that can help tenants and landlords gather the information needed to apply when the program opens.
Visit MaineHousing for landlord and tenant FAQs.
Insurance Bureau Conducts 450 Investigations for Consumers in 2020, Resulting in Close to $1.4 Million Recovered on Behalf of Mainers; Lost Life Policy Matches Add Additional $800,000
The Insurance Superintendent announced that nearly $1.4 million was recovered for Maine consumers through investigations conducted by the Insurance Bureau’s consumer divisions in 2020. Additionally, policies valued at $818,000 were matched to Mainers through the Life Insurance Policy Locator, managed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), of which Maine is a member.
Consumers with questions about insurance matters can obtain information and assistance from the Maine Bureau of Insurance by visiting www.maine.gov/insurance, calling 800-300-5000 (TTY call Maine Relay 711), or e-mailing Insurance.PFR@maine.gov.