Maine
Maine’s fire marshal resigning after one year on the job
AUGUSTA, Maine (WMTW) – Richard McCarthy has resigned after just over a year as state fire marshal. He took on the role while the office was grappling with long-standing issues.
The commissioner of Public Safety says McCarthy is stepping down in good standing. However, his resignation comes amid complaints of low morale and a toxic work environment within the department in recent years, including a complaint filed with Maine’s labor board.
In 2023, before McCarthy became fire marshal, members of the Maine State Law Enforcement Association filed multiple complaints against the fire marshal’s office. They alleged that shift swap and travel pay policies were changed without notice.
The Maine Labor Relations Board found that the fire marshal’s office violated employees’ rights.
A spokesperson for the Department of Public Safety said McCarthy made significant strides in improving morale within the department and increased accountability for actions that promoted a toxic work environment.
McCarthy’s last day is Aug. 30, and a nationwide search for his replacement has begun.
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PORTLAND (WGME) — Mild temperatures and lots of clouds will rule the sky on Wednesday before some light rain and snow showers overnight.
Enjoy the mild temperatures while they last as it is turning cold by week’s end.
Lots of clouds will rule the sky for the next few days in Maine. High temps will also sit in the low-to-mid 40s for the day.
Wednesday evening.{ }(WGME)
The next chance for some precipitation will move in Wednesday evening through the nighttime hours as mostly rain with some mountain snow.
Look for some fog and areas of drizzle overnight too.
Thursday morning.{ }(WGME)
Rain will head out early Thursday morning followed by lots of cold, Canadian air.
Highs will still run in the low 40s ahead of a cold front shifting through early Thursday evening.
Once that front exits, expect to not leave the mid 20s on Friday.
Wind chills will be in the negatives and single digits to start Friday morning.
Weekend forecast.{ }(WGME)
The weekend looks calmer, with a round of snow and rain likely Saturday night through Sunday morning.
Temperatures will be back in the 30s after a cold end to the work and school week.
Incoming cold air.{ }(WGME)
Lots of cold air is set to enter the United States next week in waves.
Temperature outlook.{ }(WGME)
The next 8 to 14 days showcase below-normal temperatures around New England.
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You might not give a lot of thought to your two license plates. Maybe only looking at them when you renew your registration or when you got the new pine tree design. But those plates play an important role on the road.
Karyn asked the CBS13 I-Team:
“I see a lot of cars on the road with only a rear license plate. We are issued two plates at the time of registration. Do we actually have to display both on our car? Also, can you be fined for only having one plate?”
Maine law does require drivers to display two license plates. One on the front and one on the back.
The state says that requirement, which has been in place since the 90s, makes cars more visible to law enforcement and helps with automated tolling on the Maine Turnpike.
A driver can be fined if they don’t properly display both plates.
According to state data, convictions for improperly displaying a registration plate have gone up the past few years. Though the numbers are still small compared to the total number of vehicles on the road.
In 2021, there were 63. Seventy convictions in 2022 and in 2023 and 2024, there were around 140.
The are some exemptions to the two-plate law. That includes motorcycles and trailers.
While most states have similar laws, about 20 only require a rear license plate.
The Maine Legislature has debated bills that would remove the front plate requirement in the past, but none have passed.
Have a question for CBS13 I-Team? Call their tip line at (207) 228-7713 or send an email to tips@wgme.com.
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