Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
9-1-1 Transcripts from Lewiston Shooting Released
(Augusta) Authorities on Monday released the 9-1-1 transcripts from the night of the October 25th shooting in Lewiston. The release contains 125 pages, documenting multiple calls and the chaos as the massacre unfolded. Transcripts are available to the public, and while some sensitive information has been redacted, the transcripts provided come with a warning they are at times graphic and disturbing.
(Augusta) The calls flooded 9-1-1, revealing the terror and chaos of the October mass shooting in Lewiston. Authorities on Monday released the 9-1-1 transcripts from the night of the October 25th massacre. The release contains 125 pages, documenting the calls. Transcripts are available to the public, and while some sensitive information has been redacted, the transcripts provided come with a warning they are at times graphic and disturbing.
Local Politics
Trump Asks Maine Courts to Wait on Supreme Court Decision
(Augusta) Attorneys for former President Donald Trump on Monday asked a Maine court to hold off on its ruling on Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ decision that he is unqualified to appear on the 2024 ballot until after the US Supreme Court rules on the Colorado case. Maine Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy has said she would issue a ruling by January 17th.
(Augusta) Attorneys for Donald Trump Monday asked a Maine court to delay its ruling on Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ decision that he failed to qualify for the 2024 ballot based on the US Constitution’s insurrection clause. Trump’s attorneys want Maine Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy to wait until after the US Supreme Court rules on the Colorado case. Justice Murphy has said she would rule by January 17th.
Economy
Versant Set to Request Rate Hike
(Ellsworth) Seems they just went down, but Versant Power is planning to request a rate increase that will likely affect your electric bills. Versant is asking the Maine Public Utilities Commission for an increase of about $35M in distribution rates to cover storm restoration costs, maintenance, and other expenses. If approved, the increase would add about $12 a month for those who use 500 kw hours. The increase would not take effect until next year.
(Ellsworth) The explanation is in the mail – or at least, it will be for Versant customers who may be looking at a rate increase in their electric bills. Versant is asking the Maine Public Utilities Commission for an increase of about $35M in distribution rates to cover storm restoration costs, maintenance, and other expenses. If approved, the increase would add about $12 a month for those who use 500 kw hours, but would not take effect until 2025.
Childcare Workers See Pay Increases
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills says childcare workers in Maine saw an increased stipend last month. The amount of the stipends ranges from $275 to more than $600. Mills says the stipends are expected to help roughly 7,000 childcare workers and are intended to help qualified professionals remain in the industry. The stipend amounts are based on education and experience.
(Augusta) Those who care for little ones in Maine, last month saw a little something extra in their paychecks. Childcare workers across the state saw stipends ranging from $275 to more than $600. The stipend amounts are based on education and experience and are expected to help roughly 7,000 childcare workers. It’s also hoped they provide incentive to help qualified professionals remain in the industry.
Health
Maine Considers Ban on Cosmetics That Could Pose Health Hazards
(Augusta) That makeup you put on this morning certainly makes you feel beautiful and covers your flaws – but is it hiding its own flaws that could be harmful to your health? Democrat Sophie Warren of Scarborough has proposed the “Safe Cosmetics Act” that would ban certain chemicals in cosmetics. If passed, Maine would join a small group of other states that have embraced such bans. The Bangor Daily News reports Warren has narrowed the list of potentially banned chemicals to four, including an array of heavy metals, formaldehyde and other chemicals often found in cosmetics above a particular concentration.
(Augusta) We wear makeup as a cover up, but are the products we use covering up a dangerous secret? The Environment and Natural Resources Committee this week could review the “Safe Cosmetics Act”, a proposal by Democrat Sophie Warren of Scarborough that would ban certain chemicals in cosmetics. If enacted, Maine would join a small group of other states that have embraced such bans. The Bangor Daily News reports Warren has narrowed the list of potentially banned chemicals to four, including an array of heavy metals, formaldehyde and other chemicals often found in cosmetics above a particular concentration.
Island Nursing Home Hires Architect
(DI/Stonington) The Board of Directors of the Island Nursing Home in Deer Isle has hired a Portland-based architectural firm to provide suggestions on turning the facility into senior housing apartments. Donors who contributed to a 2022-23 fund drive to reopen the home as a residential care facility will be receiving a letter in the coming weeks asking if they want their contribution returned or used for renovation of INH into senior housing apartments.
(DI/Stonington) The Island Nursing Home Board is moving ahead with plans to turn the facility into senior housing apartments. The Board has hired Portland-based architectural firm Whipple Callender to recommend alterations to modify the facility. Donors who contributed to a 2022-23 fund drive to reopen the home as a residential care facility will be receiving a letter in the coming weeks asking if they want their contribution returned or used for renovation of INH into senior housing apartments.
Taxes on Sugary Drinks Lead to Fewer Sales
(KFF) Sales of sugary drinks fell dramatically across five U.S. cities after those cities implemented taxes targeting the drinks. That’s the findings of a study published this month in the journal JAMA Health Forum, which further revealed those changes remained over time. Researchers say the findings provide more evidence that such controversial taxes really do work to help cut down on consumption of such drinks … a claim the beverage industry disputes. The study found, on average, prices for sugar-sweetened drinks went up by 33.1%, while purchases went down by basically the same amount – 33%.
Do Health and Fitness Trackers Work?
(Stat) More than one third of our New Year’s resolutions involve becoming more fit. Many rely on fitness trackers, health apps and other digital innovations that promise to motivate us on our journey to better health. The health journal “Stat” reports each January, fitness app downloads spike by 36% … yet, obesity rates have soared from 31% to 42% over the past decade. The problem, say researchers, is that the data we’re measuring isn’t always accurate. For instance, are those 10,000 steps really steps you took, or did you simply move your arms in a meeting to cheat the numbers? Researchers say no matter how much data we collect, we’re still the ones who have to actually prepare a healthy dinner, put our phones down and go to bed, and drink that extra glass of water.
(Stat) Sales of fitness trackers soar by some 36% each January, and a third of our New Year’s resolutions include becoming healthier. At the same time, the health journal “Stat” reports 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year; and obesity rates have increased from 31% to 42% in the past decade. Researchers say we sometimes depend on unreliable data, measure the wrong things, or forget the importance of social support in reaching our fitness goals. And they say, no matter how much data we collect, we’re still the ones who have to actually prepare a healthy dinner, put our phones down and go to bed, and drink that extra glass of water.
Environment
Land for Maine’s Future Calls for Conservation and Recreation Proposals
(Augusta) Since its inception, Land for Maine’s Future has successfully conserved more than 626,000 acres, including miles of protected shoreline, water access sites, and nearly 10,000 acres of farmland. LMF is the primary method of conserving land for its natural and recreational value and is currently accepting Conservation and Recreation Proposals for projects of statewide significance – lands with one or more resources that are rare and exceptional to Maine -, and Community Conservation Projects that promote public outdoor recreational access to land and waters. For more information and to apply, visit maine dot gov.
(Augusta) Nonprofit land conservation organizations, cities, towns, state agencies and others are invited to submit Conservation and Recreation proposals. These requests are for projects of statewide significance -lands with one or more resources that are rare and exceptional to Maine -, and Community Conservation Projects that promote public outdoor recreational access to land and waters. Since its inception, Land for Maine’s Future has successfully conserved more than 626,000 acres, including miles of protected shoreline, water access sites, and nearly 10,000 acres of farmland. To apply and for more information, visit maine dot gov. Search for “Land for Maine’s Future”.
Technology
Gorham Battery Storage Facility to Help Maine Reach Clean Energy Goals
(Gorham) Energy storage is critical to Maine’s goal of reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, and a construction project set to begin this spring could be a key component. The Portland Press Herald reports that’s when ground will be broken in Gorham on one of New England’s largest storage projects – large batteries to store energy from wind and solar sources. The $100M Cross Town Energy Storage facility hopes to begin dispatching energy in mid-2025. While Maine has smaller battery projects up and running, they’re reportedly a fraction the size of Cross Town.
(Gorham) While wind and solar energy are being harnessed to help Maine reach its goal of being less dependent on fossil fuels, energy from those sources is intermittent, resulting in the need for storage. The Portland Press Herald reports ground will be broken this spring in Gorham on one of New England’s largest storage projects – large batteries to store such energy. The $100M Cross Town Energy Storage facility hopes to begin dispatching energy in mid-2025.
Human Interest
Maine Ranks Number 12 in Most Hungover
(Undated) After all the New Year’s partying, how does Maine compare to other states in hangovers? Bet Kentucky used Google trends for “hangover/hangover remedies”, number of liquor stores, alcohol consumption per capita and other research to determine Maine ranked #12, with a hangover index score of 35.8. That’s just a little over half the score of the most hungover sate, North Dakota, with a big headache of a score at 63.6. Rankings of other New England States – Vermont was 4th with a score of 51.6, New Hampshire fifth at 50.5, and Rhode Island 16th at just shy of 31%.
Sports
The Bruins overcome by the Avalanche last night in Colorado, 4-3. Bruins in Arizona tonight to take on the Coyotes, the Celtics off until Wednesday when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
High School Basketball yesterday – the Machias boys and girls pulled off wins over Deer Isle/Stonington, the Jonesport-Beals Lady Royals with a nail-biter 47-45 victory over Shead, GSA girls win over Bucksport, and the WA Lady Raiders conquered the Narraguagus Knights.
Local high school basketball this evening – the Ellsworth Lady Eagles take on the Crusaders of John Bapst; that game followed by the boys hitting the hardwood. Also, these boys’ games – Sumner vs. Central, Jonesport Beals up against Narraguagus, Machias up against Shead, George Stevens takes on Dexter, and the WA Raiders take on the Hermon Hawks.