Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Authorities Arrest Man in MDI Arson Case
(MDI) Authorities have made an arrest in connection with this week’s arson fires in Mount Desert. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, about 2 p.m. Monday, local departments responded to reports of fires at two separate residential properties off Stanley Mountain Road. No one was home at either residence at the time, but a woman reported seeing a man on the front porch of one of the homes via a security camera. 58 yo Glenn Stanley of MDI is charged with two counts of arson in connection with the fires, which caused significant damage. He was taken to the Hancock County Jail. The incident remains under investigation.
(MDI) Authorities say a 58 yo man has been arrested and charged with two counts of Arson in connection with a pair of fires at properties off Stanley Mountain Road Monday afternoon. About 2 p.m., multiple crews were dispatched to the two separate properties, after a woman looking at a security camera reported seeing a man on the front porch of one holding incendiary devices. Multiple fire departments responded and found fires had been set at both properties. A short time later, police located and arrested Glenn P. Stanley of MDI. He was taken to the Hancock County Jail. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Forest Fires Keep Firefighters, Maine Forest Rangers Busy
(Maine) Dry conditions and human carelessness kept firefighters and Maine Forest Rangers busy yesterday. A wildfire reported on Penobscot Avenue was quickly contained, but Ranger David Loome said that fire was caused by an improperly discarded cigarette. A fire in New Gloucester near Brookside Road burned 3.5 acres and is under investigation. And rangers used their Helitack Unit to respond to a fire on the South Bay Road in Franklin. The helicopter was able to land firefighters close to the scene so they could offload gear and get straight to work containing that fire.
(Maine) Rain this afternoon should help with dry conditions that kept firefighters and Maine Forest Rangers busy Tuesday. A wildfire reported on Penobscot Avenue was quickly contained, but Ranger David Loome said that fire was caused by an improperly discarded cigarette. A fire in New Gloucester near Brookside Road burned 3.5 acres and is under investigation. A wildfire was reported in T1 R9 WELS. And rangers used their Helitack Unit to respond to a fire on the South Bay Road in Franklin. The helicopter was able to land firefighters close to the scene so they could offload gear and get straight to work containing that fire.
Lack of Attorneys Hinders Suspected Child Abuse Cases
(Maine) A lack of attorneys to represent cases of suspected child abuse and neglect is having a chilling effect on another issue that plagues the Pine Tree State. The Maine Monitor reports like most states, Maine guarantees parents legal representation when children are removed from their homes. Since January, the list of parents waiting for an attorney has grown 400%, according to the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services. The state is required to provide a hearing within 10 to 14 days of a child’s removal, at which point parents can respond to accusations about their care. Without representation, many children remain in foster care or with family members. Last August, Maine Supreme Court Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill wrote a letter pleading with some of the state’s largest firms for help. But experts say the gap has only widened, showing the crisis is worsening.
(Maine) Maine is in crisis mode when it comes to ensuring the safety of its children. The Department of Health and Human Services has long been criticized for high profile cases in which children died, allegedly at the hands of parents or other family members. The Maine Monitor reports there’s also a crisis in a lack of attorneys to represent such cases. By law, Maine must provide parents with legal representation within 10-14 days of removing children from a home. But the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services, which oversees such assignments, says since January, the list of those parents waiting for an attorney has grown 400%. Last August Maine Supreme Court Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill wrote a letter pleading with some of the state’s largest firms for help. The letter reportedly fell largely on deaf ears. Experts say the gap has only widened, and the crisis worsened.
Hannaford Ground Beef Recall
(Maine) A warning if you purchased ground beef from Hannaford earlier this month. The grocery chain announcing a recall of their Hannaford brand 85% lean ground beef products, along with small and family packs of 80% lean ground beef products, sold between April 4 and 16 because they could be contaminated with E-Coli. The alert affects 58 stores in Maine, including stores in Ellsworth, Machias, and Blue Hill. The recalled product was produced by manufacturer Greater Omaha Packing Company. No confirmed illnesses have been reported as a result of eating the meat. More information can be found at Hannaford dot com.
www.hannaford.com/customer-service/food-safety.
(Maine) Check your ground beef supply if purchased from Hannaford this month. The grocery chain has issued a recall of their Hannaford brand 85% lean ground beef products and small and family packs of 80% lean ground beef products, sold between April 4th and 16th, due to possible E-coli contamination. The product was produced by manufacturer Greater Omaha Packing Company. The alert affects 58 stores in Maine, including stores in Ellsworth, Machias, and Blue Hill. So far, no confirmed illnesses have been reported as a result of eating the meat. You can find more information at Hannaford dot com.
Local Politics
Supplemental Budget Includes Mental Health Initiatives
(Augusta) Mental health and violence prevention initiatives, relief for areas hit hard by winter storms, and housing investments are hallmarks of Governor Janet Mills’s supplemental budget, signed into law this week. Democrats on the budget committee reversed earlier decisions to pull money from the transportation budget and to include cutbacks to a pension deduction for seniors. The supplemental budget includes $50M to rebuild infrastructure decimated by powerful storms earlier this year and $10M for small businesses, along with monies to promote climate resilience, and for emergency housing and rent relief.
(Augusta) $3.2M will go toward creation of an Office of Violence Prevention. $4.4M will help build crisis receiving centers in Lewiston, Penobscot County, and Aroostook County. $1.7M will support the hiring of 16 additional Maine State Police personnel, and $5M will cover out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for those affected by mass violence, such as the October 25th Lewiston tragedy. The funding is part of the Governor’s supplemental budget signed into law Monday. The mental health and violence prevention initiatives were passed in response to the Lewiston tragedy. The supplemental budget also includes $60M for storm recovery, along with funding for housing relief, child care and more.
Proposal to Create Separate Child Welfare Department Dies in Legislature
(Augusta) A proposal to create a standalone department to oversee child welfare in Maine died in the legislature last week, after the House failed to hold a vote. The Portland Press Herald reports the bill had strong bipartisan support in the Senate and passed 22-8 in the House before facing inaction by the House. The current Office of Child and Family Services under the umbrella of DHHS has faced intense scrutiny following the deaths of several children from abuse and neglect after contact with caseworkers. LD 779, introduced by Republican Senator Jeff Timberlake, would have established a separate department to oversee child welfare, behavioral health, and early childhood services, with its own commissioner who would report to the Governor.
(Augusta) A bill that some say would have enhanced child protection services in Maine remained unfinished business when the legislature adjourned last week. The Portland Press Herald reports LD 779, introduced by Republican Senator Jeff Timberlake, would have established a separate department to oversee child welfare, behavioral health, and early childhood services with its own commissioner who would report to the Governor. The bill passed the Senate in March with bipartisan support in a 22-8 vote and was approved April 9th in the House, but then sat in unfinished business. Currently, abuse and neglect cases are handled by the Office of Child and Family Services under DHHS. The system has faced intense scrutiny following the deaths of multiple children from abuse and neglect after contact with caseworkers.
Economy
Mason’s Downeast in Machias Opening Today
(Machias) Mason’s Brewing Company says this time the rumors are true! The company announcing on its Facebook page today is opening day for Mason’s Downeast in Machias. Mason’s second location invites the public to join them beginning at 4 pm this afternoon for, “a grand opening that promises to be more satisfying than guessing the right day on a calendar you haven’t bought yet.” Mason’s purchased the building that housed the Bluebird Ranch Family Restaurant for more than 25 years last September and has been renovating the facility in anticipation of today’s big opening.
(Machias) The rumors are no long just rumors – the taps will finally be flowing this afternoon when Mason’s Downeast opens its doors at 4 p.m. Mason’s Brewing Company in Brewer announcing on FB, “a grand opening that promises to be more satisfying than guessing the right day on a calendar you haven’t bought yet.” Mason’s will likely be quite the change from the Bluebird Ranch Family Restaurant, which served the community for more than 25 years before closing last year and selling to the brewery. Mason’s says bring your appetite for fun, food, and, of course, their famous brews.
Environment
Environmentalists Sue State Over Climate Change Issue
(Maine) The Sierra Club and two other environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the Pine Tree State, saying it has failed to act on climate change. The lawsuit points to a 2019 statutory goal to reduce carbon emissions by 45 percent of 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The plaintiffs say the state has delayed building offshore wind turbines, and they point to a recent decision by the Maine Board of Environmental Protection to reject clean car standards, even though the Advanced Clean Car II Rule met with fierce resistance from Mainers.
(Maine) Three environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against Maine, claiming the state has failed to act on climate change. The lawsuit references a 2019 statutory goal to reduce carbon emissions by 45 percent of 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The plaintiffs, which include the Sierra Club and two other environmental groups, cite a recent decision by the Maine Board of Environmental Protection to reject clean car standards, even though the Advanced Clean Car II Rule met with fierce resistance from Mainers. The groups also point to recent storms they say were caused by global warming and that devastated working waterfronts and coastal communities, saying the state has failed to address the issue in an appropriately urgent manner.
Health
King Joins Legislation to Revitalize America’s Long-Term Care Workforce
(Washington, DC) The recent closure of Hancock County’s last skilled nursing care facility highlighted the need to support America’s long term care workforce. Senator Angus King has introduced legislation to revitalize that labor sector by making jobs more attractive and better compensated. The Long Term Care Workforce Support Act would ensure caregiving can be a sustainable, lifelong career by providing new funding to support workers in nursing homes, home-care and assisted living facilities – including in rural areas, such as much of Maine.
(Washington, DC) Millions of families with aging loved ones and persons with disabilities require skilled care, but caregivers today work long hours for low pay, resulting in many being forced to leave the field for higher paying jobs. The situation is dire, with skilled nursing facilities continuing to close or transition away from such care, such as the former Island Nursing Home in Deer Isle and the Seaport Village in Ellsworth. Senator Angus King has introduced legislation to revitalize that labor sector by making jobs more attractive and better compensated. The Long Term Care Workforce Support Act would provide funding to ensure caregiving can be a sustainable, lifelong career, including in rural areas, such as much of Maine.
Nursing Homes Slam Staffing Rule
(KFF) Nursing homes and others are scoffing at a rule finalized this week by the Biden Administration that mandates they hire more nurses and aides. Many providers were stunned by regulators’ stance on minimum staffing numbers at a time when nearly all US facilities are facing labor shortages, although the mandate gives healthcare facilities years to meet those minimums. One CEO lamented the final rule DOESN’T include additional funds to pay RNs comparable or higher wages to work in long-term care, although the new rules require facilities to pay workers 80% of what they receive from Medicare.
(KFF) McKnight’s Senior Living reports the mandate will siphon workers from assisted living and other long-term care settings. The publication says many providers were stunned by federal regulators’ stance on minimum staffing requirements at a time when almost all US facilities are confronting labor shortages. One healthcare CEO pushed back saying the final rule does not include additional funds to pay RNs comparable or higher wages to work in long-term care, although the new rules require facilities to pay workers 80% of what they receive from Medicare.
Sports
Red Sox losing their first game against the Guardians in Cleveland yesterday 1-4.. Teams meet for Game 2 of three this evening.
Round One, Game Three of the Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight in Toronto. The Bruins and Maple Leafs tied at a game apiece.
Round One, Game Two of the NBA Playoffs tonight in Boston, as the Celtics hit the court against the Miami Heat.
And basketball phenom Cooper Flag has partnered with an LA based talent agency that will help Flagg and his family with licensing and profits associated with his name, image and likeness in the coming years.