Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Fire Damages Stacyville Fire Department Facility
(Stacyville) A fire at a fire station? It happened Tuesday night in Stacyville. The Fire Marshal’s Office reports to Star 97.7, the Penobscot RCC received a call shortly before 9 p.m. on May 21st for a report of smoke coming from the Stacyville Fire Department on Station Road. The fire was quickly knocked down, but the building and several pieces of apparatus were damaged. An investigation determined the blaze originated at an interior wall where multiple lithium-batteries were charging on a shelf. The fire has been ruled accidental.
(Stacyville) The Stacyville Fire Department is used to putting OUT fires – not being ON fire. But that’s what happened Tuesday night. The Fire Marshal’s Office reports to Star 97.7, the Penobscot RCC received a call shortly before 9 p.m. reporting smoke coming from the Department on Station Road. The fire was quickly knocked down, but the building and several pieces of apparatus were damaged. An investigation determined the blaze originated at an interior wall where multiple lithium-batteries were charging on a shelf. That fire has been ruled accidental.
FEMA Says Keep in Touch
(South Portland) The deadline to apply for funding from FEMA for recovery from the January storms has passed. But FEMA officials want you to know, they’re still available to answer any questions, get an update on your application, or solicit advice on filing an appeal to an application that was denied. We’ve posted FEMA’s contact information on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(South Portland) If you recently applied for FEMA funding for recovery from the January storms, you’re no doubt anxious about the status of your application. FEMA officials want you to know, although the deadline to apply has passed, they’re still available to answer any questions, get an update on your application, or ask for advice on filing an appeal to an application that was denied. We’ve posted contact information for FEMA on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Local Politics
Governor Announces Launch of Maine Funding Network
(Augusta) An online portal that’s a one-stop shop for Maine business owners exploring public and non-profit financing options. That’s the goal of the newly launched Maine Funding Network. Governor Janet Mills on Wednesday said the network is designed to help Maine businesses explore and secure financing. The portal was designed with input from Maine business owners, lenders, and economic development leaders. Check it out at maine funding network dot com.
(Augusta) Looking for funding to start or grow your business? The just-launched Maine Funding Network is a one-stop portal for Maine business owners exploring public and non-profit financing options. Governor Janet Mills announced the launch Wednesday, saying the network is designed to help Maine business owners, lenders, and economic development leaders. Check it out at maine funding network dot com.
Senator King Urges IRS to Offer Free Filing to More Americans
(Washington, DC) How much did you pay to file your taxes this year? This past tax season, Americans in 12 states, including New Hampshire and Massachusetts, saved $5.6M in fees, thanks to a free filing program piloted by the Internal Revenue Service. Senator Angus King and other members of Congress say The Tax Filing Simplification Act of 2022 was “wildly successful”, and they’re now encouraging the IRS to offer its new free filing services to more taxpayers. In addition, legislators are calling for more flexible identification verification procedures and additional refundable tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, for low and middle income Americans.
(Washington, DC) The Tax Filing Simplification Act of 2022 directed the Internal Revenue Service to develop a free, easy to use, online tax filing software and eliminate unnecessary red tape for all taxpayers. The pilot program, rolled out last year, saved taxpayers in 12 states $5.6M in fees. Prior to the introduction of this filing tool, Americans spent on average 13 hours and $240 to file their taxes, with only 3% accessing free filing services. With what Congress is calling a “wildly successful” trial, legislators are encouraging the IRS to offer its new free filing services to more taxpayers. The office of Senator Angus King reports Congress is also calling for more flexible identification verification procedures and additional refundable tax credits for low and middle income Americans.
Collins Introduces Legislation to Support Family Caregivers
(Washington, DC) One in five adults in the US provides long term care to those who are aging, disabled or chronically ill. That includes 166,000 family caregivers in Maine. Senator Susan Collins has joined Democrat Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin in introducing the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2024. The legislation would reauthorize the Lifespan Respite Care program through FY 2029. Respite care provides temporary relief to caregivers from their ongoing responsibilities, protecting their health and well-being. To date, 38 states have received funding through the program.
(Washington, DC) Fifty-three million adults in the US provide long term care to those who are aging, disabled, or chronically ill. In addition, more than five million children provide such care for aging grandparents, parents, or siblings with disabilities. The Lifespan Respite Care program provides funding for temporary relief to such caregivers from their ongoing responsibilities, protecting their health and well-being. Thirty eight states have, to date, utilized such funding. Senators Susan Collins and Democrat Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin have introduced the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Care Act of 2024 to reauthorize the program through FY 2029. The legislation would also clarify that youth caregivers under the age of 18 are eligible for the program.
Economy
State Unemployment Benefits to Increase June 1
(Augusta) The Maine state unemployment maximum weekly benefit will increase on June 1st. The Maine Department of Labor says the increase, which will be in effect until May 31st, 2025, will raise the maximum weekly stipend from $573 to $595. Claimants filing for a new benefit year on or after June 1st will have their weekly benefit amount range between $104 and the new maximum. The maximum weekly benefit amount is set each year as a percentage of the average weekly wage.
(Augusta) Some who are collecting unemployment could see an increase in benefits come June 1st. The Maine Department of Labor says the increase, which will be in effect until May 31st, 2025, will raise the maximum weekly stipend from $573 to $595. Claimants filing for a new benefit year on June 1st or after will have their weekly benefit amount range between $104 and the new maximum. The maximum weekly benefit amount is set each year as a percentage of the average weekly wage.
MDOL Publishes Paid Family Medical Leave Rules for Public Comment
(Augusta) Paid Family Medical Leave Rules have now been published, with the Maine Department of Labor seeking public comment. Comments will be accepted through July 8th. You can view the rules and submit comments via a link on the Department’s website or by mail. MDOL says it will continue to update its Paid Family and Medical Leave website whenever new information is available. That web address is maine dot gov forward slash labor.
(Augusta) The public can now comment on the new Paid Family Medical Leave Rules. The Maine Department of Labor has published the rules and will accept comments via their website or by mail through July 8th. The Department says it will continue to update its Paid Family and Medical Leave website whenever new information is available. That web address is maine dot gov forward slash labor.
Narraguagus Bay Health Care Closing
(Milbridge) The number of nursing homes in the state that has the country’s oldest population continues to dwindle. Narraguagus Bay Health Care in Milbridge is the latest nursing home facility to announce it will be closing its doors in the next 60 days. More than two dozen nursing homes in the state have closed or transitioned to facilities with less intense care in the past ten years, leaving families scrambling to find skilled care for their loved ones.
(Milbridge) Island Nursing Home in Deer Isle in 2021. Seaport Village in Ellsworth this past March. Now Narraguagus Bay Health Care in Milbridge has announced it will be closing its doors in the next 60 days. In the past decade, more than two dozen skilled nursing facilities have closed their doors or transitioned to facilities that no longer provide the critical care services needed by so many – in a state that has the oldest population in the country. Owners say a lack of staffing, lack of funding, and other issues are to blame.
Environment
Fish Migration Funding
(Washington, DC) Funds for fish passage – NOAA has recommended nearly $71M in federal funding to improve fish migration in Maine rivers. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree reports more than $17M in tribal-specific funding for the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point and the Penobscot Indian Nation will be used to improve habitat access for alewives, endangered Atlantic salmon, and other migrating species in the St. Croix River and the Penobscot and St. George River watersheds. Remaining funds will be allocated to the Downeast Salmon Federation and others to improve migratory fish passage on the Narraguagus and other rivers throughout the state.
(Washington, DC) Passage for fish migration is critical in Maine rivers. On Wednesday, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced the state will receive nearly $71M in federal funding to improve that migration. About $53.5M of the funding will be allocated to the Downeast Salmon Federation, MDMR, the Nature Conservancy, the City of Auburn and Maine Rivers to improve migratory passage in various rivers, including the Narraguagus. The remaining funds will be tribal specific for the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot to improve habitat access for alewives, endangered Atlantic salmon and other migrating species in the St. Croix River and the Penobscot and St. George River watersheds.
Health
Exhausted Americans Sleeping More Than Ever
(Bloomberg) Americans have begun sleeping more than at any time in the last 20 years. That’s according to a new survey on how we use time. Yet a Gallup poll says we’re more stressed, and sleeping LESS. Which is accurate? Bloomberg reports the trend of working from home that began during the pandemic means many professionals are sleeping about 30 minutes later in the mornings and getting more overall sleep. But the Gallup poll revealed since the pandemic, people have become less satisfied with the quality and quantity of sleep we’re getting. Even more worrisome, the number of people getting less than five hours of sleep – sleep experts say most of us need at least seven – has increased from 15 to 20%. The studies indicate stress, sleep disorders, more screen time, and more time spent alone are contributors to the problem.
(Bloomberg) Do you find yourself sleeping more but still dragging and feeling tired all the time? You’re not alone. A pair of recent surveys with seemingly contradictory results may offer a reason. A survey on how we use our time indicates Americans have begun sleeping more than at any time in the last 20 years. Working from home since the pandemic means many get about 30 minutes more per night than before the pandemic. But a Gallup poll revealed since the pandemic, people have become less satisfied with the quality and quantity of their sleep. Even more worrisome, the number of people getting less than five hours of sleep – sleep experts say most of us need at least seven – has increased from 15 to 20%. The studies indicate stress, sleep disorders, more screen time, and more time spent alone are contributors to the problem.
Sports
Red Sox made it three for three with last night’s 8-5 win over Tampa Bay. Red Sox have the night off tonight. They’ll be back at Fenway on Friday for a weekend run against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Celtics and Pacers meet up again tonight in Boston as the Eastern Conference Finals continue. Celtics up 1-nothing.