Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Army Inspector General to Conduct Independent Investigation into Lewiston Shooting
(Augusta) The US Army Inspector General will conduct an independent investigation into the mass shooting in Lewiston in October. Maine’s Congressional delegation has been calling for such an in-depth probe into the tragedy that left 18 dead and 13 wounded. In a letter delivered on Friday, Gabe Camarillow, Under Secretary of the Army, wrote the Army was committed to investigating all facts and events regarding the shooter, Robert Card. Card is reported to have made violent threats and reported hearing voices during his time in the Army Reserves.
(Augusta) Following multiple requests by Maine’s Congressional delegation, a US Army official Friday sent a letter confirming the US Army Inspector General will conduct an independent investigation into the perpetrator of the October mass shooting in Lewiston. The shooter, 40 yo Robert Card, served in an Army Reserve unit based in Saco. During the summer, while training with his unit, Card reportedly spent two weeks at a psychiatric hospital in New York after allegedly experiencing psychotic episodes. Officials say they want to know why Maine’s yellow flag law wasn’t invoked in order to confiscate Card’s firearms following that incident.
Report Clears Deputies in Incident with Lewiston Shooter
(Lewiston) The Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office last week released a 93-page report detailing an independent review about how deputies handled an incident with Lewiston shooter Robert Card last Fall. The Portland Press Herald reports officers visited Card’s residence for a welfare check on September 15th, returning with backup the following day. The visits came a month after Card’s release from a psychiatric hospital on concerns he might carry out an act of violence. During the officers’ visit, Card could reportedly be heard inside the trailer but didn’t answer the door. Officers say being in a disadvantageous position, they decided to back away. The report concluded the deputies “responded reasonably under the circumstances at the time”, but suggests other members of Card’s Army Reserve Unit downplayed the seriousness of his threats.
(Lewiston) A 93 page report released last week by the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office concludes deputies responded appropriately during a September welfare check at the home of Lewiston shooter, Robert Card. The Portland Press Herald reports officers were called to Card’s home a month after his release from a psychiatric facility, based on concerns he might carry out an act of violence. During a September 16th visit, police reportedly could hear Card inside his trailer, but say he did not answer the door. Officers say being in a disadvantageous position, they decided to back away. The report concluded the deputies “responded reasonably under the circumstances at the time”, but suggests other members of Card’s Army Reserve Unit downplayed the seriousness of his threats.
Vehicle Strikes Building, Damages Multiple Cars in Bangor
(Bangor) Sunday morning breakfast was more costly than usual for several diners at the Denny’s restaurant in Bangor yesterday. Fox Bangor reports police responded to the eatery’s parking lot about 10:30 after reports a vehicle had hit the building. Authorities say a person was attempting to park, hit the gas instead of the brakes, and hit the front of the building. The driver then backed up, stepped on the gas again, and hit four vehicles in the parking lot. No injuries were reported, but several of the vehicles had to be towed from the scene.
(Bangor) A driver ended up with egg on their face Sunday morning while attempting to park at the Denny’s in Bangor. Fox Bangor reports about 10:30 Sunday morning, the driver hit the gas instead of the brakes and then hit the front of the building. The person then backed up, turned, and hit the gas again, crashing into four vehicles in the parking lot. Authorities say there were no injuries, but several vehicles had to be towed from the parking lot. The restaurant did remain open the rest of the day.
Old Town Fire
(Old Town) A fire at an apartment building in Old Town Sunday morning claimed the life of a 71 yo man. Fire crews responded to the blaze at the multi-unit building at 1015 Stillwater Avenue shortly after 5 a.m. yesterday morning. One resident was able to escape safely. The 71 yo who lived in another apartment was rescued by firefighters and taken to a hospital where he later died. He’s been identified as Banton Foster. The building did reportedly have working smoke detectors. The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating to determine a cause.
(Old Town) A Sunday morning blaze at a multi-unit apartment building in Old Town claimed the life of one of the residents. Fire crews were called to 1015 Stillwater Avenue shortly after 5 a.m. yesterday. One resident escaped safely. Firefighters were able to rescue 71 yo Banton Foster. He was taken to a hospital, but later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities say there were working smoke detectors in the building. Investigators are working to determine the cause of that fire.
Local Politics
IRS Backs Off Taxing Winter Energy Relief Checks
(Augusta) The IRS now says it won’t tax those $450 winter energy relief checks after all. Maine reportedly was initially told the monies distributed to some 880,000 Mainers earlier this year would not be taxed, but a verbal reversal on December 7th indicated that was not the case and that the checks WOULD be subject to federal tax. The Mills’ Administration pushed back on Tuesday; and on Friday, the IRS backed down, saying payments would not be subject to federal tax after all. The monies also are not subject to Maine state tax.
(Augusta) A bit of a David vs. Goliath showdown last week regarding those $450 winter energy relief checks that were sent to some 880,000 Mainers earlier this year. IRS guidelines published this summer indicated the checks would not be subject to federal tax. But on December 7th, Maine officials received verbal word that the checks WOULD, indeed, be taxable. Finance Commissioner Kirsten Figueroa pushed back, and the IRS on Friday relented. It appears now the monies will not be taxed by the IRS. The checks also are not subject to Maine state tax.
Health
Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Support Rural EMS Throughout Maine.
(Maine) The tireless first responders who answer those calls for Emergency Medical Services at all hours got another boost recently through legislation put forth by Maine’s Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democrat Dick Durbin of Illinois. The Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan SIREN Reauthorization Act. The legislation would extend funding for five additional years for Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs grants to rural fire and EMS agencies nationwide. The funding supports EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment, including naloxone to address the opioid epidemic.
(Maine) A decline in the availability of primary care and hospital services, workforce shortages exacerbated by the pandemic, critical time-consuming distances between healthcare facilities, and low insurance reimbursement for transport and emergency treatments have all strained rural EMS agencies. At the same time, EMS workers are tasked with ever greater responsibilities. To help provide some relief, Maine’s Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democrat Dick Durbin of Illinois put forth the SIREN Reauthorization Act, which was recently passed unanimously by the Senate. The legislation extends funding for five additional years and will support EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment, including naloxone to address the opioid epidemic.
Northern Light Matching Gift Challenge
(Ellsworth) Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital’s Building on a Promise Campaign kicked off a year ago in July with a million dollar matching challenge to encourage community support. Now, that same generous benefactor and local philanthropist Edith Dixon has stepped up once again, offering to match every dollar given to the campaign through September 2024, up to $250,000. The $5M campaign, designed to fund Maine Coast Hospital’s modernization efforts, has raised $4.5M to date.
(Ellsworth) Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital’s $5M Building on a Promise campaign is designed to fund the hospital’s modernization efforts, with renovated patient rooms, a family-focused birthing center for expectant mothers, and more. The campaign kicked off in July 2022 with a $1M matching challenge from local supporter and philanthropist Edith Dixon … and has, to date, raised $4.5M. To finish the work, Dixon has once again stepped up with a completion challenge, offering to match every gift made to the project through September 2024, up to $250K. To learn more or to make a gift, visit northern light health dot org.
Employers Institute Diet and Exercise Programs to Combat Cost of Weight Loss Drugs
(Reuters) US employers facing surging costs from paying for Wegovy and similar obesity drugs are hiring virtual healthcare providers to institute weight loss management programs. Reuters reports the programs may require employees to diet and exercise before granting access to the medicines. The drugs reportedly sometimes have list prices of more than a thousand dollars a month.
Single Hormone May Be Cause of Morning Sickness
(The 19th) Scientists say they’ve unlocked the potential secret to severe morning sickness. Reporting in The 19th, they say a single hormone may be to blame for the nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Researchers discovered the amount of a hormone labeled GDF155 found in a pregnant woman’s bloodstream before and during pregnancy determines the severity of such symptoms. Now that a potential cause has been identified, researchers will likely look for a viable treatment.
Infrastructure
Machias Dike Bridge Reopens
(Machias) The Machias Dike Bridge on Route One reopened Friday after a week-long closure needed for crews to build a temporary bridge. The temporary structure will be used by drivers when construction begins on a new permanent structure after inspectors found the current bridge to be deteriorating.
(Machias) Great news for those who travel Route One through Machias. The Maine Department of Transportation reopened the Machias Dike Bridge on Friday after a week-long closure forced travelers to take detours. The bridge was closed for a week while crews constructed a temporary bridge that drivers will use while a new permanent bridge is built. Inspectors earlier this year found the current bridge was deteriorating and will need to be replaced.
I-95 Bangor Closure
(Bangor) You won’t be able to travel either side of I-95 in Bangor for several hours this coming Wednesday night. The Maine Department of Transportation says a contractor will be fully closing both sides between 11 p.m. on the 20th and 5 a.m. on the 21st as part of the ongoing work to replace the bridge that carries the interstate over Broadway. The closure is needed in order to remove the overhead sign that spans the width of the interstate.
(Bangor) Both sides of I-95 in Bangor will be closed for several hours this coming Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The Maine Department of Transportation says a contractor will be fully closing both sides between 11 p.m. on the 20th and 5 a.m. on the 21st as part of the ongoing work to replace the bridge that carries the interstate over Broadway. The closure is required in order to remove the overhead sign that spans the width of the interstate.
Sports
High School basketball this evening – these girls’ games locally: MDI takes on Ellsworth, Machias vs. Calais (5 pm), Jonesport-Beals shooting hoops with Woodland, and Narraguagus up against George Stevens.
Celtics with a pair of wins over the Orlando Magic this weekend. Celtics on the West Coast Tuesday to take on the Golden State Warriors.
Bruins home Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild.