Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Kidnap, Murder Case Leads to Special RCC Training
(Augusta) They’re the calm, reassuring voice you hear when you call 9-1-1 in a crisis. Emergency dispatchers efficiently and expertly connect you with fire, police, and other emergency personnel. Tomorrow, dozens of those RCC communicators will be in Augusta for a special training. The extensive and emotional guidance , dubbed “A Victim’s Plea: Meeting Expectations” was created in memory of Amber Lee, a 21 yo wife and mother who was kidnapped, raped and murdered in Florida in 2008, purportedly because of critical failures on the part of the emergency response system. The training is designed to motivate and inspire the 9-1-1 dispatchers who serve tirelessly in the critical role they play every day.
(Augusta) 9-1-1 dispatchers field sometimes hundreds of calls each shift. They know well the critical role they play in connecting callers with fire, police, EMS and other personnel as needed. On Wednesday, dozens who answer those calls will be in Augusta for a special training, entitled “A Victim’s Plea: Meeting Expectations.” The training stems from the kidnapping, rape and murder of a 21 yo wife and mother in Florida in 2008 that experts say could have been prevented had critical 9-1-1 failures not occurred. In response to the tragedy, Amber Lee’s husband, Nathan, started a foundation that helps improve emergency response systems. The training is designed to motivate and inspire the 9-1-1 dispatchers who serve tirelessly in the critical role they play every day.
Local Politics
Measure to Limit Contributions to Super PACs Could be on November Ballot
(Augusta) A measure that would limit the amount of campaign contributions from individuals and entities to certain political action committees could be on the November 5th ballot. If passed, contributions to Super PACs would be limited to $5,000 per person or organization annually. Maine Citizens to End Super PACs is leading the campaign in support of the initiative. The proposal is an indirect initiative, which means it is first presented to the state legislature, which then has a certain number of days to act on the measure. If no action is taken, the measure is then put on the ballot for voters to decide. Traditional PACs already have a $5K cap per person and cannot accept money from corporations or unions. However, unlike Super PACs, they can contribute directly to a politician or political party.
(Augusta) Voters in November could be asked to decide on a measure that would limit the amount of contributions made to Super PACs, political committees that can solicit and spend unlimited sums of money. Super PACs also are exempt from requirements to immediately report funding sources. Maine Citizens to End Super PACs is leading the campaign in support of the initiative. The proposal is an indirect initiative, which means it is first presented to the state legislature, which has a certain number of days to act on the measure. If no action is taken, it’s then put on the ballot for voters to decide. If passed, no more than $5,000 per individual or organization could be given to a particular Super PAC each year.
King Co-sponsors Bill to Help Teachers, First Responders with Home Ownership
(Washington, DC) Many people would love to become homeowners; but coming up with that costly down payment keeps the dream out of reach. Senator Angus King has joined other legislators in sponsoring a bill to unlock the dream of home ownership for first responders and teachers. The “Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder – or HELPER – Act” would establish a new one-time-use home loan program for law enforcement officers, firefighters, medical first responders and teachers. The proposal seeks to eliminate the mortgage down payment and monthly mortgage insurance premium requirements.
(Washington, DC) For many, the dream of home ownership remains out of reach for one big reason – they’re unable to come up with that daunting down payment. Senator Angus King has joined other legislators in sponsoring a bill to unlock the dream of home ownership for first responders and teachers. The “Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder – or HELPER – Act” would establish a new one-time-use home loan program for law enforcement officers, firefighters, medical first responders and teachers. The proposal seeks to eliminate the mortgage down-payment and monthly mortgage insurance premium requirements and would require reauthorization after five years.
Economy
Hancock County Food Drive
(Ellsworth) The Hancock County Food Drive Kick Off is just a few weeks away! It’s a great time for everyone in the community to get involved and help raise awareness about food insecurity and the local resources available to help stem hunger. For young people, there’s the Read-A-Thon. Students give back to their community by getting sponsors and reading as many books as possible in April. Want to help while getting fit for spring and summer? Participate with Miles for Meals – log your walking, biking, swimming, or running miles April 1-30, again with sponsors. The Hancock County Food Drive supports 17 food pantries, community meals, and backpack programs. Get involved, sign up and learn more at h c food drive dot org.
(Ellsworth) The Annual Hancock County Food Drive kicks off on March 30th, but it’s not too early to sign up to get involved. Volunteer at one of their food collection sites on March 30th. Get your students involved with the Read-A-Thon, finding sponsors to support them as they read as many books as possible during the month of April. Or get motivated to do good and get fit, with the Miles for Meals fundraiser, where sponsors support every mile you walk, bike, swim, or run during April. The Hancock County food drive supports 17 pantries, community meals organizations, and backpack programs. Get involved, sign up, and learn more at h c food drive dot org.
Grow Smart Maine Focuses on the Peaceful Coexistence of Farming and Affordable Housing
(Undated) Between 2012 and 2022, Maine lost approximately 15% of its coveted farmland. That’s according to the just-released 2022 US Agricultural Census. The loss is happening at a time when the global food system is increasingly under stress from climate change and other factors and as Maine faces an affordable housing crisis. Can farming and housing co-exist? Yes, says Grow Smart Maine. They’ll be hosting an online webinar on March 26th to discuss the conundrum or the collaboration of the two. Grow Smart members can attend free; otherwise, the cost is $25. Register at grow smart maine dot org.
(Undated) A recent study found Maine needs at least 84,000 new homes of all kinds by the end of the decade, in order to meet current and future demand. But the pressure to provide housing, along with the destructive forces of climate change, means even more loss of the state’s coveted farmland. Grow Smart Maine is hosting an online webinar to address those issues from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26th. Community leaders, farmers, developers, and others are encouraged to attend. Grow Smart members can attend free; otherwise, the cost is $25. Register at grow smart maine dot org.
Education
Davis Scholarship Application Period Open
(Cherryfield) Maine Seacoast Mission is accepting applications for the Davis Maine Scholarship through Sunday, April 14th. The scholarships are available to first generation college students from Washington and eastern Hancock Counties and ensures recipients can complete a four-year undergraduate degree without financial burden. Davis Maine Scholars receive full cost of attendance and a four-year scholarship at one of three partner colleges. They also receive consistent mentoring and support from Mission staff throughout their last year of high school and four years of college. Apply at Seacoast Mission dot org.
(Cherryfield) High school upperclassmen who will be first generation college students are encouraged to apply for the Davis Maine Scholarship through Maine Seacoast Mission. Applications are being accepted through Sunday, April 14th and are available for students in Washington and eastern Hancock Counties to attend one of three partner schools in Maine and Massachusetts. Davis Maine Scholars receive full cost of attendance and a four-year scholarship. They also receive consistent mentoring and support from Mission staff throughout their last year of high school and four years of college. Apply at Seacoast Mission dot org.
Health
Americans Pay More for Prescription Drug Prices
(KFF) It’s well documented that Americans pay more for prescriptions – sometimes two to four times as much compared with prices in other high-income industrialized countries. The exception? Unbranded generic drugs, which are typically cheaper in the US. KFF News reports the US has much more limited price negotiation with drug manufacturers, although recent legislation may bring about slow change in that area. Drug patents and exclusivity are other factors contributing to the high costs in the US. Drug companies argue the high prices reflect research and development costs.
(KFF) Americans not only pay more for prescription drugs in the US, but for healthcare overall, compared to other high-income industrialized countries. KFF News reports several factors come into play, including drug patents and exclusivity, which add to costs in the US. Only unbranded generic drugs were found to be cheaper in the United States. One spokesperson said in many of those other countries, patients pay nothing for healthcare, including prescription drugs. Drug companies in the US argue the high prices reflect research and development costs. President Biden’s recent efforts at negotiating drug prices are being challenged by the major drug companies in the US.
Cleaning Ourselves Sick
(Newsweek) It was four years ago, the country went into lockdown. While the Covid pandemic may technically be over, Newsweek reports there’s no shortage of sanitizers, masks, tests, and cleaning agents present in our workplaces, homes, and stores. But some scientists wonder if we’re sanitizing ourselves sick. The concern, say experts, is the use of a compound known as QAC’s, one of the most common active ingredients in sanitizing and disinfecting products. They’re super common, because they work; but many end up in the environment, where scientists are unsure about what happens when they hit water supplies. Experts say more research is needed on their effects and how they impact the whole food web and ecosystem.
(Newsweek) Certainly, we’re all more sanitary-conscious since the Covid 19 pandemic. But scientists wonder if we’re cleaning ourselves sick. Newsweek reports when Americans were asked if they were now using hand sanitizer more often, the number answering yes has stayed at a constant 72% since September 2020. That compares to 59% in March that year, before the pandemic began. The concern, say experts, is the use of a compound known as QAC’s, one of the most common active ingredients in sanitizing and disinfecting products. They’re super common because they work; but scientists say more research is needed to determine what happens when they hit our water supply and about how they impact the overall food web and ecosystem.
Technology
King, Collins Support Bipartisan Legislation Regarding AM Radio
(Washington, DC) AM radio in every new vehicle? Senators Angus King and Susan Collins are supporting bipartisan legislation that would ensure just that. The legislation results from a growing trend of automakers announcing their intention to remove AM radio from future models. But AM radio continues to be an important source of relevant updates for two-thirds of American farmers, in particular, who rely on them for operations. The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act would direct federal regulators to require automakers to include AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles at no additional charge.
(Washington, DC) When it comes to radio, most of us tune in to strong, local FM stations like Star 97.7. For that reason, there’s a growing trend among automakers who say they intend to remove AM radio from future models. However, AM radio is especially important in rural farm communities, where 2/3 of agricultural workers listen for relevant updates for day to day operations. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King have joined a bipartisan coalition in supporting legislation known as the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. The legislation would ensure new carmakers continue to include AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles at no charge.
Infrastructure
MRC Update
(Hampden) It’s been a long journey since the former Fiberight trash facility in Hampden closed down in 2020 when the company that owned it ran out of money. The closure left 115 communities in Maine on the hook for trash disposal. Last year, the Municipal Review Committee established a partnership with Innovative Resource Recovery. This week, the MRC released an update on progress, saying small amounts of waste from Brewer, Eddington, Carmel and other towns have been brought to the facility for processing and testing. MRC Director Michael Carroll reports reopening will continue to take time, but they’re now confident the facility will reopen, positively impacting waste management and environmental stewardship.
(Hampden) They may be baby steps, but they appear to be steps in the right direction when it comes to reopening the Municipal Waste Solutions facility in Hampden. The former Fiberight plant left 115 Maine communities “trashed” in 2020 when the former owners closed the plant after running out of money. Last year, the Municipal Review Committee established a partnership with Innovative Resource Recovery This week, the MRC released an update on progress, saying small amounts of waste from Brewer, Eddington, Carmel and other towns have been brought to the facility for processing and testing. MRC Director Michael Carroll reports reopening will continue to take time, but they’re now confident the facility will reopen, positively impacting waste management and environmental stewardship.
Sports
Celtics beat the Portland Trailblazers last night 121-99. Celtics in Salt Lake City tonight to make some basketball music with the Utah Jazz.
Bruins fall to the St. Louis Blues 5-1. Bruins off until Thursday, when they’ll put the sticks to the ice against the Canadiens in Montreal.
The Red Sox beat the Pirates 1-zip yesterday in Spring Training. Red Sox vs. Cardinals this afternoon in Spring Training down in Fort Myers, FL.
Congratulations to Sumner grad, Caelan Billlings. Billings, a sophomore at UMaine Farmington, made history last week in Lake Placid, NY, when he captured the gold in snowboarding boardercross, becoming the first athlete since the sport became a varsity program to secure a National Championship.