Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Lewiston Shooting Prompts Military to Issue New Guidelines to Detect Brain Injuries
(Undated) New military recruits will be required to undergo baseline cognitive assessments in order to compare and detect later brain injuries. The Portland Press Herald reports the new policy comes five months after a Boston University lab found evidence of severe brain injuries in Army Reservist Robert Card, who killed 18 people in Lewiston last October. As a reservist, Card spent several weeks each year training cadets in the use of hand grenades and high powered weapons, which may have caused damage known as BOP or “blast overpressure” in the brain.
(Undated) More change as a result of the October shooting in Lewiston that left 18 dead and multiple others wounded. The Portland Press Herald reports new military recruits will be required to undergo baseline cognitive assessments to compare and detect possible later brain injuries. A Boston University lab found evidence of severe brain injuries in the shooter, Army Reservist Robert Card, whose family said he exhibited signs of increasing paranoia in the months leading up to the massacre. As a reservist, Card spent several weeks each year training cadets in the use of hand grenades and high powered weapons, which may have caused damage known as BOP or “blast overpressure” in the brain.
Regulators Reject Versant Proposal
(Bangor) State regulators on Tuesday rejected Versant Power’s proposal that the utility be able to proactively notify law enforcement of homes with high energy usage – often a red flag to illegal marijuana growing operations. The Maine Public Utilities Commission unanimously rejected the proposal, saying customers often have valid reasons for increased electricity use. The commission said such action could be construed as an invasion of privacy by innocent customers. Versant has long been cooperating with law enforcement when it receives a subpoena requesting such information.
(Bangor) Versant Power has long cooperated with law enforcement when it receives a subpoena requesting information on a customer’s utility usage. A spike in such usage can be a red flag to illegal marijuana growing operations, especially in rural Maine homes and facilities where the trade has grown … well, like a weed. On Tuesday, the Maine Public Utilities Commission unanimously rejected a proposal by Versant that the utility be allowed to proactively notify authorities of any unusual spike in utility usage. The commission said such action could be construed as an invasion of privacy by innocent customers.
Costco Cracks Down on Non-Members
(Scarborough) Costco says it is adding membership scanners that will be activated upon customer entry to the wholesaler. ABC News reports the move was necessitated because of customers sharing membership cards at the members-only store, allowing non-members to slip inside under false pretense. Shoppers will soon need their cards and a photo ID. The company says the move is to protect those who pay for memberships. Maine’s first Costco opened in Scarborough last November.
(Scarborough) Costco is cracking down on non-members who use the ID cards of members to slip in and shop under false pretenses. ABC News reports the wholesale warehouse store is adding membership scanners that will be activated upon entry. Shoppers will need a membership card and ID with a photo. Costco says the move is designed to protect those who pay for their memberships. Maine’s first Costco opened last November in Scarborough.
Local Politics
Hearings Set for Ballot Challenges
(Augusta) A hearing set for today for challenges to petitions submitted for Cornell West to be on the Maine Presidential ballot. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows says a challenge to Robert F. Kennedy’s petition, received on August 8th, was dropped by the challenger yesterday. Challenges to West’s petitions by three individuals question the validity of signatures and claim there were irregularities in how they were collected. Secretary Bellows will rule on the validity of the challenges within five days after completion of the hearing, and West can then appeal if needed.
(Augusta) The Secretary of State’s office received three separate challenges to the petitions of two candidates vying to be on the Maine Presidential ballot. A Topsham resident had challenged Robert F. Kennedy’s petition, but dropped the challenge on Tuesday. Three people are challenging the petitions of Cornell West. Those challenges question the validity of signatures and claim there were irregularities in how they were collected. A hearing is set for today, with the burden of proof falling on those who submitted the challenges. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows will rule on the validity of the challenges within five days after completion of today’s hearing, and West can then appeal if needed.
Absentee Ballots Available
(Augusta) Registered voters in Maine can now request absentee ballots for the November election. Ballots can be requested through the state’s website, where citizens can also provide updated information to their existing voter registration, change party enrollment or register to vote in the state for the first time at register to vote s o s dot maine dot gov forward slash. You can also request an absentee ballot from your town or city clerk. Ballots will be sent out in October.
(Augusta) Get a jump on those absentee ballots by requesting them now for the November election. Ballots can be requested through the state’s website, where residents can also provide updated information to their existing voter registration, change party enrollment or register to vote in the state for the first time. You can request an absentee ballot online through the state or by contacting your town or city clerk. Ballots themselves won’t be available until 30 days before Election Day.
Environment
Farmers’ Almanac Predicts Wet, Windy Winter
(Undated) Get ready for a wet and windy winter this year! The Farmers’ Almanac is out, and predicts a “Wet Winter Whirlwind” for the 2024-25 winter season. Average or above normal temperatures are forecast for New England and the Northeast, with Christmas, sadly, looking more wet than white.
Health
Pandemic Proved Exceptionally Costly for Northern Light Health
(Ellsworth) The pandemic not only attacked the health of people physically, but also dealt a deadly blow to the financial health of many hospitals and other healthcare institutions. The Bangor Daily News reports instability caused by the pandemic has forced Northern Light Health, one of Maine’s largest providers, to drastically cut or scale back services. A spokesperson for Northern Light said for fiscal year 2023, operating losses totaled $36 million, and those losses continue to grow. At the end of the second quarter in 2024, the healthcare giant reportedly had a more than $60M deficit.
(Ellsworth) Scaled back services, a change in ambulance fees that shocked and handicapped the budgets of multiple small towns, and shuttered facilities in Southwest Harbor and Orono. The Bangor Daily News reports those are just some of the measures taken by one of the state’s largest healthcare providers as Northern Light Health works to dig itself out of the financial hole resulting from the pandemic. A Northern Light spokesperson said for fiscal year 2023, operating losses totaled $36 million, and those losses continue to grow. At the end of the second quarter in 2024, the healthcare giant reportedly had a more than $60M deficit. Because healthcare is expensive, many people think hospitals are making money; but NLH spokesperson Suzanne Spruce said it’s simply not true.
Biomedical Research Gets $19M Boost
(Bar Harbor) Senator Susan Collins Tuesday announced $19.4M in funding for the Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence at the MDI Laboratory. The collaborative network promotes the development and coordination of research resources and expertise and provides further research opportunities for undergrad students, financial support for early career scientists, and infrastructure investments at the participating institutions.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Heart of Ellsworth Announces Maine Outdoor Film Festival
(Ellsworth) The Maine Outdoor Film Festival is coming to the Franklin Street parklet in Downtown Ellsworth! Heart of Ellsworth reports the festival travels the state to bring specially curated film programs to area residents in cities and towns throughout Maine. The event features Outdoor Adventure films from across Maine and around the world that are of interest to all ages, but those under 21 must be accompanied by an adult. A suggested donation of $5 to $10 is recommended for the August 21st event which begins at 7:45 p.m. Check out Heart of Ellsworth on FB to learn more.
(Ellsworth) Join Heart of Ellsworth at the Maine Outdoor Film Festival – coming August 21st to the Franklin Street Parklet downtown! The festival, underwritten by the World Wildlife Fund, features Outdoor Adventure films from across Maine and around the world that all ages will enjoy, though anyone under 21 must be accompanied by an adult. The film showings begin at 7:45, and a suggested donation of $5 to $10 is requested. Check out Heart of Ellsworth on FB to learn more!
Ellsworth Chamber Announces Autumn Gold Decorating Contest
(Ellsworth) Ahoy, Matee! Pull out the treasure chests and don those eye patches! The Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce announces the Autumn Gold Citywide Decorating contest is underway! This year’s theme is “It’s a Pirate’s Life for Me”! Registration with a picture of your window or display must be completed and turned in to the Chamber by September 12th for public online voting, with awards presented at the Business After Hours on September 26th. You don’t want to walk the plank, now, do you? So get busy and get decorating!
(Ellsworth) Batten down the hatches and call out the buccaneers! It’s all hands on deck for the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce Autumn Gold Citywide Decorating contest! Hoist the Jolly Roger and haul out the doubloons – this year’s theme is “It’s a Pirate’s Life for Me”! Registration with a picture of your window or display must be completed and turned in to the Chamber by September 12th for public online voting. Hoist the sails and decorations and have fun – otherwise ya might end up swimming with the fishes in Davy Jones’ Locker!!
Sports
The Red Sox hoping to make it three for three tonight as they step up to the plate again at Fenway to take on the Texas Rangers. Last night’s game went to Boston 9-4.