Crime/Public Safety/Drugs Authorities Can Now Get Warrants to Take Persons into Protective Custody (Maine)  Much has been learned from the tragic shooting in Lewiston last October.  One outcome was a bill to strengthen Maine’s yellow flag law.  The law, which went into effect earlier this month, now allows law enforcement officers to obtain a warrant […]

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Local News 08/28/24

Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Authorities Can Now Get Warrants to Take Persons into Protective Custody

(Maine)  Much has been learned from the tragic shooting in Lewiston last October.  One outcome was a bill to strengthen Maine’s yellow flag law.  The law, which went into effect earlier this month, now allows law enforcement officers to obtain a warrant to take someone into protective custody.  The Maine Monitor reports the change makes it easier for officers to respond to threats of violence.  In testimony before the Commission investigating the Lewiston tragedy, Sagadahoc County deputies said when they went to shooter Robert Card’s house to bring him in in the days before the shooting, they were unable to start the protective custody process; and though Card was clearly inside the residence, they were unable to coax or force him to come out without the power of a warrant.  .

(Maine)  New legislation that went into effect earlier this month now allows law enforcement officers to obtain a warrant to take someone into protective custody.  The law strengthens Maine’s yellow flag law and is the direct result of events leading up to the October 2023 tragedy in Lewiston.  Sagadahoc Deputies testified that in the days before the shooting, they went to shooter Robert Card’s home, where he was clearly on the premises, but were unable to coax him out so that they could take him into custody.  And that without a warrant, there was nothing they could do.  The Maine Monitor reports the change in legislation makes it easier for officers to respond to threats of violence by taking persons into protective custody.

Narcan Demonstrations at Blue Hill Fair

(Blue Hill)  Lots of entertainment at this week’s Blue Hill Fair – and some serious training, as well.  Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital staff will be there to educate and train fairgoers on how to administer Narcan.  Maine, for the first time since the start of the pandemic, has seen a decrease in opioid overdose deaths, but experts say the battle is far from over.  Narcan training will be available on Thursday, opening evening, and then from 2 p.m. until close each day.  The training and resources are presented in conjunction with Opiate Free Island Partnership and AMHC.

(Blue Hill)  Rides, fair food, exhibits – and a chance to learn how to save lives through Narcan training.  Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital staff will be at the Blue Hill Fair this year, to educate fairgoers in the use of lifesaving Narcan.  The training and resources are presented in conjunction with Opiate Free Island Partnership and AMHC and will be available Thursday – opening night – and then from 2 p.m. to closing each day.

Economy

CMP Could Become Less Transparent with Sale

(Augusta)  Central Maine Power has moved closer to being able to avoid the state regulatory review of a $2.5B transaction that would make its parent company a privately held business.  The Portland Press Herald reports in the deal, CMP’s parent company, Avangrid, would be 100% owned by a Spanish Company, Iberdrola, making it privately held.  If the deal goes through, Avangrid would no longer be required to file financial details, raising concerns about a lack of transparency.

(Augusta)  If the sale goes through, CMP’s parent company, Avangrid, would be 100% owned by a Spanish multinational electric utility company based in Spain.  The Portland Press Herald says if sold to Iberdrola, Avangrid would be a privately held company, no longer required to file financial details … and raising concerns about a lack of transparency.  A Public Utilities Commission report says an exemption to state law could mean CMP could avoid a regulatory review of the $2.5B change in corporate ownership, and that that is warranted based on regulators’ previous approval of a corporate structure proposed by CMP and based on dozens of conditions that remain in effect.

Bookstacks in Bucksport to Change Hands

(Bucksport)  Andy Lacher has run Bookstacks, a small independent bookstore in Bucksport, for nearly three decades, but says the time has come to sell.  Lacher told the Bangor Daily News he has found a buyer, but little else has been decided.  He says he plans to stick around to help the new owner, Kate Corwin, get on her feet.  Factors that prompted the sale included health concerns – Lacher suffered a heart attack in 2022 – and the stress accompanying the disappearance of his stepson, Graham Lacher, who walked away from the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center in 2022 and hasn’t been seen since.  We wish Andy, his wife, and Kate all the best, and we sure hope Kate plans on keeping the bookstore cat.

Grants for Specialty Crop Producers

(Augusta)  There’s good news for specialty crop producers in Maine.  The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry announced Tuesday more than $600K in grants will soon be distributed to a diverse group of growers.  According to the USDA, specialty crop agriculture is the predominant form of agriculture in Maine and applies to fruits, vegetables, maple syrup and flowers.  Grant recipients will include the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

(Augusta)  Specialty crop producers in Maine got a boost Tuesday from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.  More than $600K in grants will soon be distributed among a diverse group of growers. Specialty crop agriculture applies to fruits, vegetables, maple syrup and flowers and is the predominant form of agriculture in Maine, according to the USDA. Grant recipients will include the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

Health Insurance Rates to Increase Next Year

(Undated)  Along with costs everywhere, health insurance rates in Maine’s ACA marketplace are poised to increase next year by an average of more than 8% for individual plans and more than 9% for small group plans.  MPBN reports the Maine Bureau of Insurance approved the increases, saying they were driven by the high cost of healthcare services and prescription drugs. But Consumers for Affordable Health Care says the marked increase is still concerning and that more needs to be done to investigate what’s behind it.

(Undated)  The rate increases are lower than those initially proposed and less than last year’s double digit increase.  But that’s little solace to those in Maine’s ACA marketplace who are facing next year’s average 8% increase for individual plans and more than 9% for small group plans, according to Maine Public.  While some ratepayers may be shielded from the higher increases, executives with Consumers for Affordable Health Care say it’s still concerning and that more needs to be done to investigate why costs are increasing and to have a concrete plan to bring those costs back down.

Bangor Career Center Temporarily Moving to EMCC

(Bangor)  Beginning next Tuesday, September 3rd, Bangor Career Center services will temporarily move to Eastern Maine Community College while their current facilities undergo a floor remodel.  The location change will last about four weeks.  Check the CareerCenter’s website and social media for updates.

(Bangor)  The Bangor Career Center is getting a facelift.  Beginning Tuesday, Career Center services will temporarily move to Eastern Maine Community College while the Oak Street facility undergoes a floor remodel.  The location change is expected to last about four weeks.  Check the CareerCenter website and social media for updates.

Education

Student Move-in Day at UMaine Augusta

(Augusta)  Tomorrow is student move-in day at the University of Maine Augusta.  The University says the number of first time, full time students is up 25% and they’ve been forced to use overflow housing.  The University’s three residential buildings are at capacity, and UMA has contracted with Best Western Plus Civic Center Inn to help accommodate the overflow.

Infrastructure

More Ellsworth Road Work

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth Public Works project at the end of lower Grant Street will continue through Thursday now.  The City says it ran into unforeseen circumstances during the basin repair.  The site is secured with barricades and the lower end of Grant where it intersects with Main Street is closed to traffic.

(Ellsworth)  Sometimes when you dig in, you run into unforeseen problems.  The City of Ellsworth says that’s the case with the Ellsworth Public Works project at the end of lower Grant Street, so that work will now continue through Thursday.  The site is secured with barricades and the lower end of Grant where it intersects with Main Street is closed to traffic.

Babb’s Bridge Repair Update

(Gorham/Windham)  The Maine Department of Transportation expects Babb’s Bridge between Gorham and Windham   to remain closed to traffic until the spring. Bridge engineers inspected the structure on Monday and determined some of the bridge beams were damaged when an overweight vehicle fell through the bridge deck on Friday afternoon. The repair work can be done by MaineDOT crews, but the lumber will need to be milled specifically to match the species and dimensions of the lumber on Maine’s oldest covered bridge. Procuring the materials is expected to take several months. No word on the cost of that repair at this time.

(Gorham/Windham)  The Maine Department of Transportation is working on the repair of Babb’s Bridge between Gorham and Windham, but says it’s likely to remain closed until Spring, largely because of the specifics of the lumber needed to make those repairs on Maine’s oldest covered bridge. Engineers inspected the structure this week and determined some of the bridge beams were damaged when an overweight vehicle fell through the bridge deck on Friday afternoon. Although the repair work can be done by MaineDOT crews, they say the lumber will need to be milled specifically to match the species and dimensions of the lumber on the bridge. Securing  the materials is expected to take several months.  No word on the cost of that repair at this time.

Human Interest/Entertainment  

Former Naval Station in Cutler Could See New Life

(Cutler)  The former Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station in Cutler could see new purpose in the coming years.  In 2001, the Maine Legislature established the Washington County Development Authority to oversee the abandoned land and buildings.  Since that time, the WCDA board has provided economic opportunities to businesses in the Downeast area by offering economically priced leased space to a warehouse, carpenter’s workshop and storage facilities.  Board Chair Renee Gray tells Star 97.7, recent conversations with a new interested developer have sparked fresh momentum in the future of the former base.  An RFP has been put out for repairs and cleanup of the site, which will need asbestos and lead paint removal, among other concerns.  But the Authority says this is a momentous step in seeking an alternative solution to a longstanding problem.

(Cutler)  A once first class recreation building.  Potential housing in an area where housing is at a premium.  And space for business and economic growth.  The former Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station in Cutler has been a hidden potential opportunity, largely because the Navy left it in need of lead paint and asbestos removal and it’s been identified as a brownfield site.  In 2001, the Maine Legislature established the Washington County Development Authority to oversee the land and buildings, a few of which are leased for warehouse and storage use.  Board Chair Renee Gray tells Star 97.7, recent conversations with a new interested developer have sparked fresh momentum in the future of the former base.  An RFP has been put out for repairs and cleanup of the site, which will need asbestos and lead paint removal, among other concerns.  But the Authority says it’s a significant step in seeking an alternative solution to a longstanding problem.

Sports

Red Sox 6  Blue Jays  3