Merry Christmas Eve Eve!
Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigates Fire, Explosion in Grand Lake Stream
(GLS) The State Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate a house fire and explosion in Grand Lake Stream that happened last Thursday. Authorities were called to the Milford Road home they say was destroyed in a blaze that originated at the home’s exterior. Sources tell Star 97.7 a delivery driver was filling propane tanks when a malfunction caused the release of gas, causing the explosion when the propane was ignited by an unknown source. The truck driver sustained second degree burns and was treated and released from a local hospital. The owner was at home at the time of the fire but was not injured.
(GLS) A fire and explosion at a residence on Milford Road in Grand Lake Stream last Thursday destroyed a single family residence. Authorities say the blaze originated at the home’s exterior. A delivery driver was reportedly filling propane tanks when a malfunction caused the release of gas that was then ignited by an unknown source. The resulting explosion caused the truck driver second degree burns. He was treated at a local hospital and released. The homeowner was home at the time of the blaze but was not injured. The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.
FMO Investigates Lincolnville House Fires
(Lincolnville) Two fires that occurred in the early morning hours in Lincolnville on Friday remain under investigation. The first fire was reported around 1 a.m. at a home on Old Stone Road. The homeowners, who were asleep, were awakened by the fire and safely escaped. They say a chimney fire was to blame. A second blaze occurred the same morning around 8:30 at a home on Mass Pike. The Fire Marshal’s Office says in that instance, a wood stove was likely to blame. The homeowners were not at home at the time of that fire.
(Lincolnville) Firefighters say wood stoves were to blame in a pair of fires in Lincolnville on Friday. The first fire was reported at 1 a.m. at a home on Old Stone Road. The homeowners in that instance were asleep, but were awakened by the fire, which apparently started in a chimney. They were able to escape unharmed. A second fire was reported about 8:30 a.m. on Mass Pike. No one was at home when that fire broke out, and the blaze is being blamed on a wood stove.
Sidney Homicide
(Sidney) Authorities say a 14 yo boy was the victim of a homicide on Friday. Public Safety Spokesperson Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, 39 yo Megan McDonald went to the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office around 5:30 Friday morning to report an incident that occurred at her home on Summerhaven Road in Sidney. Deputies went to the home and found the body of the teen outside. McDonald was arrested later that day and charged with murder. The Medical Examiner’s office says the boy died of asphyxiation, manual strangulation and sharp force injury. An investigation into that incident remains active.
(Sidney) Authorities are investigating the death of a 14 year old boy they say was killed on Friday at his home in Sidney. Maine State Police say about 5:30 Friday morning, 39 yo Megan McDonald went to the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office to report “an incident” that had occurred at her home. Deputies arrived at the Summerhaven Road residence and found the body of the teen outside. An autopsy revealed the boy died of asphyxiation, manual strangulation and sharp force injury. McDonald was taken into custody later that day. She’s charged with murder and is being held in the Kennebec Correctional Facility.
Local Politics
Social Security Fairness Act Passed
(Washington, DC) Teachers, Firefighters, Police Officers and other public servants in more than two dozen states, including Maine, are championing passage of the Social Security Fairness Act. The bill was proposed by Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio. It repeals two provisions of the Social Security Act that unfairly reduced benefits for more than 2 million Americans who paid into Social Security along with other pensions, simply because such workers held those other pensions. Targeted workers had railed against the unfairness and unconstitutionality of the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset for 40 years, losing out on millions. The bill now awaits President Biden’s signature. The bill was co-sponsored by Maine Independent Senator Angus King.
(Washington, DC) They’ve lost out on millions in Social Security benefits earned over the past 40 years, but teachers, firefighters, police officers, park rangers, and other public servants in more than two dozen states, including Maine, can now look forward to their full Social Security benefits being restored, thanks to the Social Security Fairness Act, proposed by Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio. In an early morning vote on Saturday, Congress opted to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which unfairly targeted the monies paid by workers who held other jobs and contributed to Social Security, in addition to their pensions – those benefits cut by as much as ⅔. The bill now awaits President Biden’s signature.
Economy
Unemployment Assistance
(Maine) Need help with unemployment insurance? Beginning January 2nd, the Maine Department of Labor will offer in-person assistance at Maine Career Centers. The service will be available every Thursday from 9 to 3 at most centers except Machias and will provide direct support to those navigating unemployment claims and related concerns.
(Maine) If you find yourself unemployed and struggling to navigate that unemployment insurance claim, help is on the way. Beginning January 2nd, the Maine Department of Labor will offer in-person assistance at all Maine Career Centers except Machias. The service will be available Thursdays from 9 to 3. You can also file online or by phone, weekdays from 9 to 3.
Health
MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital Named A Top Rural Hospital
(Rockport) A Rockport Hospital has earned the Top Rural Hospital honor for the second time since 2021. The Pen Bay Pilot reports MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital received the Leapfrog Top Hospital award, considered one of the most competitive honors American hospitals can receive. The award is based on quality of patient care, infection rates, practices for safer surgery, maternity care, and a capacity to prevent medication errors. Hospitals that receive the award must also rank top among their peers on a Leapfrog Hospital Survey. MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland was named a Top Teaching Hospital for a third straight year.
(Rockport) A Maine hospital is feeling a healthy dose of pride today. The Pen Bay Pilot reports MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital earned the Top Rural Hospital honor for the second time since 2021. The award is given by the Leapfrog Top Hospital program, considered one of the most competitive honors an American hospital can receive. Among other things, the quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance is considered in establishing qualifications for the award. MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland was named a Top Teaching Hospital for the third straight year.
Technology
Governor Mills Signs Order Establishing AI Task Force
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills on Friday signed an Executive Order establishing a task force on Artificial Intelligence. Experts say with nearly a fifth of the U.S. workforce classified as “highly exposed” to AI, companies are vulnerable to job transformations, but also face the potential of improved productivity and efficiency. The task force will examine the opportunities and implications of AI for the state’s people, economy, and institutions.
(Augusta) Artificial Intelligence – it has the potential for great advancement, but also great disruption to Maine’s people and economy. On Friday, Governor Janet Mills signed an Executive Order establishing a task force on AI. With nearly a fifth of the U.S. workforce classified as “highly exposed” to AI, experts say companies are vulnerable to job transformations, but also face the potential of improved productivity and efficiency. The task force will examine the opportunities and implications of AI for the state’s people, economy, and institutions.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Bay of Fundy Marathon to Return
(Lubec) The popular Bay of Fundy Marathon is coming back this June! The two-nation event includes Lubec in Maine and Campobello in New Brunswick, two fishing villages that share an international border. The 2025 event is scheduled for June 22nd. The non-profit marathon committee is looking for volunteers to help with the event that features shared shorelines, clean air, cool June temperatures, and lighthouses that have guided mariners for generations. To volunteer, email d c deluca at yahoo dot com.
(Lubec) The Bay of Fundy International Marathon is back this June! The remote and rural marathon that includes Lubec, Maine and Campobello, New Brunswick is one of only three marathons to cross the international border between the US and Canada. The race features shared shorelines, fresh air, cool June temperatures, and lighthouses that have guided mariners for generations. The race committee is looking for volunteers for the June 22nd event – email d c deluca at yahoo dot com if interested!
Sports
Some local high school basketball games this evening. The Narraguagus boys take on Woodland. And these matchups between both the boys and girls teams: The Deer Isle/Stonington teams hit the hardwood against Sumner, and the Lee Academy boys and girls shoot hoops with Searsport.
The Patriots lose to the Bills yesterday 24-21.
The Celtics in Orlando for a game against the Magic.
The Bruins host the Washington Capitals.