Maine January 1st-6th Forecast

 Southern & Mid-Coast

Tonight

Scattered rain showers before midnight, then patchy freezing drizzle between midnight and 3am, then a slight chance of rain showers after 3am. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 32. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

New Year's Day

Patchy drizzle with scattered showers before 1pm, then showers likely with patchy drizzle after 1pm. Areas of fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 38. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday Night

Rain. Low around 34. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday

Rain likely before 5pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday Night

A chance of snow before 8pm, then a chance of snow showers between 8pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy,

Central Maine Power Donates More than $330,000 to Community Organizations Across Maine

Donations benefit organizations including EqualityMaine, Maine Huts & Trails, WinterKids, Make-A-Wish Maine

AUGUSTA, ME – December 28, 2021 –  Central Maine Power (CMP) is proud to support community organizations throughout Maine. Over the last year, CMP has invested over $330,000 from shareholders into the communities they serve.

In addition to these donations, earlier this year, CMP announced targeted

Governor Mills Announces Maine Veterans’ Dental Network to Continue Services in New Year with $100,000 Grant from Northeast Delta Dental

Governor Janet Mills announced today that, due to a generous grant from Northeast Delta Dental, the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network (MVDN) will resume its dental services in the New Year for Maine veterans who otherwise cannot afford them.

“I am truly grateful to Northeast Delta Dental for their generosity, which will allow this program to continue providing vital dental services to veterans across Maine,” said Governor Janet Mills. “My Administration is committed to doing all we can to serve and honor our servicemembers, and this partnership is critical to their overall health and wellbeing.”

Governor Mills launched the Maine Veterans Dental Network in partnership with Northeast Delta Dental, participating dental clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC). The Network began providing services on May 15th with an initial grant of

All State Offices Opening at 11:00 A.M Tomorrow, December 22, 2021

Update: Legislative offices are closed until Monday December 27 due to the winter storm and holiday.

With inclement weather expected to cause icy roads and hazardous driving conditions, Governor Janet Mills has directed all State of Maine offices to open at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, December 22, 2021:

“With both snow and sleet predicted for tomorrow, we are expecting icy roads and dangerous driving conditions across much of Maine,” said Governor Mills. “I urge all Maine people to avoid driving until the roads are safe and, if you have to be on the road, drive slowly and cautiously for the sake of road crews and first responders working to keep us all safe.”

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday for portions of southwest and western Maine which are expected to see accumulations of snow and ice. Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous to drivers.

Governor Mills Announces Federal COVID-19 Ambulance Teams Coming to Eight Maine Hospitals

Hospitals to host ambulances and emergency medical crews that will match patients with open beds at facilities throughout Maine

Governor Janet Mills announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Maine’s request for Federal Ambulance Teams on behalf of eight Maine hospitals. The Federal teams will assist Maine emergency medical services (EMS) crews with non-emergency transportation of patients among facilities to match patients with open beds and ensure they are treated in the facility that best meets their health care needs.

The ambulance teams are among a slate of initiatives President Biden announced

BREAKING: Area Departments Working 516 Cushing Rd. Warren Fire

Update: Fire is knocked down, overhauling.

BREAKING: Warren, Maine - Firefighters from area departments Tuesday evening are working a structure fire at 516 Cushing Rd. in Warren, Maine.

Units on scene reporting smoke showing from back of main building.

BREAKING: Firefighters Working To Put Out 509 River Rd. Cushing Garage Fire

Update at 6:08pm: Fire knocked down, overhauling.

BREAKING: Cushing, Maine - Firefighters from area departments Tuesday evening are working to put out a garage fire at 509 River Rd. in Cushing, Maine.

Flames showing from the back.

Governor Mills Announces Deployment of National Guard Members to Ten Health Care Facilities Across Maine

Administration’s plan to expand hospital capacity is expected to open an estimated 80 additional inpatient hospitals beds to care for Maine people

Governor Janet Mills announced today that members of the Maine National Guard will deploy to ten health care facilities across the state this week to help relieve hospitals experiencing capacity challenges and to maintain access to inpatient health care for Maine people amid a sustained surge of COVID-19. The Mills Administration anticipates that these actions, coupled with the other steps it has taken in partnership with the Federal government and Maine’s health care systems, will provide an estimated total of 80 additional inpatient hospital beds to care for Maine people.

Governor Mills activated up to 75 members of the Maine National Guard last

MMC Welcomes Medical Professionals from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The team of 15 from the federal government’s National Disaster Medical System will provide short-term support for MMC during the current surge.

PORTLAND, Maine – Maine Medical Center (MMC) welcomed 15 medical professionals from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Saturday to help manage the unprecedented surge in patient volume that MMC is experiencing due to COVID-19. The team, from the HHS National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), was sent to MMC at the request of the state of Maine, and in collaboration with FEMA.

The federal NDMS team includes physicians, advanced healthcare practitioners,

UNE faculty member and graduate student named winners at national poster event

VIEW THE 2021 IPEC POSTER FAIR WINNERS

Collyn J. Baeder, M.P.H., assistant clinical professor and internship coordinator for Health, Wellness, and Occupational Studies, and Elisabelle Bocal, M.S., M.S.W. ’24, reunion gift officer for Institutional Advancement and School of Social Work graduate student, are named winners at the 2021 Poster Fair of the national Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC).

Baeder presented her winning poster, “From Day 1: Peer Teachers Educate, Role Model, & Immerse Undergraduate First-Years in Interprofessional Competencies.” Her

Senator King Urges Vaccines, Masking As State’s COVID-19 Rates and Hospitalizations Reach Record Highs

King supports Governor’s activation of National Guard, says “COVID-19 has never been a bigger threat to Maine people than it is today”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King released a statement urging Maine people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, receive a booster shot, and mask in public, indoor areas regardless of vaccine status. The Senator’s call comes as the state sets new records in cases and hospitalizations, and a day after Governor Janet Mills activated Maine National Guard personnel to address challenges facing the state’s healthcare system.

“Nearly two years into the pandemic, COVID-19 has never been a bigger threat to Maine people than it is today,” Senator King said. “We are seeing record highs in both new cases and hospitalizations, costing lives and putting our state’s most vulnerable citizens in jeopardy. This dangerous surge is stretching the capacity of Maine’s hospitals and

Senators Collins, King Announce Maine Nominees to the U.S. Military Service Academies

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced their nominees to the United States Military Academies. To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress.  Admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy, also a federal service academy, does not require a congressional nomination.

“We are proud to have the honor to nominate such an impressive group of Maine

Maine Medical Center Limits Visitation to Manage COVID-19 Surge

MMC makes this change as community transmission of COVID-19 continues to rise.

PORTLAND, Maine – In support of a safe care environment for both patients and care team members during the current COVID-19 surge, Maine Medical Center (MMC) is limiting visitation to all inpatient areas, with targeted exceptions, effective Saturday, Dec. 11.

Under the new visitor policy, visitation will be limited to:

• Pediatrics and Obstetrics: Two visitors allowed per day, for one visit.
• Emergency Department: Two parents/guardians for pediatric patients, provided space is sufficient to achieve compliance with social distancing.
• Ambulatory/Diagnostic areas: Adult patients should arrange for drop-off and pick-up unless they need special assistance. Visitors are not allowed to wait in

MaineHealth Innovation Announces First Recipients of its $100,000 Bonfire Fund

Two groups of MaineHealth care team members will split the inaugural fund to advance their innovations: A robotic clot retriever and a portable negative pressure isolation tent.

PORTLAND, Maine – MaineHealth Innovation will be investing $100,000 through its inaugural Bonfire Fund in two innovations designed to improve the care of patients. The innovations receiving funding are a robotic clot retriever to improve the way neurosurgeons clear blood clots from brains, and the Collapsible Aerosolized Particle Enclosure (CAPE), a portable negative pressure isolation tent that fits over patient beds to help contain infectious particles.

The Bonfire Fund was created by MaineHealth as part of its not-for-profit

Pen Bay Medical Center Announces Naming of Charlotte and Christopher Beebe Health Center

ROCKPORT— Pen Bay Medical Center has named its newest building the Charlotte and Christopher Beebe Health Center to recognize the couple’s generous gift to support its construction. Completed last December, the 42,000-square-foot building brings together under one roof most of the hospital’s primary care practices. It also provides space where specialists from the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center can meet with patients in Rockport, reducing the need for children with special health needs to travel to Portland.

“We believe that improving access to primary care is the best way to improve the health of our community, and the Beebe Health Center is a critical part of that effort,” said Mark Fourre, MD, president of PBMC and Waldo County General Hospital. “We’re

BREAKING: Area Departments Battling Otis Point Rd St. George Structure Fire

Update at 2:12pm: Fire is out, looking for hot spots.

Update at 11:21am: According to unit on scene, structure fully involved with exposures.

BREAKING: St. George, Maine - Firefighters from area departments are battling a structure fire Thursday, December 9th, 2021 at 219 Otis Point Rd. in St. George, Maine.

Everyone is out according to dispatch.

Heavy smoke showing.

BREAKING: Firefighters Battling 13 Waterman Lane North Haven Structure Fire

BREAKING: North Haven, Maine - Firefighters are battling a structure fire at 13 Waterman Lane on Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 in North Haven, Maine.

MaineHealth Providers Stretched to the Limit by Surging COVID-19 Hospitalizations

As the Delta variant spreads through the ranks of the unvaccinated, the region’s largest health care system says its hospitals are full, and patients can expect long waits for inpatient care and even clinic-based services.

PORTLAND, Maine – Leaders from across MaineHealth, northern New England’s largest integrated health care network, said today that an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations among the unvaccinated is pushing their network to the brink.

As a result, Maine Medical Center in Portland, the region’s leading tertiary care center, has at times this week run out of critical care beds and has had to divert patients away

Senators Collins, King Announce $4 Million to Bolster Health Services in Maine

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that two organizations in the State of Maine have received a total of $4,047,727 to strengthen health care services. This funding was awarded through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Health Center Cluster Program.

 

“Access to affordable care is key to protecting the health and well-being of Mainers, particularly amid the ongoing pandemic,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We welcome this funding to support health centers in Lubec and

Governor Mills Activates Maine National Guard to Maintain Hospital Capacity & Ensure Care for Maine People Amid Increasing COVID-19 Hospitalizations

Mills Administration also requests Federal COVID-19 Response Teams from Biden Administration to supplement hospital staff and Maine National Guard

Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has activated additional members of the Maine National Guard to help alleviate short-term capacity constraints at hospitals and maintain access to inpatient health care services for Maine people amid a sustained surge of COVID-19.

The Governor’s decision follows discussions with Maine’s hospital systems and comes as Maine and the rest of New England experience record hospitalizations during a sustained surge of COVID-19 driven almost entirely by the Delta variant. The vast majority of

Pingree, Newhouse, Blumenthal Reintroduce Bicameral Bill to Standardize Food Date Labels, Cut Food Waste

The Food Date Labeling Act aims to end consumer confusion around food date labeling and ensure Americans don’t prematurely throw away food

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Dan Newhouse (R-Washington) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Food Date Labeling Act, a bill designed to end consumer confusion around food date labeling and ensure Americans do not feel it is necessary to throw out safe, useable food. Studies have shown that Americans are confused by food date labels, resulting in a significant amount of edible food ending up in landfills. The Food Date Labeling Act will reduce food waste by standardizing date labels on food products.

“It’s estimated that around 90 percent of Americans prematurely throw out

King Commemorates 80th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

Historic Date That Will Live in Infamy Also “Shining Beacon of the American Spirit”

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement honoring the 80th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor:

“December 7, 1941 altered the course of history. Just before 8:00 a.m., the Empire of

Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s Youth Peer Support Statewide Network to Open Portland Peer Support Center

A grand opening of the Portland Peer Support Center will be held December 16 from Noon – 3 pm.

PORTLAND, MAINE – The Youth Peer Support Statewide Network (YPSSN), a program of Maine Behavioral Healthcare (MBH), plans to open a Peer Support Center on December 14, 2021. The Center will offer peer support groups, drop-in space, art groups, games, movie nights and various activities and events determined by the peer community.

“This will be a welcoming space where youth and young adults can come together to support one another,” said Randy Morrison, director of peer services at MBH. “They

Maine Behavioral Healthcare Clinicians Achieve Accreditation to Expand Services to Western Maine Families

PORTLAND, MAINE – Kristie Worster, director of Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s clinical services in Norway, announced today that licensed clinical social workers Alyssa Morrison and Nina Williams have achieved Positive Parenting Program accreditation, an advanced-level training for practitioners focused on the prevention and treatment of behavioral and emotional disorders in children and teens.

Also known as Triple P accreditation, the training Morrison and Williams completed is grounded in an international evidence-based program designed to promote positive

CMP Monitors, Prepares for Gusty Winds Monday-Tuesday

Prepared to respond across service area

AUGUSTA, ME — December 6, 2021 – CMP is monitoring the potential for strong winds across the service territory Monday afternoon into Tuesday. Current forecasts call for wind gusts between 35 and 40 mph with the potential to reach speeds of 45 to 50 mph along the coast.

“We will continue to monitor how this weather system develops today,” said Adam Desrosiers, Vice President Electric Operations for CMP.  “We have been in touch with local Emergency Management Officials about priorities.  We have also reserved 120 contract lineworkers and 95 tree workers in the event they’re needed to assist the 200 CMP lineworkers respond to any outages caused by the weather.”

High wind gusts frequently cause trees from outside CMP’s allowed trimming

230 Sites Recognized in York County by Let’s Go! for Helping Kids Make Healthy Choices

SANFORD, Maine – 230 early care & education programs, schools, out-of-school programs, school cafeterias, and health care practices in York County have been recognized by Let’s Go! for their commitment to improving children’s health. Let’s Go!, a nationally-recognized childhood obesity prevention program, has honored 580 sites across Maine and New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington Valley for creating environments that support healthy lifestyle choices. Recognition is based on implementation of the program’s five evidence-based strategies to increase healthy eating and active living.

All partnered sites are committed to making it easier for children to eat well and

Very Merry Falmouth, December 2-4, 2021

The Town of Falmouth, Falmouth-Cumberland Community Chamber, and Falmouth Memorial Library present Falmouth's annual community event, Very Merry Falmouth, Thursday, December 2 through Saturday, December 4.  Most events take place at our new location in the American Legion parking lot on Depot Road.  Learn more at www.verymerryfalmouth.com.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, December 2

5:30pm - 35th Annual Falmouth Community Tree Lighting at Village Park

Owls Win Four in a Row

Augusta, ME — The Owls traveled down to the famous Augusta Civic Center to face off against the University of Maine at Augusta. The women's team walked away with a win to advance them to a 4-0 start, winning 67-59. 

The Owls started with a six-point lead after the first quarter, as it was a full team effort with six Owls scoring in the first ten minutes. Emily Wheaton (Presque Isle, ME) would continue to lead the team with six more points in the second half, giving her 11 points in the first half as UMPI goes to the locker room up five. It was the UMPI defense in the third quarter as they held the Moose to eight points, only allowing three field goals in the ten minutes. 

The Owls were able to put it away in the fourth. Wheaton led the UMPI with 19 points, 3-7 from the three while recording four rebounds. Mariah Dunbar (Canaan, ME) finished the game with 13 points off 4-7 shooting. Hunter Mercier (Fairfield, ME) finished with ten points off the bench. 

As they sit 4-0 the Owls will now start their North Atlantic Conference play, as they open with Husson University on December 4th, at Husson in Bangor Maine.

Owls Fly Past Moose

Augusta, ME — The Owls men's basketball team traveled down to the famous Augusta Civic Center where the Owls faced off against the host team, the University of Maine at Augusta Moose. The Owls earned the win after a rocky start, winning the game 82-70 bringing their record to 2-5 on the year. 

The teams were back and forth early in the game as they were tied up ten points

CMP Announces Future Focused Plan for Organizational and Grid Improvement

Company builds on recognized improvements from July report

AUGUSTA, ME – December 1, 2021 –  Central Maine Power (CMP), a subsidiary of Avangrid Networks, Inc. and part of the AVANGRID, Inc. family of companies, today announced organizational and governance changes designed to strengthen local management and accountability while continuing to improve reliability and service to customers. The Performance Improvement Plan, filed with the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), addresses the Liberty Consulting Group’s Audit Report that was issued in July. The July audit report concluded that CMP had improved customer service satisfaction levels on actual customer interactions since 2018 and noted a decrease in the number of customer complaints. The report also outlined opportunities for the company to further improve its service to customers.

“CMP is well down the road to making organizational improvements that

Statement of President Joan Ferrini-Mundy on Maine Climate Council meeting at UMaine

Today, Gov. Janet Mills visited the University of Maine, the state’s public research university, to mark the one-year progress of the Maine Climate Council and to announce new initiatives to empower communities in the fight against climate change. The governor’s announcement recognized a regional climate planning partnership formed this year by the town of Orono, the city of Bangor, the University of Maine and Husson University.

A dozen researchers from the University of Maine and the University of Maine

Pingree Applauds Actions to Implement Maine’s Climate Action Plan

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today praised the Governor Mills Administration’s progress over the last year to implement the Climate Action Plan and released the following statement:

“One year ago today, Governor Mills and her team unveiled Maine’s four-year Climate Action Plan, presenting the state legislature with a landmark roadmap to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect Maine’s environment. With this bold plan, the administration sent a clear message: Maine won’t wait,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “The American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are helping Maine implement the quick action needed to stem climate impacts and achieve the

Collins, King Announce Nearly $225,000 to Expand Sustainable, Nutritious Meal Options in Maine Schools

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the University of Maine has received a total of $224,963 to create a new Maine Farm to School Institute, which will connect schools with locally grown food and educate rural middle and high school students about nutrition.  This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

“Farm-to-school programs have proven to be successful at providing schools

Reed Gallery presents People & Places exhibit

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Art Gallery will present People & Places: Figurative and Landscape Art from the University Collections between Dec. 3, 2021 and Feb. 18, 2022. The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the show’s run and attend the Opening Reception on Friday, Dec. 3, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This reception is being held in conjunction with the Presque Isle First Friday Art Walk. The Reed Gallery is located on the second floor of the University’s Center for Innovative Learning.

To ensure everyone’s safety, anyone entering campus buildings is required to wear a face covering and either be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID test within 72 hours.

The human figure and the landscape have long been the inspiration for