Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Urges Caution During Extreme Cold Temperatures

AUGUSTA, MAINE -The Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is urging residents and visitors to use caution during extreme cold temperatures. The National Weather Service in Gray forecasts temperatures below zero this evening and Tuesday night with wind chills between 15-30 below zero tomorrow morning. Wind chill warnings and wind chill advisories have been issued for late this evening through tomorrow morning. Snow squalls are also predicted across southwest Maine that may impact this evening's commute.

"With extreme cold temperatures coming to

BREAKING: Freight Train Derails In Biddeford

Update 8:42pm: Arundel and Saco mutual aid units have been cleared by command.

BREAKING: Biddeford, Maine - We have word tonight that a freight train has derailed off of West Cole Rd. with two rail tanker cars reported overturned, no leak in Biddeford, Maine.

Emergency services, Fire and Police on scene, staging is at the high school.

Unknown injuries at this time.

Maine's January 7th-12th Forecast

Update

Coastal York-Knox-Coastal Waldo-Interior Rockingham-

Coastal Rockingham-

Including the cities of Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach,

Kittery, Owls Head, Rockland, Appleton, Camden, Hope, Rockport,

Thomaston, Belfast, Northport, Searsmont, Lincolnville, Salem,

Atkinson, Newton, Plaistow, Chester, Derry, Hampstead, Exeter,

Greenland, Portsmouth, Rye, Hampton, Hampton Falls,

North Hampton, and Seabrook

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 10 PM EST FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 7

  inches expected. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph in the

  afternoon.

* WHERE...In New Hampshire, Interior Rockingham and Coastal

MaineHealth reminds community: ED, Walk-In Centers and Clinics do not perform confirmatory COVID-19 tests

PORTLAND, Maine – MaineHealth is reminding community members who test positive for COVID-19 with at-home tests that they should isolate at home and notify their primary care provider. MaineHealth emergency departments, urgent care and walk-in clinics do not perform confirmatory COVID-19 tests.

“At-home antigen tests are reliable if they're positive and you have symptoms,” said Dora Anne Mills, M.D., MaineHealth Chief Health Improvement Officer. “There is no need to have a confirmatory PCR test before you begin following CDC guidelines for isolation.”

Emergency Departments, Walk-in clinics and urgent care centers should be

University of Maine System universities returning with in-person learning as planned Jan. 18

All in-person students will be required to participate in routine COVID-19 testing starting Feb.1 unless they received a vaccine booster. The System also updated its quarantine, isolation and travel guidance.

Orono, Maine — University of Maine System (UMS) universities plan to maintain in-person learning in the spring semester beginning Jan. 18 with additional guidance to help improve safety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and limit the spread of the delta and omicron variants.  

Starting Feb. 1, UMS will require all

MaineHealth opens high-volume vaccination clinic in Portland

PORTLAND, Maine – MaineHealth is responding to an increase in demand for both booster shots and first dose vaccinations in southern Maine by opening a temporary high-volume vaccine clinic at 110 Free Street in Portland three days a week beginning this Wednesday, Jan. 5.

The clinic, which can accommodate up to 600 patients a day, will be operating by appointment only this Wednesday, Jan. 5 from 12-6 pm, and Thursday and Friday, Jan. 6-7 from 8 am – 3 pm. First and second dose appointments are available to anyone who is at least 5 years old. Those who are at least 16 years old may receive a booster. The clinic is offering the Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccines to all who are eligible. Free parking is available at 128 Free Street behind Dogfish Bar and Grill.

“With the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus spreading rapidly through our

Governor Mills Celebrates Third Anniversary of Voter-Approved Medicaid Expansion in Maine

Three years ago today, on her first day in office – January 3, 2019 – Governor Janet Mills signed an Executive Order expanding voter-approved Medicaid in Maine. Governor Mills issued the following statement today:

“As a result of Medicaid expansion, nearly 90,000 people across Maine are able to see a doctor, receive preventive care, afford medications, and take care of themselves when they become sick — all of which are incredibly important as we continue to tackle the pandemic,” said Governor Janet Mills. “Maine people knew that expanding health care was not only the right thing to do for our people, but it was also the right thing to do for our economy. My Administration will continue to fight for more accessible and affordable health care.”

Expanding Medicaid, which was approved overwhelmingly by Maine people in 2017 at the ballot box, was the Mills Administration’s first step in improving health care for

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