Maine
Maine mental health care advocates push for services after Lewiston shooting – Maine Beacon
Advocates for mental-health care in Maine are applauding Gov. Janet Mills’ push to increase access to services, following last year’s deadly shooting in Lewiston.
Mills has proposed the establishment of a statewide network of crisis receiving centers so that any person can get prompt and appropriate care.
Hannah Longley, clinical director of advocacy and crisis interventions with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Maine, called them an amazing model that reduces stigma and saves money.
“It helps to divert from higher levels of care,” said Longley, “so individuals are less likely to end up in an emergency room or criminal-justice system.”
Longley said too often people in crisis end up in county jails where they remain until they’ve been stabilized.
The governor’s proposal builds on the success of an individual crisis center in Portland and efforts to build a new center in Lewiston.
Maine is experiencing a shortage of mental-health care professionals, and state lawmakers have introduced several bills to improve their pay, remove barriers to licensure and reduce their student debt.
Longley said twenty years ago, Maine was the envy of the nation in terms of mental-health services and treatment.
She said without greater support for health-care professionals, it will be hard to earn that reputation back.
“Social work historically has been one of the lowest paid masters-level professions,” said Longley, “that still has the same amount of educational debt, and so really trying to make that a viable workforce.”
Longley said the Lewiston shooting has brought greater attention to the need for a continuing network of care across the state.
She noted that studies show people suffering from mental illness are far more likely to be the victims of violence than to commit violent acts.
Disclosure: NAMI Maine contributes to our fund for reporting on Mental Health, Social Justice, Youth Issues.
Maine
Amtrak train strikes, kills man in Old Orchard Beach, Maine
A 51-year-old man was fatally struck by an Amtrak train in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, on Thursday afternoon, and police believe alcohol was a factor.
Old Orchard Beach Police say they responded around 2:18 p.m. to the area of the railroad tracks located off from the roadway near 133 Temple Avenue. The victim, who had been struck by a train traveling northbound, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Information obtained from witnesses suggests the man was traveling alone and walking nearby the railroad tracks moments before being struck by the train, according to police, who didn’t say why they believe alcohol was a factor in the incident.
The victim’s name is being withheld pending further investigation and notification, with police saying only that he was from Old Orchard Beach.
Amtrak said in a statement obtained by NBC10 Boston affiliate News Center Maine that the individual was trespassing when he came into contact with the train.
Amtrak urged the public in its statement to stay off railroad property and use caution around railroad tracks and grade crossings, writing, “These incidents can affect everyone involved—those who are injured or die and their families, our train crews, and our passengers.”
There were no reported injuries among the 135 passengers and crew members abord the No. 683 train that was traveling from Boston to Brunswick until the incident happened on Thursday.
The added that preventing railroad incidents and fatalities is a priority for them. Amtrak is working with local authorities investigating this latest incident.
An investigation remains ongoing by the Old Orchard Beach Police Department, Amtrak Police and Saco Police Department, which responded to assist.
Maine
High bacteria advisories reported at multiple Maine swimming spots
PORTLAND (WGME) — Wednesday afternoon, Tassel Top Park officials posted on social media, reporting the beach was temporarily closed to swimming after routine testing found elevated levels of E. coli in the water.
Anna Goodnik, a visitor at the park, says she was disappointed to learn she could not swim.
“It’s a beautiful lake. I feel so sorry, it’s too bad this happened,” Goodnik said.
She says she drove from Portland to visit the park.
“Very sad because I came from Portland, I drove 40 minutes,” Goodnik said.
Goodnik says she has been coming to Tassel Top Park for 15 years and that while the park remained open, she was hoping to get in the water.
“The water is so smooth right now, I would just like to swim in it,” Goodnik said.
Raymond Town Manager Glenn Michalowski said in a statement that the Portland Water District provides weekly test results for 18 locations around Sebago Lake. Tassel Top Beach was closed for swimming because E. coli levels exceeded state water quality standards.
Michalowski said testing indicated the presence of waterfowl in the area, which can contribute to elevated bacterial levels. The statement also noted that high E. coli counts after rain events and in areas with waterfowl activity are a normal occurrence across Maine beaches and recreational water areas.
Ben Peierls, research director at the Lakes Environmental Association, says warmer water can lead to more bacterial growth.
“When water gets warmer, there’s more growth of bacteria,” Peierls said.
Peierls says E. coli can come from animals such as birds, dogs and other wildlife, or from human waste. He says this time of year can bring rain and runoff that carries contaminants into lakes.
“This time of year, there’s lot of rain and runoff materials coming into lakes, and it’s coming from sources where there may have been that fecal material, and it gets washed into lakes and it shows up in places people could be recreating,” Peierls said.
Tassel Top is not the only location reporting elevated bacteria levels. Ferry Beach in Scarborough and East End Beach in Portland also reported results above Maine’s safety threshold for enterococci in marine waters.
Town officials say Tassel Top Beach will reopen once retesting confirms the water has returned to safe levels, and residents will be notified when the closure is lifted. Swimming can resume once weekly testing confirms water quality is back within safe limits.
To check the status of all beaches in the state, click here.
Maine
Person hospitalized after shed fire in Harpswell
HARPSWELL (WGME) — The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office says a person was hospitalized after a shed fire Wednesday night.
Firefighters were called to 23 Smokehouse Road in Harpswell for a shed fire around 7 p.m.
Crews quickly put out the fire and kept it from spreading into the woods.
An unhoused person who had been living in the shed suffered burns and smoke inhalation.
They were taken to Maine Medical Center for treatment.
Investigators believe the fire may have been electrical in nature.
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The fire remains under investigation.
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