Maine
Maine EMS celebrates the 50th National EMS Week
AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – May 19-25, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of National EMS Week. This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Past, Forging Our Future.”
Friends of Maine for EMS, EMS professionals, and state lawmakers gathered in Augusta Thursday at the Maine EMS Memorial and Education site for a tribute to those in emergency medical services.
Every aspect of the EMS system was represented.
“It certainly does remind us of the need to acknowledge the foundational work of those who came before us while also striving to build and lead the EMS system we envision for our future,” Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross told those in attendance.
Over the past decades, Maine has experienced the loss of EMS providers in the line of duty.
Eight EMS community members were honored Thursday.
Maine EMS has come a long way in 50 years, but Friends of EMS for Maine, which was founded in 2019, says more work needs to be done to support those who care for us.
“We are in trouble as a system. There is no question about it,” said Kevin McGinnis, President of Friends of EMS for Maine.
In addition, lawmakers spoke about this essential service we often take for granted.
“The time and commitment that you put in for the training and the time away from your families, it doesn’t go unnoticed,” said Senate President Troy Jackson.
In 2022, the state legislature established the Blue Ribbon Commission to help learn more about the challenges EMS professionals face and how to address those.
In February 2024, the commission issued its final report with recommendations to provide more funding for EMS, increase MaineCare reimbursement rates for ambulance services, among others.
Members say progress has been made, but not enough.
“This session ended with some work of the Blue Ribbon Commission being lost. We will not stand for that,” said Rep. Suzanne Salisbury, D-Westbrook, a member of the EMS Blue Ribbon Commission. “We will come back in the next session and bring that work back. The time for action is now. We will not slow down. Lives depend on it.”
“Everyone in our towns must know the essentialness of your service and that it costs,” said Sen. Chip Curry, D-Waldo, co-chair of the EMS Blue Ribbon Commission.
“We made long overdue investments in this system, and I know it is just a start but with these great people we’re going to continue to send a strong signal of what is to come and what’s needed,” Jackson added.
Copyright 2024 WABI. All rights reserved.
Maine
Northern lights could be visible in Maine on Christmas night. How to look for them
Time lapse video: Northern lights near Milwaukee, Wisconsin
See a time lapse video of the northern lights dance across the sky north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in Bayside on Thursday night.
Parts of the United States could be in for a magical Christmas sight: The Northern Lights.
Alaska and the northern Midwest states have the best chance of getting a glimpse of the dazzling sights, but the northern most reaches of New England may see it too, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. Based on maps they released, Maine has the best chance of seeing it tonight.
It’s possible more New England states will get a view of the Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, tomorrow night when the view line dips down into Vermont and New Hampshire.
Map of where Northern Lights may be visible on Christmas 2024
Map: Where Northern Lights may be visible tomorrow
Christmas won’t be the only shot at seeing the Northern Lights from this storm. NOAA is predicting a broader swath will be able to see the Northern Lights tomorrow night, including parts of New Hampshire and Vermont.
How to see the northern lights
The best time to see an aurora is when it’s dark out, usually between an hour or two of midnight, according to NOAA. Officials recommend getting away from city lights and sticking to lower latitudes.
“There may be aurora in the evening and morning but it is usually not as active and therefore, not as visually appealing,” NOAA said.
Where to check the northern lights forecast
To track the latest northern lights forecast, check out these websites:
Are the northern lights dangerous?
The solar storms that cause the northern lights can affect technology by inducing extra currents in the ground that can degrade power grid operations, according to NOAA.
Maine
Funeral home to hold visitation for Maine singer-songwriter
DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine (WABI) – Visitation for a popular Maine singer and songwriter who died earlier this month will be held in Dover-Foxcroft next week.
Lary Funeral Home announced that visitation for David Mallett, a Piscataquis County native, will be held Monday, December 30th from 4PM to 7PM.
Mallet died at the age of 73 on December 17th after battling cancer.
The funeral homes announcement said that family, friends, and the local community are invited.
Mallett began his music career at the age of 11 when he started singing in a folk duo with his older brother, Neil.
He started writing his own songs while studying acting at the University of Maine.
His most well-known song was “The Garden Song” which was recorded by Peter, Paul, and Mary, John Denver, Pete Seeger, and The Muppets.
Mallett lived most of his life in Sebec.
Copyright 2024 WABI. All rights reserved.
Maine
Snowfall totals in Maine range from a dusting to 5 inches Tuesday morning
Parts of Maine were reporting a snowy Christmas on Tuesday.
As of 11:30 a.m., the National Weather Service said 6 inches of snow had fallen in Rangeley, 5 inches in Madrid, 1 inch in Freeport, 3 inches in Lewiston and as many as 8 inches in nearby Jackson, New Hampshire.
Portland received only a dusting of snow.
Jon Palmer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray, said forecasters expected precipitation to slow down in inland areas through Tuesday morning but said snowfall would continue up and down the coast with 1-3 inches expected from Portland through the Midcoast.
Palmer said Christmas Day would be “a pretty nice day” in Maine.
He said the day would start off mostly clear with some clouds building in the middle of the day all around the state. Temperatures are expected to be in the low 30s.
The forecast is expected to stay until Sunday, when 1 to 2 inches of rain will likely fall around the state. Although, he said, there could still be snow in the White Mountains.
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