PORTLAND, Maine — An Army health expert told a panel investigating a mass shooting by a reservist who was experiencing a psychiatric breakdown that there are limitations in health care coverage for reservists compared to full-time soldiers.

There are no Army hospitals in New England and reservists generally don’t qualify for care through Veterans Administration hospitals, so they’re likely to utilize private health care — but such providers are barred from sharing information with the Army command structure, said Col. Mark Ochoa, command surgeon from the U.S. Army Reserve Command, which oversees the Psychological Health Program.

Gaps in communication could leave the commander who bears ultimate responsibility for the safety and well-being of soldiers without a full picture of their overall health, his testimony suggested.

Ochoa couldn’t speak to the specifics of the 40-year-old gunman, Robert Card, who killed 18 people and injured 13 others in October in Lewiston, but he gave an overview of services available to soldiers and their families in a crisis.

While there are extensive services available, the Psychological Health Program cannot mandate that a reservist get treatment — only a commander can do that — and Ochoa noted that there can be communication breakdowns. He also acknowledged that soldiers are sometimes reluctant to seek treatment for fear that a record of mental health treatment will hurt their careers.

“Hopefully we’ve demonstrated to the public and to ourselves that this is a complicated and complex process,” Daniel Wathen, the commission’s chair and a former chief justice for the state, said when the session concluded.

The independent commission established by the governor is investigating facts surrounding the shooting at a bowling alley and at a bar and grill. Card’s body was found two days after the shooting. An autopsy concluded he died by suicide.

The gunman’s family and fellow Army reservists told police Card was suffering from growing paranoia in the months leading up to the shooting. He was hospitalized during a psychiatric breakdown at a military training last summer in upstate New York. One reservist, Sean Hodgson, told superiors in September, a few weeks before the attacks: “I believe he’s going to snap and do a mass shooting.”

In the aftermath, the state Legislature passed new gun laws that bolstered Maine’s “yellow flag” law, which criminalized the transfer of guns to people prohibited from ownership, and expanded funding for mental health crisis care.

The commission intends to release its final report this summer.

In a preliminary report, the panel was critical of the police handling of removal of Card’s weapons. It faulted police for giving Card’s family the responsibility to take away his weapons — concluding police should have handled the matter — and said police had authority under the yellow flag law to take him into protective custody.

Mental health experts have said most people with mental illness are not violent, they are far more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators, and access to firearms is a big part of the problem.

Lagers clink at Argenta Brewing Co. Photo by Amanda Bizzaro

With all due respect to our region’s countless distinguished IPAs and other ales, for some lovers of craft beers, it’s time for a change. A trend that’s been slowly brewing for the past several years is taking off in popularity. Now ready for its close-up: Craft lagers.

And that “slowly brewing” is meant literally. Because lagers take almost twice as much time to create (and need both additional refrigeration and a far larger amount of yeast), it’s little wonder that many brewers have instead focused their attention on other, less time-intensive styles. But as these fresh and bright flavors have caught on among more than macrobrew drinkers – particularly as the weather warms up this time of year – more Maine brewers are seeing little reason not to pour some creative and delicious craft lager styles. Here’s where to find some of the best.

ARGENTA BREWERY

This new “lager saloon” in Bayside is a must-stop all season – and its dog-friendly patio outfitted with fire pits is an ideal hang space. Don’t miss the Black Lager, a chocolatey brew with rich notes, or the Generic American Lager, appreciated for its smoothness and lightness. Equally refreshing is the clean and dry Rice Lager.

82 Hanover St., Suite 6, Portland, 775-315-1409, 2-9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. argentabrewingcompany.com  

SACRED PROFANE

Whether you’re catching a pint before a concert at the lager-centric brewery’s new second location at Thompson’s Point or meeting friends at the original space in Biddeford, buckle up for some nontraditional beers lagered in horizontal tanks that are open-fermented. Sacred Profane’s two primary offerings – Dark and Pale – are made with care and expertise by co-owners Brienne Allen and Michael Fava.

Dark Lagers lined up at Sacred Profane. Photo courtesy of Sacred Profane

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There’s also an Amber Lager – a blend of the Pale (70%) and Dark (30%) – that’s available periodically at the Biddeford location and is always on draft at the Thompson’s Point location. Keep an eye out this fall for it to be available in cans.

28 Resurgam Place, Portland; 3-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

50 Washington St., Biddeford, 3-9 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, 207-272-1136. sacredprofane.com

BISSELL BROTHERS

Beloved for its freewheeling vibe and dedication to philanthropic efforts around Maine, Bissell Brothers also happens to turn out some extremely finely crafted lagers. Give the Wet Hop Lager a whirl; it’s a pale version brewed entirely with fresh Cascade hops from The Hop Yard farm in Gorham.

38 Resurgam Place, Portland, 207-808-8258; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

167 Elm St., Milo, 207-943-9190; 3-8 p.m. Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. bissellbrothers.com

BATSON RIVER

With locations in Portland, Kennebunk, Biddeford and Wells, all of the highly decorated outposts (chic hunting lodge is the general theme) pour lagers like Acadian Skies, a rich Schwarbier-style dark lager that comes with hints of roasted barley and a crisp, clean finish.

Flagship location: 12 Western Ave., Kennebunk, 207-967-8821; 4-9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. batsonriver.com

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The fall presidential campaign season heated up Wednesday in Augusta with the formation of a new group aimed at urging older Mainers to support President Joe Biden.

The Seniors for Biden-Harris coalition will target a key demographic and important voting bloc in Maine with messaging around Social Security and Medicare.

“We’re here today because I, like so many, am deeply concerned about Donald Trump’s attacks on Social Security,” Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli (D-Arrowsic) said.

She said Trump proposed cuts to Social Security while president and that she’s concerned about what a second Trump term would do to the program.

In response, Karoline Leavitt, Trump Campaign National Press Secretary said, “President Trump delivered on his promise to protect Social Security and Medicare in his first term, and President Trump will continue to strongly protect Social Security and Medicare in his second term.” She added, “President Trump will quickly rebuild the greatest economy in history, protect seniors, and put Social Security and Medicare on a stronger footing for generations to come.”

The back-and-forth is just a preview of coming attractions for a campaign season likely to be filled with attack ads, glossy mailers and spirited debate about the future of the country.

In fact, a poll released Wednesday shows 55% of Mainers believe the country is on the wrong track, with just 11% choosing “right direction,” according to Critical Insights. The remainder chose “not sure” or “mixed.”

The announcement of the new coalition followed Tuesday’s primary election in which Mainers chose candidates for the state’s two congressional seats and dozens of state legislative posts.

The presidential contest between Biden and Trump is the marquee race across the country, but in Maine, voters will decide other key matchups as well.

That includes deciding whether to reelect Sen. Angus King, an independent seeking a third term. He’s facing three challengers — Republican Demi Kouzounas, Democrat David Costello and independent Jason Cherry — for the right to represent Maine for six years in the upper federal chamber.

On Tuesday, Republicans chose Trump-backed former NASCAR driver Austin Theriault of Fort Kent to challenge U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat running for his third term.

In southern Maine, the GOP chose Ronald Russell as their nominee to take on U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat seeking her ninth term.

And while most legislative primaries turned out to be low key affairs, in Waterville, Democrat Cassie Julia defeated fellow Democrat Rep. Bruce White, who sought a fourth term in the Maine House.

In that race, abortion took center stage, with Planned Parenthood backing Julia because of White’s votes against the expansion of abortion rights over the last two years.

At the Seniors for Biden-Harris event on Wednesday, the Biden supporters warned of cuts to Social Security and Medicare, pointing to a CNN story in which Trump was quoted as saying “There is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting and in terms of also the theft and bad management of entitlements.”

CNN then quoted a Trump campaign spokeswoman as saying Trump was referring to cutting waste, not the entitlements themselves.

Biden supporter Rep. Bill Bridgeo (D-Augusta) said support for seniors is especially important in Maine, where one in five people are over 65 years old.

“Our seniors as parents, coworkers and neighbors have always had our backs,” he said. “We need to have theirs.”