Maine CDC director opposes psilocybin mushroom legalization
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is opposed to the legalization of psilocybin mushrooms for treatment of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Nirav Shah’s written testimony issued Tuesday urges lawmakers to wait until clinical guidelines are established and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gives psilocybin full approval as a treatment before taking action in Maine. The FDA designated psilocybin as a breakthrough treatment for drug-resistant depression in 2018 and for major depressive disorder in 2019.
Animal welfare agents seize cats from woman — again
WALES, Maine (AP) — Animal welfare officials have seized more than 60 cats from a woman who was subject of a seizure of her cats three years ago. Animal welfare agents, who counted 63 live cats and 31 dead cats, described horrific conditions in the home in Wales. WGME-TV reports that a Department of Health and Human Services worker reported the conditions after visiting the house. Concern over the cats’ medical care drove the state to take away 83 cats and kittens in November 2019. But most of them were later returned by a judge.
Colby College takes ownership of two Maine islands
WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) — Officials with Colby College say the school has taken over stewardship of two islands off the coast of Maine. Colby officials said Thursday the Waterville college now owns Allen Island and Benner Island. They said the school acquired the islands from Up East Foundation and the Wyeth Foundation for American Art. A Colby spokesperson said the school paid $2 million for the islands, which are valued at more than $10 million. The spokesperson says the rest was contributed as an in-kind gift by the foundations. The school says the acquisition will allow Colby to create an island campus.
Former Sen. Saviello says he won’t run for governor
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A former lawmaker who battled against an electric transmission line in western Maine won’t be running for governor. Former state Sen. Tom Saviello said in a statement that he was tired of party politics and fearful of playing the role of spoiler. At 71, he also said he was too old, though Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and her Republican challenger, former Gov. Paul LePage, are both older. The announcement, on Wednesday, removes from the race a high-profile politician who has been an independent as well as a member of the Democratic and Republican parties.
Omicron could be fading in Maine as hospitalizations lower
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s top public health officials says the omicron variant of COVID-19 could be waning in the state, where hospitalizations are declining. Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Nirav Shah said on Wednesday that Maine has 83 people in intensive care units, down 19 from two weeks ago. The state also had 261 people hospitalized without the need for an ICU bed, and that was down from 309 two weeks ago. Shah says the steady reduction in hospitalized patients has somewhat reduced the strain on hospitals in the state.
MAINE GOVERNOR-UTILITY BILL
Maine governor wants to clamp down on electric utilities
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Janet Mills is introducing a bill to clamp down on electric utility performance with penalties that could include a forced dismantling and sale of assets. Mills said Wednesday the state currently doesn’t have the tools for holding utilities accountable. She said it’s time for a new approach. The proposal could emerge as an alternative to a referendum drive calling for the creation of a consumer-owned utility to replace Central Maine Power and Versant Power. Her bill includes that as a possibility but only for utilities that “consistently fail to meet the requirements” set forth by regulators. CMP said the bill is unnecessary.
CHILD DEATHS-INCREASE
New data shows increased number of child deaths in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Department of Health and Human Services says that child deaths increased last year, making 2021 the highest recorded number of deaths in the state dating back to 2007. The Bangor Daily News reported Wednesday that updated data released last week from an annual DHHS report said that 25 children died in incidents that the state recorded were associated with abuse or neglect or after a history of family involvement with the child welfare system. A DHHS spokesperson said that the issues the department faced in 2020 continued into the second year of the pandemic. The state said it released the report to be transparent about child deaths.
TREE FARMER KILLED
Maine man not criminally responsible for killing tree farmer
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A judge has accepted the defense contention that a man accused of killing a Christmas tree farmer in a random attack was not criminally responsible for his actions because of mental illness. Quinton Hanna, of Freeport, entered the plea on Wednesday. He was was charged with fatally stabbing 82-year-old James Pearson in front of his Scarborough home in 2019, assaulting a woman in West Bath, stabbing a man in Freeport, and other crimes. The director of the Maine State Forensic Service testified Hanna suffered from schizophrenia and was experiencing a break from reality.
AP-US-WINTER-WEATHER
Winter storm packing snow, freezing rain moves across US
CHICAGO (AP) — A winter storm is bringing a mix of rain, freezing rain and snow to the central U.S. Airlines canceled thousands of flights, officials are urging people to stay off roads and schools are closed. Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan are seeing freezing rain, sleet and snow. The heaviest snow is expected in Indiana and Illinois. The central Illinois town of Lewiston has already gotten more than a foot of snow and the northeastern Missouri city of Hannibal has nearly a foot. Significant ice accumulation is expected in an area from Louisville, Kentucky, to Memphis, Tennessee.
TURNPIKE TOLLS
Change in the air: Maine Turnpike looks at cash-free tolls
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Change is in the air, and it’s leaving the toll booths. That’s because the Maine Turnpike Authority is looking to go cashless. Highway officials in the state tell the Portland Press Herald on Wednesday they are looking at electronic collection systems. Turnpike Authority Executive Director Peter Mills tells the Press Herald the authority is taking less cash at toll booths because of more and more drivers adopting E-ZPass. Cash tolls made up more than three-quarters of the turnpike’s revenue 20 years ago. That number fell to 15% last year.