Articles by Meg Haskell
Low-cost catering service launched to offset losses in free Meals on Wheels
BANGOR, Maine — A popular free meals program for low-income senior citizens is struggling in central Maine, but a new paid catering service could help keep dinner on the table for those who need it most. For the past 45 years, the federally funded Meals on Wheels program has provided …
Three Maine women to receive Hartman award
ORONO, Maine — Three Maine women — Constance Carter of Orono, the Rev. Sue Davies of Veazie and Dr. Dora Anne Mills of Brunswick — will be honored Wednesday with this year’s Maryann Hartman award. Carter, 64, founded Operation Breaking Stereotypes to bring together middle- and high-school students in Maine …
State offers free household lead test for families of babies born in 2010
AUGUSTA, Maine — In recognition of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, health officials from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday they will provide a free home lead dust test kit to the parents of all children born in Maine in 2010. National Lead Poisoning Prevention …
CDC investigating case of ‘novel influenza virus of swine origin’ in Maine
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a human case in Cumberland County of “novel influenza virus of swine origin” — a new strain of flu associated with pigs. State Epidemiologist Stephen Sears said Thursday that a 7-year-old girl from Cumberland County became ill with flu-like symptoms …
Educated workers needed for health care jobs, LePage says
As Maine’s economy continues to struggle, state leaders say the health care sector remains strong and is expected to grow. At a conference on Tuesday, officials said training a qualified work force is the key to both meeting the growing demand for health care services in Maine and taking advantage …
Maine health group receives five-star Medicare Advantage rating
PORTLAND, Maine — A Portland-based health care organization is one of just nine companies nationwide to receive the highest possible ranking for its Medicare Advantage programs, according to data released on Wednesday by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The rating identifies Martin’s Point Health Care as the …
Bangor group tries to improve lives in Nicaragua with donation of medical supplies
BANGOR, Maine — On a recent sunny fall afternoon, inside a huge, echoing warehouse on outer Hammond Street, warehouse manager Paul Currier was preparing to pack up a mammogram machine and ship it to a hospital in Nicaragua. The gleaming piece of equipment weighs several hundred pounds and was swaddled …
Bangor woman showed up at police station bail check with drugs in her purse, authorities say
BANGOR, Maine — A local woman recently arrested on a Class A felony charge of aggravated trafficking in the synthetic drug known as bath salts is back in jail after showing up at the police station late Saturday night carrying illicit prescription drugs in her purse as well as powdery …
Bangor area teens write, direct and star in new film about mental health
HERMON, Maine — It was a picture-perfect Columbus Day weekend, weatherwise. But instead of hanging out with their friends or taking end-of-the-season trips with their families, dozens of area high school students spent the weekend working on a project they hope will change the lives of teens struggling with anxiety, …
Reported gas leak at UMaine deemed false alarm
ORONO, Maine — University of Maine police and Orono fire officials attributed a toxic gas alarm at Barrows Hall to be an alarm malfunction. Hazardous materials specialists from the Orono Fire Department were called to Barrows Hall, an engineering and sciences building on the campus of the University of Maine, …
Local micro-businesses peddle their wares at Maine Marketplace in Bangor Mall
BANGOR, Maine — Turns out, the hula hoop is not all that tricky to master. “Hold it up against your back and give it a good, hard spin,” said Kelly Tingley, maker of Hardcore Hoops, coaching a skeptical middle-aged shopper. “After that, you just rock back and forth to keep …
Fire destroys mobile home in Garland
GARLAND, Maine — A fire destroyed a mobile home on Avenue Road early Saturday morning. Garland Fire Chief Henry Burrill said emergency crews were notified at about 4:15 a.m. The fire, which apparently started when the homeowner knocked over a kerosene heater, destroyed the mobile home and a wooden addition. …
How should Bangor keep mentally ill, addicts out of jail?
BANGOR, Maine — People suffering from mental illness and substance abuse who serve jail time for criminal activities too often are released into society without the support they need to keep themselves out of trouble, according to Carol Carothers, director of the Maine chapter of the National Alliance on Mental …
Friends for life: Senior Companion program marks 30 years in Maine
MADISON, Maine — It is hard to say who gets more out of the arrangement, the elderly volunteers or the elderly clients they befriend. And that’s really the point of the Senior Companion program, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary serving the people of Maine. The program connects volunteers, …
Insurance whistle-blower Potter speaks in support of Obama health reforms
HALLOWELL, Maine — The Obama administration’s heath care overhaul isn’t making everyone happy, but health insurance industry whistle-blower Wendell Potter says it’s an important step in the right direction. Potter told a coalition of liberal-leaning advocacy groups and policy organizations on Wednesday that supporters of the Affordable Care Act must …
Maine gets a B for hospital comfort care
BANGOR, Maine — Many people are unfamiliar with the term “palliative care,” but a new national report suggests that it is becoming an essential component of the U.S. health care system and that more and more Americans soon will come to appreciate the services it provides. In a study released …
Shortage of health care providers prompts Maine schools to place students in rural clinics
BAR HARBOR, Maine — Like much of the rest of the nation, Maine faces a critical shortage of doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and other health care providers. On Friday, at a conference appropriately titled “Growing Our Own,” state officials and health professionals explored ideas for attracting young Mainers into health …
Bangor man living with effects of polio still using iron lung: ‘This is just so comfortable for me’
BANGOR, Maine — When Tropical Storm Irene blustered through Bangor last month, many folks took precautions in case they lost electricity. Some stocked up on water for drinking or propane for their outdoor grills. Others made sure they had extra batteries on hand and took a flashlight with them when …
‘Healing of America’ author T.R. Reid to lead discussion series in November
The crisis in the nation’s health care system is affecting everyone. People are losing insurance coverage. They wait months to see a provider. They seek basic care in hospital emergency rooms, forgo preventive screenings and suffer from high rates of medical errors, injuries and infections. Most people agree there’s a …
Around the state
Feds evaluate MaineCare billing system
The Portland Press Herald reports on this week’s federal inspection of Maine’s new computer billing and data-tracking system for MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program. The system has been in development since 2005, when an untried system known as the Maine Claims Management System, or MECMS, came on line and immediately …
University of Maine System eliminating 165 positions, maybe more under state budget proposal
Terrorism not ruled out in disappearance of Malaysia Airlines jet with 239 aboard
After record year of sales, LL Bean announces biggest expansion in company history
Winter visit with friends living off the grid filled with welcome solitude, nature’s beauty
Legislative committee tables bill deemed critical to East Millinocket paper mill’s future
Bumper cars
‘A lot of factors’ lead to Herbine stepping down as Bangor High girls basketball coach
Jason Harvey draws from playing experience, past coaches to put Husson’s baseball program on top
McAuley’s Allie Clement, Bonny Eagle’s Dustin Cole receive state’s Miss, Mr. Basketball awards
Black Bears host Merrimack in do-or-die playoff game Saturday night
Clement sparks West A/B girls by East at McDonald’s senior games; each region wins two games
CSA – What?
Amber waves of espresso
Pussy willows galore