Press Herald
Snow fell in waves across southern Maine this weekend and continued into Monday. The weather resulted in multiple motor vehicle crashes over the long weekend, including a fatal one in Falmouth on Saturday and another that brought down power lines in Alfred on Monday morning. Forecasters say parts of Maine could see scattered snow showers midweek, with frigid temperatures returning by the weekend.
Maine’s new red flag law is set to take effect on Feb. 21, offering a new way to temporarily remove guns from people who appear to be suicidal or pose a risk of harm to others. With about a month remaining before the law takes effect, details on exactly how the state is preparing law enforcement agencies, judges, and the public for the new process are limited, and how it will work alongside Maine’s preexisting yellow flag law remain to be seen.
One in five long-term nursing home residents in Maine is still receiving antipsychotic medications, despite statewide efforts to reduce reliance on these medications, which can come with health risks for older adults. After reducing the rate of using antipsychotic medication from 27% of long-term stay residents in 2011 to 17% in 2017, Maine’s rate has climbed back to 20% as of 2024 — higher than the national average of 14.7%.