Houlton Regional Hospital nurses strike<\/b><\/p>\n
A four-day strike begins Tuesday at Houlton Regional Hospital.<\/span><\/p>\n According to the Maine State Nurses Association, registered nurses will protest management\u2019s refusal to acknowledge concerns over emergency department staffing.<\/span><\/p>\n MSNA tells Star 97.7 that it\u2019s impacted patient care drastically.<\/span><\/p>\n Just last year, the hospital closed the labor and delivery services unit leading to an agreement between the hospital and nurses which increased staffing at all times in the emergency department; however, with new management at hand, that agreement is not being honored.<\/span><\/p>\n The strike will take place at North St. and Putnam Avenue in Houlton.<\/span><\/p>\n Investigators reveal the cause of Mariaville fire<\/b><\/p>\n On Friday, the Mariaville Fire Department responded to a structure fire a little after 6 PM.<\/span><\/p>\n The Maine Department of Public Safety says upon arrival, firefighters were met with a fully engulfed structure with no occupants inside the home at the time of the incident.<\/span><\/p>\n After an investigation, authorities determined the fire started in the attached garage area and believe it may have been caused by a lithium-ion battery ruling it accidental.<\/span><\/p>\n No injuries were reported however two cats remain missing.<\/span><\/p>\n Match challenge to benefit Island Connections<\/b><\/p>\n Happening through Independence Day you can contribute to an essential service on Mount Desert Island and the outer islands.<\/span><\/p>\n Island Connections provides free transportation to older adults and people with disabilities in the region helping them get to critical appointments and address food insecurity.<\/span><\/p>\n Leaders have announced a Match Challenge fundraiser where all donations to Island Connections will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000 doubling the impact.<\/span><\/p>\n The board president says this is a critical time to give as they completed over 5,000 rides last year and are on track to break that record again.<\/span><\/p>\n To donate just follow the link below or call 207-288-4457.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/islconnections.org\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n New legislation could increase matching funds to rural hospitals<\/b><\/p>\n A program that provides an increase in Medicare matching funds could be extended.<\/span><\/p>\n Congressman Jared Golden introduced bipartisan legislation that could boost rural area hospitals including Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital in Ellsworth.<\/span><\/p>\n According to the Ellsworth American, the rural community hospital demonstration program reauthorization act pays Medicare reimbursements to rural hospitals based on actual cost instead of standard fixed rates.<\/span><\/p>\n The publication reports the only way a hospital could qualify is to be in a rural area, have less than 51 beds and not be a part of the critical access hospitals program.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.ellsworthamerican.com\/news\/health\/legislation-would-extend-rural-hospital-program\/article_b422ab61-4713-4445-8f30-a9ecd6d962eb.html<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Toned Out Project looking to improve mental wellbeing for first responders<\/b><\/p>\n In the wake of tragedies across the state, one local nonprofit is working to make sure all first responders know they are there for them.<\/span><\/p>\n Toned Out Project connects dispatchers, EMS, firefighters and police officers with private counseling and peer support training.<\/span><\/p>\n WABI news reports their work also ensures there\u2019s no cost barrier to what a first responder needs.<\/span><\/p>\n Leaders within the organization say in the wake of the death of Game Warden Pilot Joshua Tibbetts and the Robbins Lumber Mill deadly fire, they\u2019ve gotten an increase in requests so they encourage anyone in need to reach out.<\/span><\/p>\n