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York Police Department to Remove Flock License Plate Cameras Ahead of Voter Referendum

York Police Department to Remove Flock License Plate Cameras Ahead of Voter Referendum

The York Police Department in Maine is taking down its Flock license plate cameras, a decision announced by Police Chief Owen Davis at a recent select board meeting. This action comes weeks before York voters are scheduled to decide in November whether to permanently ban the technology. Chief Davis indicated that while most residents have not expressed concerns about the York Police Department's use of the cameras, there is broader apprehension regarding the technology and the company behind it. This move follows similar actions in other Maine communities, including South Portland, which removed its Flock cameras in June due to public pushback. The police chief stated his intention to remove the cameras immediately if there were no objections from citizens, board members, or the town manager.

Gretna Renews Policing Contract with Sarpy County Sheriff's Office for Three Years

Gretna Renews Policing Contract with Sarpy County Sheriff's Office for Three Years

The City of Gretna, Nebraska, has renewed its policing contract with the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office for an additional three years. This interlocal cooperation agreement, which extends through September 30, 2029, was approved during a recent city council meeting and will take effect on October 1st. Gretna has relied on the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office for policing services since disbanding its own police department in 1976. Sarpy County Sheriff Greg London stated that this arrangement has been successful for 50 years and offers significant cost savings for Gretna compared to establishing and operating its own police department, which he estimates would cost millions in startup expenses alone and would not provide the same range of secondary services.

Allegheny General Hospital Conducts Mass Casualty Drill with Actors to Enhance Emergency Preparedness

Allegheny General Hospital Conducts Mass Casualty Drill with Actors to Enhance Emergency Preparedness

Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh conducted a mass casualty simulation exercise involving up to 30 actors. The actors portrayed victims of a massive boat crash caused by a drunk driver, providing a realistic scenario for the hospital staff. Kathy Sikora, director of emergency services at Allegheny General Hospital, emphasized the importance of exposing staff to such high-volume incidents to assess their reactions and performance. The hospital regularly conducts drills, including simulations for mass shootings before the NFL Draft and mass chemical exposures, but this was their first time simulating a boating accident. During the drill, a transcription service was utilized to record interactions and evaluate the hospital's response, serving as a crucial assessment tool. Sikora highlighted the invaluable contribution of the volunteer actors, stating that live victims with scripts make a significant difference compared to using dummies, providing a more authentic training experience.

Minneapolis Police Chief Search Advances as Candidate Review Begins

Minneapolis Police Chief Search Advances as Candidate Review Begins

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has launched a national search for a new police chief following the resignation of former Chief Brian O'Hara in May. The search process involves several stages, including community engagement sessions held across all five precincts of the city. These sessions aim to gather feedback from residents regarding their expectations for the new police chief. A nationally recognized firm has been enlisted to assist with the search. The process will also include interviews with community members and law enforcement professionals, who will then present a group of finalists to Mayor Frey. The mayor will conduct direct interviews with these finalists before making a nomination, which will then require confirmation by the city council. More than a dozen applications have already been received from candidates both within and outside Minnesota. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is slated to conduct an extensive background check on the final candidate to ensure their suitability for...

Calais City Council Votes to Pursue Financing for Armory Purchase

Calais City Council Votes to Pursue Financing for Armory Purchase

The Calais City Council has unanimously voted to allow City Manager Mike Ellis to solicit bids for financing to purchase the Calais Armory from the Maine National Guard. The city has been pursuing the property for several years, with the aim of relocating some municipal services, including the police department and city administration, to the building. The asking price for the armory is $578,000, slightly above its assessed value of $575,000. The Maine National Guard had initially decided to retain the armory but reversed its decision and offered it for sale to the city. The armory underwent extensive renovations in 2016 to improve energy efficiency and preparedness. Councilor Michael Sherrard expressed concerns about the purchase given recent property tax increases in Calais.

Maine Department of Transportation Temporarily Closes Ouellette Road in Cross Lake for Culvert Replacement

Maine Department of Transportation Temporarily Closes Ouellette Road in Cross Lake for Culvert Replacement

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has announced a temporary closure of Ouellette Road in Cross Lake, Maine, for up to 21 days. This closure is necessary for a large culvert replacement project involving the Sullimond Brook Bridge over West Fork Dickey Brook. The project site is located 0.91 miles north of Route 161. Drivers are advised to use a designated detour route, which involves taking Flat Mountain Road to Route 162/Main Street and then Sinclair Road to return to Route 161/Caribou Road. Detour signs have been put in place to guide motorists. The contractor for this project is Ed Pelletier & Sons of Madawaska, Maine, with a contract amount of $452,150.00. Work is anticipated to be completed by fall 2026.

Governor Mills Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Maine-Montenegro National Guard Partnership

Governor Mills Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Maine-Montenegro National Guard Partnership

Governor Janet Mills of Maine has arrived in Podgorica, Montenegro, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the National Guard State Partnership between Maine and Montenegro. She is accompanied by Maine Major General Diane Dunn. This partnership, established in 2006 through a bilateral affairs agreement involving the U.S. Department of Defense, the State of Maine, and the Government of Montenegro, links U.S. states and territories with other nations to foster collaboration in military, security, and disaster response capabilities. During her visit, Governor Mills and Major General Dunn are scheduled to meet with 30 Maine National Guardsmen participating in Common Challenge 2026, a multinational mountain training exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability, readiness, and cooperation among partner nations. They will also engage in bilateral discussions with Montenegrin government and defense leaders. The Governor's Office plans to release updates and photos from the visit, with Governor Mills expected to re...

Kemmerer Surveillance Cameras Spark Privacy Debate Amidst Misinformation

Kemmerer Surveillance Cameras Spark Privacy Debate Amidst Misinformation

The city of Kemmerer, Wyoming, is embroiled in a privacy debate following the installation of new surveillance cameras, which were mistakenly identified on social media as 'Flock cameras.' This misidentification led to public outcry and concerns about police surveillance and personal privacy. Kemmerer Police Chief Michael Kahre clarified that the cameras are standard surveillance devices, similar to those used by businesses and schools, and are not part of the Flock Safety system or equipped with automated license-plate reader technology. Mayor Robert Bowen stated that the city had already purchased the cameras and that they do not collect data, are not routinely monitored in real-time, and lack artificial intelligence or facial recognition capabilities. Town Attorney Jason Petri provided a legal opinion to the city council, asserting that the cameras do not violate residents' privacy rights, citing U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the expectation of privacy in public places. The cameras were funded by indu...

Maine Faces Significant Increase in Heating Oil Prices Ahead of Winter Season

Maine Faces Significant Increase in Heating Oil Prices Ahead of Winter Season

Maine is currently experiencing a substantial rise in heating oil prices, reaching an average statewide price of $5.39 as of September 8, marking the highest cost since April. This surge is attributed to ongoing global instability, specifically conflicts in Ukraine and the Persian Gulf, which are causing turmoil in international fossil fuel markets. Charlie Summers, CEO of the Maine Energy Marketers Association, noted that fuel is a global commodity highly reactive to market fluctuations. Maine is the most heating oil-dependent state in the U.S., with 50% of homes relying on fuel oil for primary heating, despite recent shifts towards alternatives like electric heat pumps and natural gas. Scott Thistle, spokesperson for Maine Housing, reported a 6% increase in applications for low-income heating assistance (LIHEAP) compared to the previous year. However, the rising oil prices mean that the assistance, typically set to cover about 100 gallons, will not go as far this winter for the approximately 40,000 homes...

Springfield News-Leader

How much are tariffs costing Missouri? See where the state ranks

How much are tariffs costing Missouri? See where the state ranks

A new report highlights how tariffs are affecting Missouri businesses, including which imported goods are generating the highest costs.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel

This is what Tennessee teachers love and hate about their jobs

This is what Tennessee teachers love and hate about their jobs

Nearly 6,000 educators were surveyed by the national K-12 news outlet last fall to understand how teachers are feeling. Here's what they said.

Mega Millions jackpot hits $227 million tonight

Mega Millions jackpot hits $227 million tonight

A $227 million Mega Millions jackpot is on the line Tuesday night. Check back after 11 p.m. ET for the winning numbers.