|
|
|
The grass is brown and crinkly. Leaves are burnt and curling; some trees are already sporting fall colors. A brief rain shower feels like a relief, even if it barely wets the pavement.
We aren't in a drought yet: western Maine and a little more than 40 percent of the state are instead experiencing “abnormally dry” conditions, but the rest of the state is under what's known as a “flash drought” — different from a regular drought in that it can occur in as little as a few weeks.
Thankfully, we had a wet spring and early summer. Without much precipitation or even humidity on the horizon, however, things are likely to get drier before the autumn rains (hopefully) arrive. The Maine Forest Service has the entire state listed as “high” on its wildfire danger report, so please be careful out there.
In the links today we have Canadians still not showing up, planners worrying about extreme heat and lots of fire department-related news. Enjoy the sun and hope for rain.
One last thing: We are in the middle of our summer fundraising drive and we need to raise $50,000 to power our nonprofit, in-depth reporting. |
 |
|
The support of our readers is what makes this newsletter and all of our free-to-read reporting possible. |
| DONATE NOW |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Surge of rare tick-borne disease linked to warming climate
New England is warming faster than the rest of the world, which has correlated with a marked uptick in cases of tick-borne diseases, including Lyme, Anaplasmosis and babesiosis in Maine and throughout the Northeast.
Read this story by Chris D'Angelo of The Maine Monitor |
|
|
|
|
|
While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind paywalls, some newsrooms we link to in this newsletter may. |
|
A deputy fire chief in Gilead has been placed on leave after being arrested on an arson charge relating to a fire at his home in Gorham, New Hampshire. | Bethel Citizen
Farmington will use grant funding to support its fire department, ensuring an EMS provider is on duty every day over the next year. | Daily Bulldog
Almost 60 percent of the state is now in a moderate drought. | Portland Press Herald
Maine environmental researchers grapple with federal funding changes | The Maine Monitor
Canadian border crossings into the state continued to drop in July. | Maine Public
West Paris Water District lifted the boil order it imposed on Aug. 9 after a pump motor failed. A grant has been awarded to make further repairs. | Advertiser Democrat
With little guidance from the federal government, MaineCare recipients wonder if they’ll lose their insurance | The Maine Monitor
Emergency management agencies, including in Franklin County, are developing extreme heat plans as summers get warmer. | Maine Public
New Southern Baptist churches are being established in Westbrook, Orono and Richmond. Faith leaders see the lack of a historical foothold in the region as an opportunity for growth. | The Maine Monitor
Representatives of the developer of a $1 billion hydropower storage project met with the Dixfield Select Board this week. | Rumford Falls Times
The fire chief of Norway has apologized after posting a profane video on the department's Facebook page. | Advertiser Democrat |
 |
|
|
|
Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. If you have feedback or a tip that you want to send to Ben Hanstein directly email him at: benjamin@themainemonitor.org.
The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
