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Thursday is Local News Day, the first of what local news supporters and practitioners anticipate will become an annual day of action in support and celebration of local news.

That’s what we do here, at Monitor Local. Our focus is local news, reporting on municipal, city, county and school district expenditures and policies that affect your families and really matter in your communities. 

This week, we have a story from freelance writer Charley DiAdamo about Waterville’s partnership with Bram Public Policy Lab at Colby College to study the efficacy of paramedicine. The city already has a paramedicine program, with services available three days a week, but researchers and city officials are looking at possible ways to expand the service using grant funding.

It’s a program designed to save lives and tax dollars, and one that Bram lab director Nicholas Jacobs says could make Waterville a health care leader in the region.

That’s good news for Waterville residents, and even better news if Waterville’s model is adopted in other communities.

We love the idea of establishing a specific Local News Day on the calendar to connect with trusted local news sources and support the work of local journalists, but we know that every day is a local news day for our readers and we’re thankful for your support.

If you’re enjoying this newsletter, we hope you’ll share it with family members and friends. They can sign up on our website to have it delivered to their own inbox each Saturday.

RSU 73 budget clears first of two voter hurdles: Voters in Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls are expected to make the final decision on the $27 million budget at the polls April 28. Read this story by Bob Neal

RSU 9 draft budget proposes 1.5 percent spending increase: The draft budget eliminates five teaching positions now held by staff members who are retiring or otherwise leaving the Mt. Blue Regional School District at the end of the year. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

Straw poll of Wilton voters favors Wilton-Jay police merger: The question of whether to merge the Jay and Wilton police departments could come before voters as soon as the June 9 primary. Read this story by Bob Neal

Bram Public Policy Lab at Colby College collaborates with Waterville to study effectiveness of paramedicine program: Researchers say that for every five 911 calls, the city could save money if paramedicine responds to at least two of them. Read this story by Charley DiAdamo

Recount in Farmington school board election yields a new winner: The issue centered on voter intent. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

New Vineyard voters elect selectman, approve ordinance changes at annual town meeting: Voters approved new transfer station hours and amended an ordinance to let the town’s code enforcement officer issue building permits. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind paywalls, some newsrooms we link to in this newsletter may. 

Norway residents approved a moratorium on mobile home lot rent increases at a special town meeting held earlier this week | Advertiser Democrat

New data shows Maine has yet to spend nearly two-thirds of its opioid settlement funds four years after payments began | The Maine Monitor

The school board of RSU 56 in Dixfield is working on a $16 million budget, representing a 6 percent increase | Rumford Falls Times

Older Mainers Act would help rural residents 'age in place' | Public News Service

Maine electric ratepayers could get refunds for 15 years of overpaying for power transmission | Maine Public

Maine Air Force veteran restores historic building for affordable housing in Skowhegan | News Center Maine

Amazon distribution center plans draw questions, concerns from Waterville and Sidney residents | Morning Sentinel

Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court is looking at ranked-choice voting again, amid a push to have it apply to the gubernatorial elections | Maine Public

A private equity group will buy the company that runs 11 nursing facilities in Maine, including ones in Farmington, Skowhegan and Waterville | Sun Journal

Maine lawmakers are moving forward with a supplemental budget that includes $300 relief checks, investments in health, housing and education, as well as a tax on millionaires | News Center Maine

A study group is looking at running a Rangeley-based ambulance service | Rangeley Highlander

A contractor of FedEx that served portions of southern and western Maine is shutting down | WMTW

RSU 9 in Farmington is supporting more than 50 students experiencing homelessness or housing instability | Franklin Journal

Janet Mills says she'll back 'millionaires tax' in Democrats' budget plan | Maine Public

A fast-growing Maine community resists the idea of becoming a town again | The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News

Maine farmers are urging grocery stores to buy local produce | WMTW

The town of Mexico closed its police department in 2024, with many lauding the service provided by the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office | WGME

Wabanaki tribes challenge Oxford Casino’s iGaming lawsuit | Portland Press Herald

New CEO named at Central Maine Healthcare following acquisition by Prime Healthcare Foundation | Maine Public

Maine’s “Right to Food” will add hunting and fishing protections if state lawmakers get their way | Maine Public

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can reach Monitor Local editor Judy Meyer directly via email: judy@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.

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