LEWISTON, ME (February 1, 2023) — The Woman’s Hospital Association (WHA) Rotating Art Gallery at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston is displaying the paintings of artist, Nancy Clark.

Born and raised in rural Maine, Clark draws boundless inspiration from the magnificent layered mountains, open fields, flowing rivers, sparkling ponds and wide-open horizon of the ever-moving ocean.

“My greatest artistic influence comes from Maine’s varied seascapes and their ever-changing and beautiful atmospheres. This current sea and sky series which focuses on the horizon line and the effects of changing light, sets the stage for contemplating distant spaces and its mysteries and callings. These images are inspired by reality, but are created by allowing the painting to lead the way to its own conclusion.”

The works on display may be purchased through the WHA Gift Shop located adjacent to the main lobby at Central Maine Medical Center. A percentage of sale proceeds benefits patients of CMMC.

‘The Dawn of a New Day’ by Nancy Clark

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 1, 2023)—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the incoming Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today that she secured a total of $863,382  for four projects intended to improve pedestrian safety across the state.  Maine set a tragic record of 21 pedestrian deaths in 2022. 

The funding was awarded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Senator Collins negotiated with 9 of her colleagues.  The law established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program, which aims to achieve zero deaths and serious injuries on our nation’s roadways.  

“Over the past several years, Maine has experienced record numbers of pedestrian deaths, which in many cases are the heartbreaking consequence of poor road designs,” said Senator Collins.  “By eliminating hazardous conditions for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists alike, we can help Mainers reach their homes and jobs safely and more quickly.  As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to strongly support these types of investments to improve Maine’s transportation network and help make travel safer for all road users.” 

The following four organizations and municipalities were allocated funding to improve roadway safety:

 The Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments received $200,000 for the Androscoggin Transportation Resource Center (ATRC) Corridor Improvement Study, which will focus on critical high-accident corridors like the Veterans Memorial Bridge corridor linking Auburn and Lewiston and the primary feeder arterials of Center Street in Auburn and Main Street in Lewiston.  Between 2016 and 2020, there were 31 motor-vehicle fatalities in the ATRC region, and during the same period, ten percent of the 2,592 injury-involved crashes within the region occurred within the proposed project corridor.

 The Greater Portland Council of Governments received $263,382 to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 

The Town of Bar Harbor received $200,000 to create a Comprehensive Transportation Action Plan to reduce regional roadway fatalities, vehicle accidents, and congestion, and to develop climate resilient infrastructure.  This plan is especially important as Acadia National Park annually welcomes more than 3.5 million people.  U.S. Route 1 and State Route 1—the gateway to Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park, and Bar Harbor— suffer a high-rate of roadway fatalities, with Hancock County as a whole experiencing 49 fatal accidents from 2016 to 2020.

 The City of Sanford and Village of Springvale received $200,000 to develop a comprehensive safety action plan.

STATE HOUSE (January 27, 2023) – Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) has introduced school choice legislation to address long-standing deficiencies that were highlighted over the last several years. LR 835- “An Act to Advance Educational Opportunities for All Students,” will target educational funds where they will best serve the unique needs of individual students by creating Educational Opportunity Accounts (EOAs). Parents will be able to decide how to spend available funds; including private school tuition, tuition at career or technical schools and online learning programs, tutors, among other options.

Maine schools are currently ranked 28th in the nation, illustrating the need to address our educational deficiencies and encourage our students to thrive. Multiple states have embraced school choice as the solution over the last few years, with legislation passing in Arizona and New Hampshire. Most recently, on Tuesday, Iowa’s governor signed into a law a broad school choice proposal, coinciding with National School Choice Week. School choice legislation is pending in many other states, sweeping the nation as parents across the US wake up to the fact that they, not unelected bureaucrats, should be the ultimate arbiters of their child’s education.

“School choice puts education funds to work wherever they best serve the individual student, rather than mandating that taxpayer funds can only be used at government-run schools,” said Rep. Libby. “We should empower Maine parents to decide how best to use their tax dollars to address the individual educational needs of their children. The solution I am proposing has been successful in other states and we have those models that can be followed and improved upon here in Maine. It’s time we focus on meeting individual students’ and families’ needs, instead of prioritizing a system that is failing many of our students.”

LR 835, when released, will be referred to a legislative committee of jurisdiction that will schedule a public hearing. Interested parents are encouraged to contact Rep. Libby at: laurel.libby@legislature.maine.gov for more information.

LEWISTON, ME (January 5, 2023) – Geiger, the world’s largest privately held and family-owned promotional products distributor, has acquired Incentives by Design, a Washington-based branded merchandise company. The acquisition was finalized and effective today, January 5, 2023.

Geiger will retain all employees and the business will now operate under the name “Incentives by Design, a Geiger company.”

“Incentives by Design is known throughout the industry for providing outstanding customer service,” said Geiger Chief Revenue Officer Chris McKee. “When we look at potential acquisitions, finding an organization with a customer-first mentality is a must-have. As we continue to grow, we are doing so in a way that only further improves our customers’ experience. We are thrilled to welcome them to the Geiger family and are confident we’ll be even more successful together.”

Located in Tukwila, Washington, Incentives by Design was founded in 1990 by cousins Bill and Rich Hirshberg, both currently serving as principals of the company.

“We are delighted to now be working with Geiger, a longtime leader in the promotional products industry,” said Rich Hirshberg. “With the power of Geiger behind us, we look forward to reaching new heights while supporting our ever-growing list of customers in the Pacific Northwest and across the country.”

In addition to promotional items, Incentives by Design specializes in safety and workwear, golf attire and accessories, and school uniforms and sportswear.

(L-R) Geiger West Coast Regional VP Sarabeth Anderson, Incentives by Design Principal Rich Hirshberg, Incentives by Design Principal Bill Hirshberg, Geiger Chief Revenue Officer Chris McKee

LEWISTON, ME (January 27, 2023) — Lacey Fogg, a registered nurse at Central Maine Medical Center, has been chosen to receive the DAISY Award. The DAISY Award is part of an international recognition program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinarily compassionate and skillful care nurses give their patients every day.

Lacey was nominated by Stephanie Mergenthaler, the daughter of one of Lacey’s patients. In her nomination letter, Stephanie highlighted the special attention Lacey gave to her mother following complicated surgery.

“Mom was relieved to see Lacey and immediately felt comfortable and confident in Lacey’s care. Lacey was so attentive and never gave mom or the family the feeling of stress or being rushed, even though we know she had other patients to care for,” Mergenthaler said.

“To say I’m proud of Lacey is an understatement,” said Kris Chaisson, BSN, MS, RN CCRN, senior vice president, chief nursing officer, Central Maine Healthcare. “She is an inspiration to all of us. I hope this award serves as a reminder to every Central Maine Healthcare nurse that the work you do makes a difference in the lives of our patients and the overall quality of life in our communities.”

Below: DAISY award winner, Lacey Fogg, RN

LEWISTON, ME (January 27, 2023) – Lewiston Mayor Carl L. Sheline is seeking at least two citizen volunteers to serve as members of the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Review Committee. The work of the CDBG Committee is to assist the City in developing the specific goals and objectives for the CDBG Consolidated Plan and to annually review and score CDBG funding requests in order to make a recommendation to the City Council for funding. 

Lewiston citizens who are interested in applying must be of low/moderate income and reside in the downtown area in Census Tracks 201-204.  The attached map outlines which neighborhoods are included in these tracks. 

Interested volunteers may contact the City Clerk’s Department to complete a committee application, and the application form is also available on the City’s website at www.lewistonmaine.gov/boardservice for electronic submission.  Applications may be submitted at any time and will be accepted until the positions are filled. 

Residents are welcome to contact the City Clerk’s Department at 513-3124 with any questions they may have regarding the committee appointment process.  Completed applications shall be submitted to the City Clerk’s Department for processing. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:00pm.