Drug deaths continue record pace through first nine months of 2015

12/30/2015 04:18 PM EST

 

 

AUGUSTA -Maine Attorney General Janet T. Mills and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner have released drug overdose statistics for the first nine months of 2015. The numbers paint a dire picture of Maine's opioid crisis. From January through September of 2015, deaths attributable to drug overdoses stood at 174. The state is on pace to reach between 230 and 250 overdose deaths this year. In 2014, there were a record 208 overdose deaths.

"Maine's opioid epidemic continues to rage," said Attorney General Mills. "This problem seems to have the attention of everyone but the users. I am heartened by the response I have seen from leaders in our state who all want to solve this problem. In recent days the police have taken major actions to disrupt the supply of heroin and other opiates into our state and to protect our citizenry from those who would sell it. We can and must do more. We must also begin the long effort of curbing the demand for these deadly substances by educating people of the dangers and supporting people in recovery from addiction."

Of the deaths in the first nine months of 2015, 113 (65%) involved at least one pharmaceutical drug and 111 (64%) involved at least one illicit drug. Many of these deaths (29%) were caused by a combination of pharmaceutical and illicit drugs. Pharmaceutical opioids remain a key substance category, with 70 deaths (40%) caused by at least one pharmaceutical opioid. Heroin and Fentanyl are increasingly named as a cause of death, with 71 (41%) deaths caused by heroin and 54 (31%) caused by fentanyl or acetyl fentanyl. In 74% of all the cases, multiple drugs are listed as a cause of death.

American Legion Post 214 holds Monthly Spaghetti Supper, January 9, 2016 in Lebanon.

 

The Monthly Spaghetti Supper

of the

Lebanon American Legion post 214

will be held at the

First Parish Congregational Church

on Center Road in Lebanon

Saturday, January 9, 2016

from 4:30 - 6:30 pm

$7 per person, Kids under 10 eat FREE

 

Typical Menu

Spaghetti

Garlic Bread

Fresh Salad

Hotdogs and Beans

and a variety of

Homemade Baked Goods

 

 

Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Offers "Becoming an Outdoor Woman" Course in January 2016

The Becoming an Outdoors Woman program offers workshops for women who are 18 or older to gain or improve skills in hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation in a fun, safe and comfortable environment.

Join us February 26-28, 2016 at the UMaine 4-H Camp and Learning Center in Bryant Pond for a weekend of outdoor fun and adventure.

For more information or to register online, visit: http://umaine.edu/bryantpond/adult-programs/becoming-an-outdoors-woman/becoming-an-outdoorswoman-winter-skills-weekend/

American Red Cross Offers Advice on Keeping Pipes from Freezing, and What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze....

During Cold Weather, Take Preventative Action to Keep Pipes from Freezing        

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

To Thaw Frozen Pipes

• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

Future Protection

• Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing.
• Pipes can be relocated by a professional if the home is remodeled.
• Add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.
• For more information, please contact a licensed plumber or building professional.

 

Obituary: Kevin S. Rollins

KEVIN S. ROLLINS


DOVER – Kevin S. Rollins, 46, passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2015, after a lengthy courageous battle against cancer.

Kevin was a selfless person with the heart of a lion. Anyone who met Kevin loved him. He had an incredibly generous, caring, kind, spirit.

He was the kind of guy who would give his last dollar to a stranger in need. Kevin loved music, the outdoors, and taking long walks with his dogs Sally, Nick and Mal. He loved all animals and his sense of humor could fill a room with laughter which he continued to display through his final days with the wonderful staff at Hyder Family Hospice House, many thanks to each one of them for the wonderful care they gave Kevin.

Kevin is survived by his loving parents William and Shirley ( Locke ) Rollins of Rochester, his sister Tami-Jo Rollins who was his best friend and closest confidant. Brother Billy and his wife Bonnie Rollins, brother Steve Rollins and his partner Amanda Devereaux, brother Brian and his wife Jen Rollins, paternal grandparents William and Virginia Rollins as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins and a lifelong family friend John Reilly.

SERVICES: Friends may visit with Kevin's family on Monday, December 28, 2015 from 10-12 p.m., in the JS Pelkey Funeral Home 125 Old Post Road Kittery, Maine, 03904, where a funeral will be held at noon. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com . In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Kevin's memory to the Hyder Family Hospice House 285 County Farm Road Dover, N.H., 03820. Care for the Rollins family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey Funeral Home.

Obituary: Rita Louise Dube

Rita Louise Dube
(September 29, 1927 - December 24, 2015)

         

Lebanon, Maine Rita L. Dube, age 88, of Prospect Hill Road in Lebanon, Maine, died peacefully at home, with her loving family, on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2015. Born September 29, 1927 in Somersworth, New Hampshire, the daughter of Edouard and Eva (Lavertue) Plante, she grew up there and resided in Lebanon, Maine since 1945. In earlier years, she was a shoeworker at local shoe factories, including the former Rochester Shoe. She participated in Senior Bingo and loved going to Oxford Casino, to play the slot machines. Widow of the late Roger E. Dube, she is survived by their daughter Pauline and son in law Gerald Paquette, a grandson: Jeremy Paquette and his girlfriend Jolana Lowe, a granddaughter: Jenny and husband Patrick Whalen, also many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 10 siblings. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday January 2, 2016 at 10:30am at St. Peter’s Church on Central Street in Farmington, NH with Fr. Daniel J. Sinibaldi, pastor, as celebrant. If desired, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice.

Sign up now for Milton Free Public Library's Upcoming Events!!!

 

Published: December 26, 2015

 

The upstairs room of the "Little Red Schoolhouse" has been transformed into a center of creative play. Introduce your children to screen-free activities including building sets, musical instruments, costumes, puppets, word games, logic puzzles, and scientific exploration.

Our first Build It! event will be February 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for young people age 6 through 14. We will introduce our attendees to the various fun items available so that everyone can play as they choose. You may arrive and depart as needed, but preference will be given to those who can commit to the full two hours. Sign up early, as space is limited. Please email the library at mfpl@metrocast.net, or call 603-473-8535.

Future events will follow with dates to be announced. Children are also welcome to come at any time during library hours to use the upstairs space, explore and play. Note to parents: We welcome and encourage you to come play with your children, but be aware the upstairs space will be a "screen free" zone during creative play times.

Build It! is made possible by the Curiosity Creates grant from the Association for Library Service to Children funded by Disney.

Fun Fan Fiction
Attention all Milton High School Students: We are happy to announce our annual Fun Fan Fiction Contest of 2016. Students are challenged to take an existing work of fiction and change the ending, characters, or put in a plot twist to enhance the work. Three (3) prizes will be awarded to students based on creativity, use of the original author's "voice", and (ahem) grammar. Start creating now! Submissions are due February 5th.The prizes will be awarded at the "Nute Week" celebration, Thursday, February 18th. First place prize is $100, second $75, and third place $50.

Winter Carnival Skywatch
Let's take a moment to celebrate the winter sky during Milton's Winter Carnival. We will start at the Milton Free Public Library, 13 Main Street, Milton Mills at 5:30 PM, Saturday, February 13 for a brief presentation held by members of the New Hampshire Astronomical Society (NHAS). We will then head over to the Milton Town Beach. NHAS members will have several telescopes trained at the the night sky.

What is Overdrive?
Did you know that you can "borrow" e-books, audio books and periodicals from the New Hampshire Downloadable Books Consortium, an online library powered by Overdrive? Contact a member of the Milton Free Public Library staff to find out how! (603) 473-8535 or mfpl@metrocast.net

Please sign up for our e-newsletter
We're taking our newsletter directly to our patrons. Contact the Milton Free Public Library at mfpl@metrocast.net or (603) 473-8535 to sign up for our monthly email newsletter.

Overdues and renewals: What to do?
If you have a past due item that you'd like to renew, you can do so online. Please ask a member of our staff to help you get your personal online library account set up! You can also use the dropbox out front to return items if you can't get here during library hours. Thank you!