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Rural hospitals in the U.S. are facing a severe, long-term crisis, with 48% operating at a loss in 2023 and over 700 — roughly one-third — at risk of closure, which is why this week's news about federal funding is so significant.
Rumford Hospital will be getting $6.4 million to renovate, expand and equip its emergency department, part of nearly $71 million for Maine Hospitals and Health Centers. The bill has been signed into law.
Stephany Jacques, president of Rumford hospital, said this funding will allow them to upgrade technology, increase space at the emergency department and streamline patient care.
Rumford Town Manager George O'Keefe called this one of the most significant and historic investments made in the entire history of this hospital. This should go a very long way towards helping Rumford Hospital to preserve its presence in this community for years to come.
In today's newsletter: Sweets for Your Sweetie event; Hope Association Ride-In; and a free Frostbite Festival at new school.
Thanks for reading,
Bruce Farrin |
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A view of the ND Paper mill in Rumford on a cold winter morning last week. (Bruce Farrin/Staff Writer)
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LOCAL NEWS |
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The Rumford Police Department is expected to receive a $1 million federal grant to upgrade and replace outdated public safety equipment, Police Chief Tony Milligan said. Planned improvements include items such as ballistic shields, computer server and IT infrastructure and camera systems, including in-cruiser and body-worn cameras.
As School Resource Officer Doug Maifeld dives into his curriculum with fifth graders at Mountain Valley Community School, he is going with something even better than his anti-drug messaging: his very own collectible card. This year, Maifeld's 33rd conducting Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), the reserve Rumford police officer will have 2,000 cop cards to be given to students, staff and community members.
The American Legion Post 24 spent this Feb. 1 remembering and honoring the sacrifices of four U.S. Army chaplains who helped save hundreds of sailors from a sinking ship in World War II. American Legion National Executive Committee Alternate Kirk Thurston welcomed an audience of 60 to Post 24 in Rumford, followed by an invocation and the presentation of colors and POW-MIA Empty Chair Ceremony conducted by Scout Troop 580 and Post 24 Adjutant Randall Canwell.
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Use the buttons below to see news from a specific community. |
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AROUND TOWN |
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River Valley Community Footprints is partnering with the Mexico Public Library and throwing a free Frostbite Festival on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 1-4 p.m. at Mountain Valley Community School, 58 Highland Terrace. There will be a snowmobile decorating contest, outdoor games, hot cocoa, s'mores, a fire, vendors, sledding for kids, and a snowshoe race with prizes. Call Nicole Cummings Bambrick with any questions, or text 207-418-8279.
The 29th annual Blessing of the Sleds, hosted by the Mexico Trailblazers Snowmobile Club and the Dixfield Poodunck Snowmobile Club, will be held Saturday at Mountain View Campground, 200 Mountain View Drive, Dixfield, just off Route 142 by vehicle and ITS 82 on snowmobile. You can ride in on your sled, or drive by vehicle. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the actual Blessing beginning at 1 p.m.
American Legion Post 24 will host the 2nd annual free Vietnam Era Veterans Luncheon on Sunday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 184 Congress St. Rumford. Refreshments, haircuts, lunch and free raffles while visiting with other Vietnam Era veterans who have served. Contact Tricia Thurston at 207-357-3289 to RSVP. You do not need to be a Legion member to attend. |
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THINGS TO DO |
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Hope Association's 51st annual Ride-In is Sunday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Hope, 91 Highland Terrace, Mexico. The Ride-In is a fun opportunity for people to enjoy a great snowmobile ride into the woods surrounding our New Hope Residential Home, an opportunity to come out of the cold for a warm drink of hot chocolate or hot coffee and eat hot dogs. Raffle tickets available at the Hope Association's Central Office and the What Not Shop, with tickets drawn at the Ride-In.
Mexico Congregational Church, UCC (the "Green Church"), 163 Main Street, will hold its Sweets for Your Sweetie event on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Delicious goodies in festive Valentine packaging will be on sale. A brunch will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held in the downstairs dining room, which is also accessible from the elevator entrance on Mitchell Street.
All decked out — create your own deck of custom playing cards, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 4-6 p.m. at the Rumford Public Library, 56 Rumford Ave. This is a walk-in, open-house style workshop for teens 14+. Adults are welcome to drop-off or stay for the event.
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THE WAY IT WAS IN THE RIVER VALLEY |
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March 25, 1998: Shelby Moore of Rumford captured the gold medal racing in the female age 6 and under gategory in the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge at Saddleback Mountain in Rangeley. There were more 200 competitors.
Click here to read more of this story from 1998. Subscribers enjoy exclusive access to search and browse our digital archives on Newspapers.com.
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