Marie Weidmayer

East Lansing

Crime and Justice Reporter at Bangor Daily News

Crime and Justice Reporter @bangordailynews | Michigander in Maine | Always looking for good bookstores, coffee and Creole food

Articles

Northern Light Health lost $156M in 2024

1 week ago | bangordailynews.com | Marie Weidmayer

Northern Light Health lost $156 million in 2024, according to its annual report released Tuesday. The health care system’s operating loss surged in the last fiscal year, increasing from $36 million in 2023. Of that increase, $100 million is from an advance payment from Optum after a cyber attack at Change Healthcare interrupted Northern Light’s ability to send bills, James Rohrbaugh, the system’s chief financial officer, said.
Orrington trash plant won’t reopen for more than a year

1 week ago | bangordailynews.com | Marie Weidmayer

The Orrington trash incinerator is at least 15 months away from reopening. Construction at Eagle Point Energy Center will take another 15 to 18 months, Project Manager Roy Donnelly said at a Penobscot County Commission meeting Tuesday. The plan is to start accepting trash between September and November 2026, he said. The plant was shuttered in 2023 after longtime owner Penobscot Energy Recovery Co. was foreclosed on.
Northern Light Health lost $156M in 2024

1 week ago | observer-me.com | Marie Weidmayer

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News StaffNorthern Light Health lost $156 million in 2024, according to its annual report released April 15. The health care system’s operating loss surged in the last fiscal year, increasing from $36 million in 2023. Of that increase, $100 million is from an advance payment from Optum after a cyber attack at Change Healthcare interrupted Northern Light’s ability to send bills, James Rohrbaugh, the system’s chief financial officer, said.
Owner of shuttered Bangor restaurant owes $54K for purchase, lawsuit says

1 week ago | bangordailynews.com | Marie Weidmayer

The woman who opened a Bangor restaurant for two months in 2024 has allegedly failed to pay the prior owner for the business, according to a new lawsuit. Briar Jipson opened Lavano’s on July 12 and it closed in mid September.
Orrington won’t say how much it’s spending on troubled trash plant

1 week ago | bangordailynews.com | Marie Weidmayer

Nearly 14 months after Orrington signed a deal with the latest owner of an embattled local trash incinerator, it’s still unclear who owns the company and how much taxpayer money it has spent on the partnership. Eagle Point Energy Center and the town of Orrington own 80 percent of the trash incinerator on the shores of the Penobscot River following a February 2024 sale from C&M Faith holdings. The plant shuttered in 2023 after longtime owner, Penobscot Energy Recovery Co., was foreclosed on.
Former Lincoln funeral director pleads guilty to stealing from 49 people

1 week ago | bangordailynews.com | Marie Weidmayer

A former Lincoln funeral director will serve a year in prison after pleading guilty to stealing from 49 people. Harold “Chip” Lamson Jr., 54, pleased guilty to 16 felony counts of theft and six misdemeanor counts Wednesday in Penobscot County Superior Court. The cases represent a total of 49 people, Assistant District Attorney Christopher Smith said. Lamson was sentenced to one year in prison, and he must pay $63,965.38 in restitution, Smith said.
Old Town residents face 38 percent tax hike amid city budget crisis

2 weeks ago | bangordailynews.com | Marie Weidmayer

Old Town residents are facing a 38 percent property tax increase if the state doesn’t help fill a gap in the city’s budget caused by the closure of a paper mill. The city is navigating a $1.5 million revenue loss in its July 2025 to June 2026 budget following the closure of the ND Paper mill in June 2023. The pulp mill closed because of the rising cost of fiber and energy, the company previously told the Bangor Daily News.
Bangor hardware store closed following longtime owner’s death

2 weeks ago | bangordailynews.com | Marie Weidmayer

A Bangor hardware store has permanently closed its doors after more than 70 years in business following the death of its owner earlier this year. Fairmount Hardware closed in the wake of store owner Sheldon Hartstone’s death on Jan. 8 at 90 years old. His children have since decided to permanently close the store, his brother Fred Hartstone told the Bangor Daily News on Wednesday. The building is in the process of being sold, Fred Hartstone said.
Bangor Mall is violating multiple city codes, judge rules

2 weeks ago | wgme.com | Marie Weidmayer

BANGOR, Maine (BDN) -- The owner of the Bangor Mall is violating city code and must create plans to fix its leaking roof, crumbling parking lot and sign, and lingering sewage, a judge ordered Friday. Bangor proved all ongoing violations related to the roof, parking lot and sign, Judge Bruce Mallonee said in his order. He will give the mall owner until the end of May to come up with a plan to get in compliance. Civil penalties and fines will be assessed after a two-day hearing May 29 and 30.
Bangor city councilor can also serve on county commission, law firm says

2 weeks ago | bangordailynews.com | Marie Weidmayer

A county commissioner can continue serving on that board and Bangor City Council, a law firm said. Dan Tremble was elected to a seat on the Penobscot County Commission in November. Tremble, a Democrat, defeated Republican challenger Cary Weston for the position. Tremble is also serving as a Bangor City Councilor, the term of which expires later this year. In an interview with the Bangor Daily News before the November election, Tremble said he would resign his seat based on legal advice.