Central Maine News: Sept 10, 2015

These are some of the stories central Maine is talking about today.

A new survey gives high marks to Maine's Riverview Psychiatric Center, which has lost its federal certification. DHHS said the report from the Joint Commission, a leading national health care accreditation group, shows the Augusta facility is "on point" for key metrics including use of restraints, seclusion and anti-psychotic drugs that have been a lightning rod for critics. The only thing that's holding it back from regaining federal certification is the need for a residential facility for patients from the criminal justice system who don't need hospital-level care.(AP)

In Maine, it's not so unusual for a school to close because of snow. But closing because it's too hot? Schools in North Berwick, Berwick and Lebanon closed early on Wednesday because the temperature in classrooms had reached uncomfortable levels. The National Weather Service says the region is seeing the hottest weather of the year. Some Maine communities had official heat waves this week, with three consecutive days of 90-plus-degree weather. (AP)

The Passamaquoddy Tribe has signed a letter of intent with a medical marijuana management and consulting company to build a cultivation facility in northeastern Maine. Monarch America Inc. announced last week it plans to design and manage a cutting edge marijuana cultivation facility in an existing 35,000-square-foot building in Princeton. Chief Billy Nicholas says they hope to use the facility to make industrial hemp though, not medical marijuana. He says they will consider expanding operations as the laws surrounding marijuana change. (AP)

A 10-year-old’s story time has some extra support. The Crossroads Youth Center has received $2,500 from the Maine Community Foundation to develop “Tale Time,” a story time created and facilitated by Abbey Gifford, a student at Hall-Dale Elementary School. According to WABI the new and improved “Tale Time” program will be held at the Hubbard Free Library in Hallowell, the second Saturday of each month, beginning at 10am. It’s for kids 4 through 7. The grant money will allow for special guests to stop by. (WABI)

A fire in the attic of the repair shop at Kramer’s Inc. on West River Road  in Sidney caused significant damage. According to the KJ, the fire was reported by the owner, Cliff Kramer, when he arrived at work. Kramer said that when he opened the bay door of the repair barn, smoke came out and he could see fire glowing near the ceiling lights. Kramer and employees tried to put the fire out and pull equipment out of the shop while Sidney firefighters responded. The cause is unknown and the Office of the State Fire Marshal has been called to investigate, the department said. (centralmaine.com)

Conservative House Republicans are embarking on an eleventh-hour political maneuver to undermine the Iranian nuclear deal. They say they can't vote on it until President Barack Obama provides copies of side deals Tehran negotiated with atomic inspectors. The last-ditch effort is not likely to be successful and the international accord will move ahead. The deal will be the focus of heavy debate today in both the House and Senate. (AP)

The former State Department worker who set up Hillary Rodham Clinton's email server is scheduled to appear before House investigators behind closed doors today. But lawmakers have been notified that Bryan Pagliano plans to invoke his 5th Amendment right to refuse to testify to avoid self-incrimination. Two Senate committees are discussing whether to grant Pagliano immunity so he'll discuss Clinton's email setup. (AP)

Japanese military helicopters have been plucking dozens of residents from the tops of their homes today, as raging floodwaters have swamped parts of a city north of Tokyo. Heavy rain has been falling for a second straight day today, and a river broke through a flood berm, sending a wall of water into the city of Joso, about 30 miles northeast of Tokyo. One man waiting to be rescued clung to a utility pole, as waters rose. (AP)

RadioShack will ask a Delaware judge today to approve a settlement in its bankruptcy case that would give some gift card holders just pennies on the dollar. The holders of about a third of the $46 million outstanding gift cards would be paid in full. The difference would depend on how customers received their gift cards. One gift card holder wants to lead a class action. (AP)

Internal affairs detectives in New York are investigating claims by former tennis professional James Blake that he was thrown to the ground and handcuffed while mistakenly being arrested Wednesday at a hotel. Blake tells the Daily News that he's not sure if he was arrested because of his race but he says the officer who put him in handcuffs inappropriately used force. Blake is biracial. Blake's last tournament as a professional was the 2013 U.S. Open. (AP)