Bangor, Maine News Update: December 28, 2017

Maine drug enforcement officials say the state saw fewer reports of meth production this year. Police say there were 56 meth-related incidents in 2017, down from a record high of 127 last year. The Bangor Daily News reports that police attribute the decline to a years-old law blocking the sale of over-the-counter medicine containing ephedrine.

Police say a man was stabbed during a fight inside an apartment yesterday morning in Bath. It happened at the Green Acres Estates. 32-year-old Clancy Morton of Woolwich was stabbed in the neck. Police say he got into a fight with two acquaintances while visiting the apartment.

A man from Millinocket has been formally charged with assaulting an officer in October. WABI reports that it happened when 46-year-old Ra Romano and two others appeared to be intoxicated while walking in and out of traffic in Millinocket. Police say Romano became disorderly when he was asked by officers to stop. When an officer tried to arrest him, police say Romano grabbed the officers taser and used it on the officer. He faces a long list of charges.

Four Maine hospitals are being penalized by Medicare for poor patient safety rates. The Bangor Daily News reports that York Hospital, Southern Maine Health Care, Central Maine Medical Center and Cary Medical Center in Caribou are being penalized. Their Medicare reimbursements will be reduced by 1 percent in 2018.

Police in Maine are warning residents about a fundraising phone scam. The Portland Press Herald reports that scammers are posing as Saco police officers and members of Maine Association of Police. The callers are asking for donations to help with budget issues. Police say neither the police department nor the association would ask for money in that manner.