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Sir Cliff Richard wants to bring out his own range of gravy. The 84-year-old singer is famed amongst his loved ones for his “custard-thick” festive sauce, which features two onions fried in olive oil, two chicken, lamb, vegetable and beef stock cubes, as well as boiling water. Cliff recently told My Weekly magazine of his gravy: “Then I add teriyaki sauce, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. “I didn’t read it anywhere, I just made up things I like to taste.” And because of its popularity, the ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ hitmaker would love to see his gravy stocked in supermarkets. He said: “I’m still waiting for some company to offer me a deal! “Paul Newman has his name on all sorts of mayonnaise and salad dressings and he did it for charity. “I’m available... Can you imagine? ‘Cliff Richard’s gravy – probably the greatest gravy in the world.’ “ Cliff serves up his gravy, along with the rest of Christmas dinner, in sunnier climes, spending the 2023 festive season at his house in Barbados and the previous year in Florida. He said: “Warm weather appeals to me and sometimes ‘White Christmas’ comes on. You’re looking out of the window thinking, ‘It’s 98 degrees. It’s not going to happen.’ “ The ‘Saviour's Day’ hitmaker previously admitted he thinks it is “weird” that so many people associate him with Christmas, but he’s happy to make people happy over the festive season. He told Women’s Weekly magazine: “It’s weird, because contrary to popular belief, I do not own Christmas, nor have all my hits been Christmas tracks. “But if people want to think of me at Christmas? Well, I’ll take that thank you. “Christmas is a family time, so if I help to bring warmth to others then I’m happy.”North Korea’s Kim Jong Un vows toughest anti-U.S. policy before Trump takes officeAMD’s Surprising Turnaround! Is This AI Giant Poised for a Comeback?
Trinity Bank, N.A. (OTCMKTS:TYBT) Short Interest Update1. A pullover hoodie you'll throw on faster than your friend's "I have a cold, I'm going to have to cancel tonight" text. It comes in *so* many colors you can absolutely stock up on 'em. Promising review: "THE MOST PERFECT HOODIE. I cannot say enough great things about these hoodies!! I already bought it in seven different colors. The perfect comfortable basic to add to your wardrobe. Great quality. Soft and thick material. You definitely need this. I would pay double the price for it tbh!" — Michelle Gramlich Get it from Amazon for $44.99 (available in women's sizes 2XS–2XL, 3X–4X, and in 42 styles). 2. A foot massaging machine you can use to apply acupressure on the bothersome parts of your feet — it'll be so much nicer than walking around a bar in heels. Read more about reflexology, acupressure, and how it can help with stress at Cleveland Clinic . Promising review: "We got this for our mom who has neuropathy and her feet are always cold and numb. We've bought all sorts of things to make her feet feel better, like heated socks, foot baths, compression devices for her legs and feet ... nothing worked. So we were skeptical when we bought the Miko foot massager, even though it kept coming up as one of the top foot massagers in our research. We've been pleasantly surprised (shocked actually) at how much our mom LOVES it. It has an automatic setting for 15 minutes, and she just keeps pushing the start button for hours at a time! The combination of a little heat, the rollers and the compression all work together to give her feet a nice massage . She keeps things on the high setting so she's able to feel it. There are definitely less expensive foot massagers out there, but this one actually works , so was WELL worth the money!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $139+ (available in two styles). 3. An electric heated mattress pad you better believe will become your most-used item this winter — who wouldn't want to feel like a freshly toasted marshmallow??? It comes with a memory timer and 10 heat settings, ideal for when you doze off while in your cozy bubble, and it boasts dual settings so you and your partner can *each* set your side of the bed to the perfect temp. Promising review: "I like all the things about this bed warmer. I had one in the past and got rid of it because we could feel the wires as we laid on them. Not this one. It works well. Just need to figure out what number setting I want. I also really like the timer setting since I often freeze as I go to sleep and then boil half way through the night. But not anymore!! :)" — Fairmaiden Get it from Amazon for $55.96+ (available in twin–California king sizing). 4. A "Cup Cozy Pillow" — aka an absolute essential for achieving peak comfort goals in your living room. It features a spot to hold your remote, two mugs, and two additional beverages. You honestly may never want to leave your couch again. Cup Cozy Pillow is a small business that specializes in family-friendly snack and drink organizers. Check out a TikTok of the Cup Cozy Deluxe Pillow in action. Promising review: "This thing is great! I’m home on maternity leave with my new baby and spend most of my time on the couch under a sleeping baby. This product makes it easy for me to keep my drinks, remote, etc close by even with dogs running around . It’s a little more expensive than I would have liked but it works and I love it so money well spent!" — Amber Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in eight styles). 5. A "Through The Seasons" Reverse Coloring Book , which is a newer edition of the fan favorite Reverse Coloring Book — perfect for anyone who is tired of coloring *inside* the lines and needs more of a challenge — in this scenario they'll be the one to draw the lines around the colors on the page! Basically, instead of adding the color to these, you draw lines to create images within the colors. Fun! Pair it with these fabulous black fine point pens for $9.99 on Amazon. Promising review : "Kendra Norton’s beautiful art books, Reverse Coloring books, have changed my world! My whole life I thought I was not creative and therefore had zero artistic ability. Now this has become my favorite form of artistic expression. I turn on music and/or an audiobook and allow myself to go for an adventure outside of my mind, beyond my mind, if you will. T his has become my favorite way to process through difficult emotions and experiences I’m working through ." — K. DeWitt Get it from Amazon for $8.29 . 6. A stuffed waffle maker you can count on to make all of your foodie dreams come true — fill 'em with cream cheese, strawberries, chicken, or anything else your heart desires! When your meal plans are cancelled you won't even bat an eye, just grab some waffle mix and enjoy a delicious time in your own kitchen. Promising review: "Oh my goodness. This was way better than expected. Definitely only need one waffle per person, they are huge. They are beyond delicious and the stuffing options are endless. It does take about seven minutes to make one waffle but totally worth it. Comes out perfect every single time. No issues at all. Buy it now!" — armywife Get it from Amazon for $49.99 . 7. A "flaming" humidifier for anyone who cherishes nothing more than cozy cottagecore vibes, soothing aromatherapy, and sleeping amongst delightfully hydrated air. Promising review : "I like how this diffuser kind of looks like a mini fireplace and it’s perfect for winter. I also like how long the water of this diffuser lasts — I always add my favorite essential oil in it when I go to sleep every night without worrying it will run out of water. I used to have insomnia and it helped me to sleep through the night with my relaxing essential oil scent, and it also worked as a humidifier." — Benny Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in two colors). 8. A small lamp with the ability to rotate 180 degrees — it'll quickly become the *~light of your life~*. It has 16 color settings to choose from so you'll always be able to match your lighting to your mood and it has a remote control so you can mix it up without getting out of bed. Promising review : "I was really happy to find that the quality of this light exceeded my expectations. I’ve used it to create a calm ambience in my room with the orange setting, as well as, added fun lighting to a karaoke party with the blue setting. It has a weighty base and a reasonably long cord. You can also rotate and adjust the angle. Both lights run at the same time too." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two colors). 9. A quilted chenille floor pillow for anyone who has always dreamt about having their very own reading nook — this will help you bring your fantasy to life without having to renovate your entire home. Plus *how lovely* do they look when stacked like in the review photo above!? Gorgeous! Promising review: "This comes just as pictured and described. It is comfortable and looks luxurious. It's great for floor seating." — AKhan Get it from Amazon for $38.49+ (available in seven colors). 10. A Book Nook , an absolutely genius idea for readers who simply *need* somewhere handy to place their book when they start to fall asleep mid-reading. It perfectly fits on nightstands and is designed to *~aesthetically~* hold your spot — it also has a place to put your glasses, a coffee mug, and even a phone. How much better does this evening sound than shouting across the table in a crowded restaurant? Sign me up. This is an ~Uncommon Goods original~ and you can see more on their TikTok ! Promising review : "When I saw this Book Nook, I was thrilled. I bought it for myself and it's perfect. Not only can you use the round spot for a cup of tea or coffee, I put my candle on there. If you don't wear glasses, your remote might fit perfectly in that spot. There is a little triangular nook for your phone. But the best thing is that you can save your spot in your book. My books are always tossed around and I can't find my bookmarks. I'm going to buy one of these for all the rooms where I read. This makes an excellent gift." — MJ Get it from Uncommon Goods for $50 . 11. A teak bath caddy to give you just one more reason to fill your tub to the brim and soak for hours while listening to LoFi beats. Promising review: "Well made, pretty tray that fits all the way across my tub. Has a support for book or iPad which is great." — Jolene Saiz Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two styles). 12. And a mod bath pillow , a must-have for anyone who desperately needs to soak the stress of their day away (ahem, me) before hittin' the hay. Promising review: "This has a lot of cushion for your back and neck. I had no issues with sticking it to the tub. The best part is the hook which allows it to dry out well. In this time of working at home, I need a nice tub to help relax." — Danielle Piacentini Get it from Amazon for $45.99 . 13. A star string canopy that'll make every night feel like date night as you and your special someone cuddle up *underneath the stars* before heading off to sleep and by sleep I mean to watch too much Netflix. Promising review: "This product is great. And beautiful! It was a nice touch to a surprise anniversary date ." — Juan Rodriguez Get it from Amazon for $16.98+ (available in six styles). 14. A foot heater for anyone with perpetually cold tootsies — fire this bad boy up, turn on The Great British Baking Show , and enjoy the warmth you’re guaranteed to feel from head-to-toe (literally). Promising review: "I love this product. It's well built, nice neutral colors to blend into my carpet, so it's not an eyesore wherever I have it sitting. The fuzziness lends a cozy feel to it, as well. It offers a heat or no-heat setting and two directions for the shiatsu-style massagers to work on your heels. The inside is roomy enough that you can even turn your feet on their side to get an extra massage there as well. It's a gentle yet deep massage, so it's great for days when you've been standing for hours or walking on your feet a lot. I would recommend to anyone looking for a nice foot massager." — Gardener Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in two colors). 15. A cleverly designed rechargeable electric candle lighter with a flexible neck to light every candle in your house to create the *perfect* ambiance without concern you'll run out of lighter fluid. Promising review: "I cook outside, and lighting a fire during wet and windy weather was a real pain. This lighter was a game changer! As long as the material is dry, this lighter will light regularly, consistently, and easily. Plus, it’s rechargeable! Love it!" — Sandra Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in seven colors and as a two-pack). 16. And a Santa's Naturals Snow Fall candle featuring notes of pine, citrus, and eucalyptus you can light to celebrate your plans being cancelled due to inclement weather — nothing too terrible about a cozy, candlelit night at home! Santa's Naturals is a small business! I've tested their candles out myself and am a big fan. I love that they're made of soy and beeswax for clean, beautiful burning and the scents are absolutely delightful. They're not too heavy or overpowering and the jars are the perfect addition to my home's cozy winter vibes. Promising review: "The scent of this candle couldn’t be more cozy, wintry or Christmasy! Is very pleasant, and perfect for the holiday season. Burn time is accurate I would say. The candle tin is also very cute and festive." — Elaine Rehder Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in three scents and sizes). 17. A floral-inspired dimmable candle-warmer lamp you can safely use to bring the scent of your favorite candle to your home (no flames necessary). An added bonus — the candle will last waaaaay longer since it's not actually burning down! Promising review: "I bought this on a whim, and I’m hooked. I love the timer and dimmer features. So far, the lamp works great. It doesn’t put out a lot of heat and I love that you can adjust the light. This is now going to be my go-to gift. " — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $35.98 (available in 10 styles). 18. Or a set of remote-controlled flameless candles so you can set up the cozy corner of your dreams without worrying about starting a not-so-cozy fire. 😅 Each candle requires 3 AAA batteries . Promising review: "I bought one set and loved them so much I bought two more sets. They're the most realistic looking fake candles I've bought so far. The 'flame' up close obviously doesn't look real but from afar with the flicker setting on, you almost can't tell these aren't real. They also put out a decent amount of light for being fake. Gives my living room a very cozy feel which is what I wanted. Remote works great as well. " — suckerforcats Get a set of three from Amazon for $25.99 (available in five styles). 19. A homebody sticker for my fellow '90s girlies who have *never* felt more at home than squatting in that all-too-memorable yellow playhouse with the pink door and light green shutters. IYKYK, my friends. SpunkeeMonkeeStudio is a small business! This sticker is waterproof so it can happily live on your water bottle! Promising review: "I had one of these!! 111/10 nostalgia core." — aria isnt here anymore Get it from SpunkeeMonkeeStudio on Etsy for $4.25 . 20. Murdle, Volume 1 , a compilation of murder mystery–themed logic puzzles that are reminiscent of the ever-popular Wordle game. This version will encourage you to use powers of deduction and a variety of clues to solve the mysteries throughout the book. Sherlock Holmes, who? There are 100 puzzles total, and four different levels of difficulty to tackle —each puzzle features a logic grid to help you solve it! Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun, but the characters, storylines and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with all of this creativeness! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes but this one will keep me busy for a while!" — Liz Gately Get it from Amazon for $12.99 . If you want to keep the fun going you can *also* snag Murdle: Volume 2 and Murdle: Volume 3 for more puzzling. 21. A " Grievance Journal ," aka a "burn book for the discerning misanthrope" that anyone with dark humor who will find it especially cathartic thanks to 52 prompts to express irritations over what's bothering them the most. Promising review : "Bought this intending to gift it to a friend but ended up getting really into the prompts and decided to keep it for myself. WOW, what an awesome way to vent and articulate the negativity you're feeling by actually forcing yourself to form coherent thoughts around your emotions. Cheaper and more effective than therapy, buying several more for friends and fam. " — Alex Get it from Amazon for $27.99 . If your recipient wants something a little less grim, check out this Burn After Writing book with a similar but lighter sentiment. 22. A chunky knit chenille blanket to bury yourself under because it's simply that time of year — it comes in so many colors you'll absolutely be able to snag one that matches your room's vibe. It's also hypoallergenic *and* machine washable! Samiah Luxe is a small business! Promising review: "Love this look. Makes the room look & feel cozy. But then the blanket ACTUALLY is cozy! Super soft. Heavy. Warm. Worth the money." — Tracy W. Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in three sizes and eight colors). 23. Or a wearable blanket for anyone who typically wraps their throw blanket around their shoulders and wanders the house like a ghost. Skip that entire step and slip this version right over your head then proceed with your meandering. Promising review: "I bought this to live in when in my college dorm and now I never want to leave my college dorm. But that means it's GOOD!! I totally slept in it last night and it's perfect for rolling out of bed when it's 40 degrees outside, which makes the floors cold. My feet may be cold, but the rest of me sure isn't! 😀👍" — Eden Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in kids and adults sizes and 28 styles). 24. A new cookbook from Prue Leith (yes, the famed The Great British Bake Off judge!) filled with a variety of exciting recipes — perfect for someone who enjoys unwinding by cooking (and even better for their roommate who gets to eat all the stress-fueled cooking). Get it from Amazon for $20.38 . 25. A heated eye massager complete with five different massage modes and Bluetooth music so you can fully indulge and relax while relieving pain from eye strain and headaches. Promising review : "I saw this product on one of Amazon’s must-have TikTok videos and I knew I had to get it. It was so worth it — even though price may seem higher compared to other sellers, this is for sure a good investment piece. The quality is top notch, the strap that goes around your head is comfortable, and most importantly, the duration of each mode is long enough that it doesn’t interrupt your rest. I work a 12-hour night shift as a nurse and this technology has helped me get through the night easily. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in four colors). 26. A mason jar cold brew maker so you can have your fave morning bev on-hand when your brunch plans get not-so-sadly cancelled. Reviewers absolutely love this version and also use it to brew their favorite iced teas. Cheers! County Line Kitchen is a small business specializing in mason jar–style cold brew makers, pitchers, and accessories. Promising review: "This has been a hit in my house. Makes the most delicious cold brew and is of great quality. Has saved a ton of money on going out and on pods I used to buy. I try to let it sit for 48 hours so I can dilute it with a little water to get it to last longer, and throw it in my dishwasher in between uses. Perfect!" — Jo Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two sizes and colors). 27. A subscription to Book of the Month for any bibliophile who hates having to actually speak to someone in a store about what they should read next and would much rather have their next fave novel delivered to their door. I was gifted a BOTM subscription many years ago and I've stayed loyal since! It's the only subscription service I've kept up with and gifted to different people. Each month your gift recipient will be permitted to choose from a selection of books (and more recently, audiobooks!), all of which are different genres. Then the book they select will be delivered to their door. Half of my beautifully color coordinated bookcase is filled with books from BOTM and I couldn't be happier! Get three months from Book of the Month for $59.99 . 28. A genius amber reading light to attach directly to your novel, so even if your partner wants to hit the hay you can stay up as late as you want without disturbing them as you dive deeper and deeper into The New York Times bestseller your friends have all been raving about. Promising review: "This is a fantastic light! I use it every evening to continue reading while my son sleeps, it does not wake him or impede my sleep after I’m ready to go to bed. Great product." — Brian Masters Get it from Amazon for $11.99 . 29. An "Awakened Artifacts" puzzle from the TikTok-famous Magic Puzzle Company for helping you to unwind after a day filled with unpleasantries. There are over 50 hidden Easter eggs in this journey of an activity (including a hidden twist at the end!) that'll delight and amaze anyone who works on it. Promising review: "Bought this as soon as I got the email that it dropped on Amazon! Love this series and will continue to purchase them. Was it the most challenging puzzle? No, but that didn't take away from the fun of putting it together. Great artwork, wacky pieces, two posters, you just can't go wrong with a magic puzzle!" — Jennifer Lawton Get it from Amazon for $22.99 . This is one of 14 puzzles from the Magic Puzzle Company , so there's lots of other ~puzzling~ possibilities once this one's finished! 30. A flexible universal tablet stand , in case you have roommates whose plans sadly *weren't* cancelled and simply don't feel like hanging out with them to watch TV. This handy dandy gadget will ensure you can continue to watch episodes of The Bear hands-free and human-free. Tablift is a small business created by Scott Blevins after he had trouble finding a tablet stand for his bed. This is compatible with Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and most other tablets (but you may have to remove the case in some cases). Promising review : "I wondered how the flexible legs might be. The problem I envisioned was that the legs would deflect as I used the support — nope! Not at all! It's flexible AND stable in just the right way. The legs twist in a wide variety of positions and the STAY where I put them. I use it for reading in bed at night mostly but have also used it's on the couch while watching TV. Ideal in each instance. Great job!" — R. Steven Cooper Get it from Amazon for $49.95 . 31. Microwaveable hugging sloths filled with soothing lavender — who better to spend a cold wintry night with?! The pair breaks apart so you can share the love with your roommate when they're having a rough day. 🥹 My sister bought my son a Golden Retriever Warmies plush before he was born and it's recently become a staple in his collection of "crib friends." It smells incredible and is so soothing for bedtime. I love that they're weighted but not *too* heavy that I'd be worried to let him snuggle with it overnight. Promising review: "I have a sloth obsession so I'm adding these to my collection! Perfect size and absolutely adorable! Not sure I'll use them for warming, but I have other Warmies for that purpose!!" — Heather W. Get it from Warmies for $29.99 or Amazon for $26.95 . Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Jalen Haynes scored 18 points as George Mason beat Mount St. Mary's 64-56 on Saturday. Haynes also added 16 rebounds for the Patriots (9-4). Darius Maddox shot 5 of 11 from the field, including 1 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the line to add 13 points. Brayden O'Connor shot 2 for 5 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with nine points. The Mountaineers (8-5, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) were led by Dola Adebayo, who recorded 13 points and seven rebounds. Mount St. Mary's also got 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks from Terrell Ard Jr.. Arlandus Keyes also had seven points. Haynes scored 11 points in the first half and George Mason went into halftime trailing 30-28. George Mason used a 10-3 second-half run to come back from a three-point deficit and take the lead at 34-30 with 17:54 remaining in the half before finishing off the victory. Maddox scored nine second-half points. George Mason plays Tuesday against Davidson at home, and Mount St. Mary's hosts Niagara on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Courtney Bass, an outreach worker with Milestone Recovery, listens as a homeless woman talks to her in Scarborough on Dec. 17. Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald Whenever a patient of Milestone Recovery, past or present, dies from a drug overdose, staff typically logs into a critical incident system to report it. One day this fall, Executive Director Tom Doherty went to log in but needed to update his password because it had expired after 90 days of inactivity. It had been at least 90 days since someone died. Service providers like Doherty aren’t taking victory laps, but there is a glimmer of optimism as 2024 sunsets that Maine might be reversing a deadly trend that has devastated the state for a decade. Between January and October, there have been 403 drug overdose deaths, an average of 40 each month, according to state data . That’s down 21% from the same period in 2023 when 513 overdose deaths had been recorded, and it comes on the heels of a 16% decrease from 2022 to 2023 . If this year’s pace continues in November and December, Maine will end 2024 with fewer than 500 fatal overdoses for the first time since 2019. Gordon Smith, Maine’s director of opioid response, said deaths aren’t always the best metric for success or failure, even though he understands that’s what generates the most attention. “We could do everything right that we’re supposed to do, and our deaths could still go up,” he said. And it’s clear there are some larger forces at work. Overdose deaths are down nationwide this year, although Maine’s decrease is more dramatic than the national decline. Still, Smith said, the historic investments Maine has made in treatment, harm reduction and prevention might be paying off. Just last month, the state awarded $14 million to 43 projects through its share of opioid settlement funds and those funds will continue to flow to Maine for 17 more years. Doherty said greater acceptance of harm reduction efforts has been a key factor. Harm reduction means everything from widespread distribution of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone and drug testing strips to the Good Samaritan law that allows anyone to call 911 following an overdose without fear of being arrested for drug possession crimes. Milestone has two mobile outreach teams that spend their days traveling throughout greater Portland looking for people at greatest risk. Other agencies, including Maine Access Points, which focuses on harm reduction efforts in rural areas, have the same aim. The goal is to steer them toward treatment, even if that takes many attempts. “Not everybody is going to clean up their mess on the same day,” said Angel Trotter, a Milestone outreach worker. So, the goal becomes simpler: Just keep them alive. ‘Trying to get by’ Courtney Bass, an outreach worker with Milestone Recovery, hands a stocking to a homeless woman in Portland on Dec. 17. Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald Trotter and her outreach partner, Courtney Bass, spend most of their days working out of a Nissan NV3500 passenger van that’s filled with supplies and food. One day this month, the two women also toted individualized Christmas stockings that had been stuffed by volunteers with candy and personal care items. Their goal each day is to make contact with clients who are living on the street, most of whom are also dealing with substance use disorder — the most vulnerable to overdose. “I’m not sure how long I would last living out behind the ballfield and having people not even looking at you or shouting, “Get a job,’” Doherty said. Trotter and Bass said their work has gotten harder since Portland passed an ordinance prohibiting homeless encampments. Now, unhoused individuals who don’t end up at the shelter are scattered in bordering communities like South Portland and Westbrook. With Bass behind the wheel and Trotter in the passenger seat on her laptop or phone, they start their route. “Meeting people where they are at” is a common phrase, and that often means in parking lots of libraries or big box retail stores. Sometimes it’s just the side of the road. Trotter has been an outreach worker for 18 months but said she, too, was living on the street not that long ago. “It’s changed a lot,” she said. Bass has been with Milestone for more than a decade. She said much of her job is making sure people have what they need to stay safe. “You don’t think about these things when you’re running, you’re just trying to get by,” she said. At one stop, a young man asked Trotter to look at a rash on his stomach that wasn’t going away. She asked if she could take a picture and send it to someone at the free clinic. Back in the van, she places a call and tells a clinician she’s going to send the picture over to see if he needs to be treated right away. They work closely with other service agencies, including Common Space, which operates a needle exchange program and other harm reduction initiatives. Executive Director Brian Townsend points to two factors contributing to the decline in overdose deaths: 1. A dramatic increase in available supplies for safe use and 2. Increased sophistication and knowledge of overdose response. There is still resistance, he said, to harm reduction initiatives such as needle exchange programs. Townsend doesn’t begrudge anyone who has a strong emotional reaction, like complaining about discarded needles or the impact on emergency crews. But he also tries to explain that harm reduction does not equate to enabling drug use. “Our efforts are strictly to keep people safe, and keep them alive,” he said. At their last stop, Trotter and Bass waited for nearly 20 minutes in a parking lot across from Lowe’s on Brighton Avenue, near the Portland-Westbrook line, for a client who was supposed to meet them. They didn’t show up the day before either. Bass said if more than a couple of days go by without seeing a regular client, they start to worry a little. “Then we go look,” she said. ‘Still way too many’ Tom Doherty is the director of Milestone Recovery in Portland. Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald Maine isn’t alone in documenting fewer deaths. Fatal overdoses declined nationally by about 14% between June 2023 and June 2024, according to recent data published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some experts attribute some of it to the supply chain. Fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid that supplanted heroin years ago as the go-to drug of many, has has become less potent as the country has started to crack down on cartels and other international suppliers. This fall, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration head Anne Milgram announced that for the first time since 2021, her agency saw a decline in fentanyl potency. Smith said Maine has likely seen some of that, too. In addition to fewer deaths, the number of non-fatal overdoses has decreased by 13% over the same period in 2023. Still, fentanyl showed up in three of every four overdose deaths in Maine this year, often in combination with another substance, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, according to state data. Smith also said officials have little control over the supply side of the crisis. Cartels and others have always found a way to stay a step ahead. “I’d rather work on the demand side,” he said. To that end, Maine has built a network of recovery coaches across the state that didn’t exist five years ago. Naloxone has become widespread in most communities. There are more than 1,000 recovery beds statewide. The state has never had more people on methadone and Suboxone, the two primary forms of medication-assisted treatment. And more and more are opting to use Sublocade, which is a one-month injection that blocks opioid receptors and effectively makes it impossible to get high. In Portland, Milestone has doubled its number of detox beds . Combined with other beds around the city, there are 5 times as many as before the pandemic. “It used to sort of be like Willy Wonka and the golden ticket,” Doherty said. There are always challenges. Experts say tracking other substances that might get mixed with fentanyl or methamphetamine or cocaine is key. Some newer mixers are resistant to naloxone. It’s one of the reasons agencies like Milestone and Common Space distribute testing strips. Longer-term residential treatment, which is expensive, is still in short supply and often faces local resistance . Townsend said that independent of the state’s investments, the conversation about opioid use and overdose has evolved so that it’s OK to talk about. Mostly. “Stigma remains one of our biggest issues,” he said. “That has not shifted all the way, but it has shifted in the right direction.” While there is more hope, experts aren’t declaring any victories. “It’s still way too many (overdose deaths) in a state our size,” Smith said. Doherty agrees and is always quick to temper his optimism. Not long after he logged into the critical incident system with his new password, the agency saw two overdose deaths back-to-back. Drug overdose deaths declined by 16% in Maine in 2023 Maine Recovery Council approves $13.9 million in projects Legislators approve compromise bill for Good Samaritan expansion Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors.ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn played bogey-free for an 8-under 64 for his first lead after any round. Joel Dahmen was 10 shots behind and had a bigger cause for celebration Friday in the RSM Classic. Dahmen made a 5-foot par putt on his final hole for a 2-under 68 in tough conditions brought on by the wind and cold, allowing him to make the cut on the number and get two more days to secure his PGA Tour card for next year. He is No. 124 in the FedEx Cup. “I still got more to write this weekend for sure,” said Dahmen, who recently had said his story is not yet over. “But without having the opportunity to play this weekend, my story would be a lot shorter this year.” Fishburn took advantage of being on the easier Plantation course, with trees blocking the brunt of the wind and two additional par 5s. He also was helped by Maverick McNealy, who opened with a 62 on the tougher Seaside course, making two bogeys late in his round and having to settle for a 70. Fishburn, who already has locked up his card for next year, was at 11-under 131 and led McNealy and Lee Hodges (63) going into the weekend. Michael Thorbjornsen had a 69 and was the only player who had to face Seaside on Friday who was among the top five. What mattered on this day, however, was far down the leaderboard. The RSM Classic is the final tournament of the PGA Tour season, and only the top 125 in the FedEx Cup have full status in 2025. That’s more critical than ever with the tour only taking the top 100 for full cards after next season. Players like Dahmen will need full status to get as many playing opportunities as they can. That explains why he felt so much pressure on a Friday. He didn’t make a bogey after his opening hole and was battling temperatures in the low 50s that felt even colder with the wind ripping off the Atlantic waters of St. Simons Sound. He made a key birdie on the 14th, hitting a 4-iron for his second shot on the 424-yard hole. Dahmen also hit wedge to 2 feet on the 16th that put him on the cut line, and from the 18th fairway, he was safely on the green some 40 feet away. But he lagged woefully short, leaving himself a testy 5-footer with his job on the line. “It was a great putt. I was very nervous,” Dahmen said. “But there’s still work to do. It wasn’t the game-winner, it was like the half-court shot to get us to halftime. But without that, and the way I played today, I wouldn’t have anything this weekend.” His playing partners weren’t so fortunate. The tour put three in danger of losing their cards in the same group — Zac Blair (No. 123), Dahmen and Wesley Bryan (No. 125). The cut was at 1-under 141. Blair and Bryan came to the 18th hole needing birdie to be assured of making the cut and both narrowly missed. Now they have to wait to see if anyone passes them, which is typically the case. Thorbjornsen in a tie for fourth and Daniel Berger (66 at Plantation) in a tie for 17th both were projected to move into the top 125. Dahmen, indeed, still has work to do. Fishburn gets a weekend to see if he can end his rookie year with a win. “I’ve had a lot of experience playing in cold growing up in Utah, playing this time of year, kind of get used to playing when the body’s not moving very well and you’ve got to move your hands,” said Fishburn, who played college golf at BYU. “Just pretty happy with how I played.” Ludvig Aberg, the defending champion and No. 5 player in the world competing for the first time in more than two months because of knee surgery, bounced back with a 64 on Plantation and was back in the mix. Aberg played with Luke Clanton, the Florida State sophomore who looks like he belongs each week. Clanton, the No. 1 player in the world amateur ranking who received a sponsor exemption, had a 65 at Plantation and was two shots off the lead. Clanton already has a runner-up and two other top 10s since June. “Playing with him, it’s pretty awesome to watch,” Clanton said. “We were kind of fanboying a little it. I know he’s a really good dude but to be playing with him and to see what he’s done over the last couple years, it’s pretty inspirational.” ___ AP golf:
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The Miami Dolphins head into this critical matchup against the Cleveland Browns with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. If the Denver Broncos defeat the Cincinnati Bengals, the Dolphins will be eliminated from playoff contention before stepping onto the field against the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately, the Dolphins’ starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, is now listed as doubtful for the game, and he is unlikely to play if Miami’s postseason aspirations deplete. Run The Ball Despite these setbacks, the Dolphins have a clear path to victory. With Tua on the sidelines, the team will need to lean on their run game—something that showed significant improvement in the previous week following the return of offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn . Wynn’s presence in the offensive line has provided added stability and paved the way for the Dolphins’ rushing attack to gain traction. Running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane will be pivotal in this matchup as Miami looks to control the clock and dictate the tempo on the ground. The run game will need to be effective early to set up manageable third downs and take some pressure off Tyler Huntley . Cleveland’s running back, Jerome Ford, has been a key part of their offensive success this season, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. The Dolphins’ defense must stop him. Miami’s front seven must take a physical approach to limit Ford’s explosive potential. By containing Ford and forcing the Browns into obvious passing situations, Miami can begin to exploit Cleveland’s weaknesses, including its reliance on backup quarterbacks. Jordyn Brooks’s designation for this game will be critical to the Dolphins’ ability to stop the run. Miami’s defense will need to hit the ground running. Establishing an early lead would be key in forcing Cleveland’s offense to move away from the run game and rely on their quarterbacks. Whether it’s Jameis Winston or Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center for the Browns, both have been prone to mistakes when pressured. Winston, despite his strong arm, is still a turnover risk with his inconsistent decision-making. Thompson-Robinson, the second-year player, has shown flashes of talent but remains raw, and a fast start could force him into making many errors. By forcing the Browns to play catch-up, Miami’s defense can leverage these mistakes, setting the stage for key takeaways. To force mistakes, the Dolphins’ pass rush will need to be relentless. Miami has one of the most dynamic defensive lines in the league, and this is the time for the defensive front to shine. Whether it’s sending pressure from the outside with Chop Robinson or sending interior rushers like Sieler, getting to the quarterback will be essential. Disrupting the Browns’ quarterbacks—especially a quarterback like Thompson-Robinson—will increase the likelihood of forced throws and bad decisions. The Dolphins’ secondary, led by Kendall Fuller and Jalen Ramsey , will have the opportunity to capitalize on those mistakes with potential turnovers. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Tua Tagovailoa’s availability, the Dolphins can still find a way to secure a victory against the Cleveland Browns by focusing on their run game, containing Jerome Ford, and putting pressure on the Browns’ quarterbacks. Miami can stay alive in the playoff hunt by starting fast, forcing Cleveland to throw, and generating turnovers with a strong pass rush (barring a Denver victory). This is a must-win game, and the Dolphins have the talent to rise to the occasion. Tua DOUBTFUL for Sunday; Huntley Most Likely to StartPelote's 24 lead Western Carolina over Milligan 78-69FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Jalen Haynes scored 18 points as George Mason beat Mount St. Mary's 64-56 on Saturday. Haynes also added 16 rebounds for the Patriots (9-4). Darius Maddox shot 5 of 11 from the field, including 1 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the line to add 13 points. Brayden O'Connor shot 2 for 5 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with nine points. The Mountaineers (8-5, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) were led by Dola Adebayo, who recorded 13 points and seven rebounds. Mount St. Mary's also got 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks from Terrell Ard Jr.. Arlandus Keyes also had seven points. Haynes scored 11 points in the first half and George Mason went into halftime trailing 30-28. George Mason used a 10-3 second-half run to come back from a three-point deficit and take the lead at 34-30 with 17:54 remaining in the half before finishing off the victory. Maddox scored nine second-half points. George Mason plays Tuesday against Davidson at home, and Mount St. Mary's hosts Niagara on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .