Vital Signs newsletter: Farmer Brown goes to court

A farmer’s decision to sell raw milk to customers in Blue Hill landed him before the state’s highest court this week. Dan Brown faced the justices of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, arguing that a local ordinance allowing farmers to sell products directly to consumers exempts him from state licensing requirements. The case raises questions about the concept of Home Rule, outlined in the state’s Constitution, which allows municipalities to enact ordinances as long as they don’t contradict state law.

Brown, who ended up shuttering his farm and filing for bankruptcy, said he’s ready to accept whatever ruling the court hands him.

Farmer Brown goes to court: Justices hear oral arguments in unlicensed raw milk case

Other top health stories this week:

Group calls on state to regulate toxic chemicals found in hundreds of plastic household products

A group of doctors, parents and other activists is demanding the state require manufacturers to report the presence of potentially dangerous chemicals in products sold in Maine. The group, Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine, delivered more than 2,000 signatures to the state on Wednesday morning, targeting products that contain phthalates.

‘How do we reach out to our women veterans?’: Female service members not seeking needed services

 If you’ve served in the military, that makes you a veteran, right? Right, but far too many vets in Maine — particularly women — either don’t know or are ignoring their veteran status and all of the support and benefits that come with it.

From our bloggers

Diane Atwood, Catching Health

Why does it hurt when a black fly bites?

Did you know that black flies will fly up to 10 miles in search of blood!

Pattie Reaves, After the Couch

You don’t have to be perfect to be a role model

The reason why I keep writing this blog, even when it is really really hard for me to do it, is because I want people to know that health isn’t as effortless as the media makes it sound.

Jackie Farwell

About Jackie Farwell

I'm the health editor for the Bangor Daily News, a Bangor native, a UMaine grad, and a weekend crossword warrior. I never get sick of writing about Maine people, geeking out over health care data, and finding new ways to help you stay well. I live in Gorham with my husband Nick and our hound dog Riley.