Have a SAFE Labor Day!
Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Lincolnville Hay Bale Fire
(Lincolnville) Crews battled a stubborn hay bale fire in Lincolnville for more than six hours Thursday. The Pen Bay Pilot reports responders resisted using foam to keep the water on the hay because the Heal Road blaze was on an organic farm. When firefighters returned Friday, they found more than a dozen spots still burning within the hay bales, which could not be spread out, due to limited space. The active fire was finally extinguished but rendered 3 to 400 bales unusuable.
(Lincolnville) A Lincolnville organic farm lost between 3 and 400 bales of hay in a fire that burned for two days last Thursday and Friday. The Pen Bay Pilot reports firefighters resisted using foam to keep water on the hay because of the farm’s organic status. The active fire was finally extinguished late Friday morning, but crews had to call in an excavator to lift up hay so firefighters could hose the smoldering hay.
Winter Harbor Warns of Thefts by Deception
(Winter Harbor) The Winter Harbor Police Department is warning tourists and residents of scam vacation rental websites. Police say in two separate incidents, they received complaints from people who had used a site and had rented units at a Main Street location only to arrive from afar to find no property was available. 60 yo Debra Gerrish of Winter Harbor was arrested and charged with Theft by Deception and Deceptive Business Practices in those incidents.
(Winter Harbor) A Winter Harbor woman was arrested for allegedly using a vacation rental website to scam people with non-existent properties. Winter Harbor Police say on two separate incidents, they received complaints from people who had used the site and rented units at a Main Street location, only to arrive from some distances away to find no property was available. 60 yo Debra Gerrish of Winter Harbor was arrested and charged with Felony Theft by Deception and Deceptive Business Practices.
Lobster Truck Rollover
(Whitneyville) A lobster truck rollover on Route One in Whitneyville snarled traffic yesterday afternoon and had volunteers trying to get the lobsters out of the trailer into another truck. The truck was reportedly out of Machiasport. No word on a cause of that accident.
Local Politics
SW Harbor Voters Approve More Money for Sidewalk
(SW Harbor) SW Harbor voters last week said “yes” to authorizing more funds for what they hope will give them a new sidewalk along Main Street. A special town meeting was held Thursday to authorize spending an additional $800,000 on the project, which will also include storm drain and other improvements. The improvements have been a long time in coming – the town was first approved for a half million dollar grant for the projects five years ago.
Business/Economy
Specialty Crop Block Grants
(Augusta) From potato production to wild blueberries – the USDA has announced nearly $560,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grants funding in Maine. The grants will help the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry fund projects focused on supply, demand, infrastructure, and advance research to increase the success of farmers and food producers. Maine projects include everything from drought stress management to integrated soil improvement.
CS Solutions Pulls Out of Hampden Trash Reopening
(Hampden) CS Solutions has pulled out of the plan to reopen the shuttered Hampden trash facility. The company withdrew following an article by the Bangor Daily News that revealed its roots in a New Hampshire-based investment company that pledged to reopen the Katahdin region’s two paper mills – a pledge that reportedly failed or never materialized. The MRC will now have to develop a new reopening plan.
(Hampden) Continued headaches for the shuttered Hampden Trash facility that left more than 100 municipalities hanging when it closed two years ago due to financial problems. The Municipal Review Committee assumed ownership the end of June, with plans to utilize CS Solutions as the facility’s operator. But a Bangor Daily News article shed light on the company’s alleged failure to revitalize paper mills in the Katahdin region more than a decade ago. As a result, CS Solutions has withdrawn, forcing the MRC to have to develop a new reopening plan.
Health
Beth C. Wright kicks off Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
(Ellsworth) The Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center in Ellsworth is marking September by bringing awareness to Ovarian and Gynecological Cancer. The month-long campaign will feature weekly awareness tips on the most common female cancer in the U.S., along with a focus on educational awareness. The Center says early detection is the best chance to treat and keep cancer in check. Contact Beth C. Wright in Ellsworth to learn more.
Education
COA Opens Housing in NE Harbor
(NE Harbor) College of the Atlantic this month plans to open a facility that offers both residential and retail space. The housing unit on Main Street in NE Harbor provides living space for 15 students, a staff/faculty apartment, and the new Salt Market, featuring local produce, flowers and bread, prepared foods and soups, coffee drinks and more.
Honey Bee Offers Free Coffee for Educators
(Sullivan) As RSU 24 staff head back to school tomorrow, the Honey Bee Café in Sullivan is offering a free medium hot or iced coffee for teachers and support staff on their first day back. The offer will be good again on September 12th, when the District opens the doors of the new Charles M. Sumner Learning Campus to grades 6-12.
Environment
Efficiency Maine to Expand EV Charging Access to Rural Areas
(Maine) Efficiency Maine plans to expand electrical charging stations in Maine’s rural communities. The group tells NewsCenter Maine rural communities are a huge priority. Charging stations are planned at restaurants, hotels, and parking lots for all to use, with funding provided by the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan and the Nature Conservancy. Any community outside York and Cumberland counties qualifies for the program, excluding Lewiston, Auburn, and Bangor.
Great White Spotted in Lubec
(Lubec) A Great White Shark was spotted on the inside of Rogers Island inside Cobscook Bay this weekend. James Robbins, Jr. reports he was in his 14 foot skiff when he saw the shark swimming along the low water mark. Robbins, Jr. posted on the Lubec Community Bulletin Board the shark was much bigger than his skiff – he estimated it at about 18 feet long. A marine patrol officer reported a seal was killed at Mowery Beach in August.
(Lubec) There’s been another Great White Shark sighting near Lubec. James Robbins, Jr. reports he was in his 14 foot skiff when he spotted the shark swimming along the low water mark on the inside of Rogers Island inside Cobscook Bay. Robbins, Jr. estimated the shark at about 18 feet – much bigger than his 14-foot skiff – and said he was told by a marine patrol officer a seal was killed at Mowery Beach in August.
Waters Tested After Three Dogs Sickened in Cumberland.
(Cumberland) After three dogs became sick, two of whom had to be euthanized, scientists tested the Twin Brook Recreational Facility in Cumberland for toxic blue green algae. The tests have come back negative. Now officials are scrambling to come up with answers for the dogs’ illnesses. A water advisory remains in effect while the town continues to test. Blue green algae occurs naturally, but can become toxic in hot weather.
Infrastructure
Paving Projects Continue in Lubec
(Lubec) Paving prep projects continue in North Lubec tomorrow and Wednesday. Town Administrator Renee Gray tells Star 97.7, Public Works crews will be replacing culverts on certain roads in preparation for the paving. The affected roads will be shut down at times to all traffic except emergency vehicles for up to 45 minutes each culvert. In order to help residents plan ahead, staff at the town office notified homeowners in the affected areas by phone, signs were posted, and information shared on the Town of Lubec FB page.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Triple AAA Surveys Travelers
(Undated) A Triple A report shows 66% of those surveyed said they traveled less this summer than normal, with 80% saying they cut back to save money. Still, many say they’re planning trips after Labor Day to make up for the cutbacks. Of those traveling this weekend, 82% plan to travel by automobile – so be careful and alert, and PATIENT on the roads today.
Ghost of Paul Revere Releases Final Album
(Maine) The popular group “The Ghost of Paul Revere” has released a final album. The group announced this spring it would be disbanding. Group members had become popular nationwide, after forming a band in 2011. The members all met while attending southern Maine schools as children. Their last concert was Saturday. The album, entitled “Goodbye”, is available on most streaming services, according to the Portland Press Herald.
House Beautiful Lists Two Maine Islands as Magical Getaways
(MDI) House Beautiful recently listed two Maine islands among the most magical vacation islands in the United States. It’s no surprise Mount Desert Island was among the 32 named. But the writers also cited Bailey Island, which sits about 15 miles south of Brunswick. The article said the three mile long island is brimming with fantastic views, lobster shacks, and beaches.
(MDI) House Beautiful lists two islands in Maine as among the country’s most magical vacation islands in the U.S. It’s no surprise MDI was on the list of 32 must-visit vacation sites. The magazine also highlighted tiny Bailey Island, a three-mile stretch that sits about 15 miles south of Brunswick. The writers described the island as lobster shack, beach, repeat, and noted its fantastic views, the iconic Bronze Fisherman statue, and the prominence of the many fishing and lobster boats drifting off shore.
Penguin Fitted with Orthopedic Shoes
(CNN) Lucas is looking fine in his tux these days after he was fitted with custom orthopedic shoes. Lucas is a penguin at the San Diego Zoo who received the shoes to provide relief against a chronic condition known as bumblefoot. CNN reports the four year old first developed a spinal infection that prevented him from walking properly, but he’s now showing a much more normal gait with no limping.
Woman Gets Stuck Upside Down at Gym
(Berea, Ohio) Never work out alone at the gym – especially at 3 in the morning. CNN reports a woman found herself in an embarrassing situation and had to call 9-1-1 after she got stuck upside down in a back decompression machine. Christine Falls was able to use her smart watch to call for help after she was unable to right herself while working out at the 24-hour Powerhouse Gym in Berea, Ohio. A video captured the embarrassing situation – an officer arrived minutes after the call to rescue her from the 12-minute ordeal. Christine was a good sport about posting the video, but says she’s not likely to use the inversion table on her next visit, at least not without a buddy nearby!
Deaf Dog Rescued From Fall into Ravine
(CNN) A California family is calling it a miracle after their little deaf dog was rescued by emergency responders after falling 100 feet into a ravine. CNN reports Hobo, an eight year old Australian Shepherd, was out walking with his owner when he darted after something, lost his footing, and tumbled down the cliff. Five rescuers spent four hours rappelling into the steep depth where they found the arthritic little Hobo entangled in some really thick brush that was reportedly difficult even for the rescuers to navigate. They say the pup was all wiggles when he was finally freed, and the rescuers said it reminded them of why they come back day after day to do what they do.
Sports
Red Sox with a four-game sweep against the Texas Rangers. Final score yesterday 5-2. The Red Sox begin a series against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Pete this afternoon (4:10).