Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Snowmobile Crash
(Greenville) A snowmobile accident in Greenville sent one woman to the hospital Saturday after she crashed into a tree. Authorities say the incident happened about 4:45 p.m. on the ITS 85 Trail after the woman failed to hit a corner and went off the trail. She was taken to a local hospital. No word on her condition.
Maine Warden Service Searching for Missing Greene Man
(Greene) The Maine Warden Service is searching for a missing Greene man who they say may have gone ice fishing. The Androscoggin Sheriff’s Department reports Adam McAllister was last seen at his home on Quaker Ridge Road on Monday. His car was left at home, and he may have left on foot. They say he had talked about going ice fishing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Augusta RCC.
Snow Causes Delays, Cancellations
(Maine) Snow snarled traffic, caused events to be canceled, and shops and businesses to be closed on Saturday. Total accumulation ranged from 10.7 inches at Seawall to 8 and a half inches in Ellsworth to just over 3 inches in Machias. The good news, this week promises warmer weather … and Spring officially arrives two weeks from today at 4:24 p.m. on March 20th.
(Maine) Tournament play went on Friday night at the Augusta Civic Center, including a thrilling Class A State Championship win by the Brewer boys, who brought home their first ever gold ball, with a 42-41 win over Falmouth. Snow snuffed out the Saturday games, including the Ellsworth Lady Eagles matchup against Spruce Mountain, now set for Tuesday at 6:05 at the Portland Expo.
Local Politics
25 Become Citizens
(Bangor) The weekend not only brought snow, but 25 new citizens of the United States who were sworn in Friday in Bangor. The new citizens represented 15 countries and came with varied stories and for various reasons – from furthering their education to seeking asylum. One woman, a native of Congo, even won a ticket to the US through the State Department Diversity Visa Program. Talk about winning the lottery.
(Bangor) Maine now has 25 new US citizens. In a ceremony Friday in Bangor, people from 15 different countries were sworn in as new citizens. They came from Congo, Ukraine, Cameroon and other places for reasons as varied as their starting points. One woman even came through a lottery system. Julia Kintiva, who was living in South Africa, won her ticket to the US. through the State Department Diversity Visa Program. Welcome.
Economy
Maine’s Lobster Catch Down From 2021 Record Haul
(Maine) Making a living from the sea can be as changeable as Maine’s weather. After a record-breaking catch in 2021, last year Maine lobstermen brought in the lowest catch in a decade. The Maine Department of Marine Resources report the 2022 catch amounted to just $389 million worth of the crustaceans – barely more than half 2021’s $725 million dollar haul. Inflation, along with the rising costs of fuel and bait, forced some to pull back from putting in the time and effort seen the year before. MDMR says last year’s price at the dock is actually more in line with the state’s average.
(Maine) Maine lobstermen hauled in nearly 98 million pounds last year. While that’s only about 10 million pounds less than in 2021, inflation, the high cost of bait, and a nearly 50% drop in prices at the dock resulted in lobstermen trapping the lowest overall financial benefits in a decade. In figures released Friday, the Maine Department of Marine Resources reports prices at the dock last year dropped to just under $4 a pound, resulting in an overall haul of $389 million dollars. That’s a 48% drop from 2021’s record $725M dollar haul.
Evergreen Home and Hearth to Relocate
(Trenton) You may have seen the signs on Route 3 just before Timber Tina’s place – Evergreen Home and Hearth plans to relocate this fall. The store currently does business at 403 High Street in Ellsworth, in a building they are renting. Owners Matthew and Susan Scott say they plan to expand in the new location, adding new products, including hot tubs and jacuzzis. The Scotts recently donated a $3,000 Jotul stove to Downeast Community Partner’s “To Warm A Winter’s Night”. The stove was auctioned off by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to benefit DCP’s THAW fund.
(Trenton) Skyrocketing oil prices have been good for the wood stove industry. With more and more people turning to wood to heat their homes, Evergreen Home and Hearth is planning an expansion. Currently renting at 403 High Street in Ellsworth, owners Matthew and Susan Scott have secured a new location on the Bar Harbor Road in Trenton near Timber Tina’s Great Maine Lumberjack Show. They say they plan to build a warehouse and add new products, including hot tubs and jacuzzis. They hope to make the move early this fall.
New Retail Building Planned in Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) An undeveloped site in the middle of Ellsworth is expected to house a coffee chain and a sub shop. The Bangor Daily News said the proposed site is in front of the Hampton Inn in a vacant lot next to Walgreens. Details on prospective tenants have not been released, but sources point to a possible Starbucks. Ellsworth City Planner Matthew Williams said the developers have not yet submitted completed plans, which will need to include a suitable traffic flow plan in and out of the site.
(Ellsworth) Three Dunkin’ Donuts, an Aroma Joe’s, and Precipice Coffee – could Ellsworth be brewing up another coffee shop to add to its menu? The Bangor Daily News reports an undeveloped site in front of the Hampton Inn and next to Walgreens could be developed into a Starbucks and a sub sandwich shop. While developers are mum on prospective tenants, signs point to the iconic coffee franchise. Starbucks devotees currently have to drive at least an hour, and the drive through line at the Bangor location is regularly backed up to the traffic light. Ellsworth City Planner Matthew Williams said developers have not yet submitted completed plans, which will need to include a suitable traffic flow plan in and out of the site.
Environment
Climate Strike
(Bar Harbor) Climate activists around the globe took to the streets Friday, demanding action on the climate crisis. Students from College of the Atlantic and several other local schools took part in the march, which began with activist Greta Thunberg and has been dubbed Fridays for Future. The MDI Strike for Climate Justice wound through the COA campus and the streets of Bar Harbor, before ending on the Village Green where marchers were treated to hot drinks, special speakers and musical performances.
(Bar Harbor) It may not seem like we’re experiencing global warming at the moment, but scientists say climate change exists. The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than most other bodies of water, and even Mainers are installing heat pumps to use as air conditioners in the summer. That’s why students from College of the Atlantic and other area schools banded together Friday as part of the MDI Strike for Climate Justice. The march was part of a worldwide youth movement dubbed Fridays for Future. Marchers ended at the Village Green in Bar Harbor to hear performances and special speakers discuss ways to slow the growing crisis.
Arsenic in Wells
(Bar Harbor) The Maine CDC says one in ten wells in the state has high levels of arsenic and other toxic contaminants. The Mount Desert Islander reports especially along the coastline, where wells are generally drilled into bedrock, the likelihood of arsenic contamination is increased. Recent water samples tested in Bar Harbor showed about 6% of wells tested exceeded the EPA’s maximum contaminant level for arsenic. Some experts say Maine’s standards for arsenic should be 1000 times stronger than currently allowed.
(Bar Harbor) Scientists say high levels of arsenic in water can lead to cancers and even cause harm to brain development in children. But some experts say Maine’s standards for arsenic in well water are woefully outdated and should be 1000 times stronger than currently allowed. The Mount Desert Islander reports of 147 water samples tested recently in the Bar Harbor area, 6% exceeded the EPA’s maximum contaminant level for arsenic. Researchers say those with poor quality drinking water should switch to bottled water or use a filtration system.
Health
MDI Lions Donate Vision Screening Device
(MDI) School nurses in the Mount Desert Island Regional School System now have a new device to test children for vision problems. The MDI Lions Club recently donated an $8,500 dollar vision screening device to the schools. In addition, the Club donated $2500 to the Mount Desert Nursing Association. MDNA says it plans to use the money to purchase wheelchairs and other aids for its loan program.
(MDI) The MDI Lions Club is “seeing” to it that children in the MDI Regional School System have the best care when it comes to vision screening. The Club recently donated an $8,500 dollar vision screening device to the schools, which nurses will use to help identify vision problems in students. The Club also donated $2500 to the Mount Desert Nursing Association, which says it will use the funds to purchase wheelchairs and other aids for its loan program.
Daylight Savings Time Hazardous to Health?
(Undated) We may be looking forward to gaining more sunlight at the end of the day, but keep in mind the change to Daylight Savings Time this coming Sunday also means losing an hours’ sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says the change can lead to accidents – they say traffic fatalities increase by as much as 6% in the days following the time change – and health complications. AASM says it’s important to get at least 7 hours of sleep nightly, so don’t wait until March 12th – adjust accordingly.
(Undated) Nobody likes losing an hours’ sleep, but according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the switch to Daylight Savings Time can lead to accidents and health complications. They say traffic fatalities increase by as much as 6% in the days following the time change. AASM says it’s important to get at least 7 hours of sleep nightly – so try to adjust accordingly and don’t wait until March 12th.
Canadians Win at Can-AM
(Fort Kent) A 68 yo Canadian woman has won the Can-Am sled dog race for the second straight year. Diane Marquis of St. Medard, Quebec crossed the finish line in Fort Kent in a time of 2:04:21. Twenty-one mushers took off Saturday to compete in the 30 mile race, including a 13 yo girl who placed 11th, and a 15 yo boy who took 5th. 17 yo Florence Shaw of Quebec took top honors in the 100-mile race.
Sports
The Ellsworth Lady Eagles go for the State Title in the Class B High School Basketball Championship Game Tuesday night at 6:05 at the Portland Expo.
Celtics in Cleveland tonight to take on the Cavs. The Celtics lost to the Knicks in a close one that went into two overtimes on Sunday – final score 131-129.
Bruins off until Thursday.