Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Illegal Labor Increasingly Flowing Through Maine
(Houlton) Customs and Border Protection agents in Maine say they’re seeing a sharp increase in the flow of illegal labor in and out of Maine. Last week, federal authorities busted an elaborate human smuggling scheme in Lisbon involving more than a dozen people being housed in a single home as they worked for a Massachusetts company. MassLive reports the workers were migrants from Guatemala and Nicaragua who did not have proper documentation. The incident remains under investigation.
(Houlton) Human smuggling is becoming an increasing problem in Maine, according to Customs and Border Protection agents. Last week, agents removed 17 people, mostly migrants from Guatemala and Nicaragua who did not have proper documentation, who were living in a single home in Lisbon and working for a Massachusetts company. News outlets say in many areas of the US, children are the primary victims of the exploitive industry, sent by families acting out of economic desperation exacerbated by the pandemic.
Cutler Man Reportedly Dies in SC Plane Crash
(Cutler) A Cutler man is reported to have died in a plane crash Saturday in South Carolina. The Machias Valley News Observer reports Andy Patterson was piloting the small craft and was traveling alone when it crashed. Patterson served on the airport committee of the Machias Valley Municipal Airport and was known for his volunteer work with the airport, his church, schools and libraries, and for his popular puffin boat tours.
(Cutler) A Cutler man who served on the airport committee of the Machias Valley Municipal Airport has died in a small plane crash in South Carolina. The Machias Valley News Observer reports Andy Patterson was piloting the small craft alone on an annual trip to the Sun N Fun Air Show when it crashed. Patterson was reportedly known for his volunteer work and popular puffin boat tours. The FAA will look for a cause of the crash.
Local Politics
Deadline Approaching for Property Tax Relief
(Ellsworth) The deadline is approaching for Property Tax Relief! Saturday is the deadline for all property tax exemptions in Maine. Homeowners must apply in writing to their local tax assessors. There are two primary exemptions available to those who qualify – the Homestead Exemption and the Veterans Exemption. Contact your local town office for more information.
(Ellsworth) Deadline to apply for property tax exemptions in Maine is this Saturday. There are two primary exemptions available – the Homestead Exemption and the Veterans Exemption. Applicants who qualify can save between $475 and $575 annually. For more information, contact your local town office.
Economy
About One in Six Maine State Jobs Unfilled
(Augusta) The Bangor Daily News reports nearly one in six Maine state jobs are going unfilled. They say a number of factors are to blame, including a labor shortage, negotiations between the Mills’ Administration and the top state employees union, and the after effects of COVID-19. Be patient as those spring potholes open up – there are reportedly nearly 200 unfilled positions for workers who maintain roads.
(Augusta) From the embattled child welfare system, to road maintenance, to law enforcement. The Bangor Daily News reports nearly one in six Maine state jobs is going unfilled. Employers point to a number of factors that began with the COVID-19 pandemic. The vacancies are reportedly leading the state’s largest employee union, the Maine Service Workers Association, to push hard on the issue of pay in upcoming negotiations for a new two-year contract.
BH Chamber Hires New Executive Director
(Bar Harbor) The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce has hired Everal Eaton as its new Executive Director. Eaton comes to the island from the Chamber in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and will begin with the Bar Harbor Chamber on April 3rd.
(Bar Harbor) Everal Eaton will be the new Executive Director of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, beginning Monday, April 3rd. Eaton will transition to the island from a stint with the Chamber in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.
Loaves & Fishes Up for Chamber Award
(Ellsworth) The Loaves and Fishes new location at 137 Downeast Highway is up for the Ellsworth Chamber’s revitalization award. Voting is open through April 13th, and you can vote once per day, per device via ellsworth chamber dot org, with awards presented at the Chamber’s annual banquet on June 1st.
(Ellsworth) A vision of providing food and other services for those in need in a space that offers dignity continues to come together at 137 Downeast Highway, where Loaves & Fishes pantry patrons shop just as they would in a regular grocery store. The new facility is up for the Ellsworth Chamber’s revitalization award. Voting is open through April 13th, and you can vote once per day, per device via ellsworth chamber dot org.
Home Sales Decline in February
(Maine) Home sales were down nearly 20% in February, but it wasn’t for a lack of buyers. The Pen Bay Pilot reports a shortage of available properties was responsible for the decline. Prices in the last year have risen almost 11%, with the median home price in Maine now over $329,000.
(Maine) Prices were up, but sales were down on real estate across Maine in February. The Pen Bay Pilot reports a lack of available properties was responsible for a nearly 20% drop in sales last month. The median home price in Maine is now just over $329,000 – a jump of 10.7% in just the past year.
YWCA Purchase Land to Address Housing Needs
(Bar Harbor) The YWCA of Mount Desert Island has purchased 27 acres in Bar Harbor. The Mount Desert Islander reports the Y plans to use the land to address housing needs in the community. Few details are currently available, as the plan is in the early stages, but the project is likely to include mixed use housing and other potential uses benefiting the community. The property at 831 State Highway 3 currently has two oversized red barns and has reportedly been vacant for years.
(Bar Harbor) A parcel of land that has been vacant for years could one day provide housing relief for the community of Bar Harbor. The Mount Desert Islander reports the YWCA of MDI has purchased 27 acres that is locally known as Hamilton Station on Highway 3. The property currently houses two oversized red barns. Plans are in the early stages, so details are few; but the project will reportedly include mixed use housing and other potential uses benefiting the community.
Education
UMaine Cooperative Extension Offers Veggie Gardening 101
(Orono) Always wanted to try your hand at growing vegetables, but don’t know where to begin? University of Maine Cooperative Extension invites you to learn from the experts. Get tips on growing tomatoes, peppers, melons and more at an April 4th evening workshop. Register at extension dot umaine dot e d u to attend in person or to connect via Zoom. The program fee is offered on a sliding scale.
(Orono) Melons, tomatoes, and peppers, oh, my! Learn from the experts about how to grow them – and other fruits and veggies – in your home garden. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering a class on April 4th from 6 to 7:15. The program fee is offered on a sliding scale. Register at extension dot umaine dot e d u to attend in person or to receive a Zoom link.
Environment
ANP Visits Up in First Two Months of 2023
(Bar Harbor) The number of visitors to Acadia National Park in the first two months of 2023 showed a marked increase over the same period last year. Visits to the MDI section of the park were up 62% in January and up 21% last month. The Mount Desert Islander reports park officials as cautioning not to put too much stock in winter visitation numbers being a predictor of summer visits. They say weather conditions and other factors make predictions tentative at best. Including the Schoodic section of the park, there were just shy of 4 million visitors in 2022.
(Bar Harbor) Visits to Acadia National Park were up significantly in January and February compared to the same period in 2022. But the Mount Desert Islander reports park officials caution that’s not necessarily a predictor of summer tourism. They say winter numbers are so low, small changes can cause large percentage shifts and that weather conditions also have a lot to do with visitation numbers.
Human Interest
Linda Greenlaw to Appear on Deadliest Catch
(Surry) One of Maine’s most recognizable fishing boat captains is about to add another fin to her sailor’s cap – an appearance on the popular reality TV series “Deadliest Catch”. Linda Greenlaw lives in Surry and is an author with decades of commercial fishing experience. The Bangor Daily News writes she’ll appear as captain of one of ten Alaskan crab boats featured on the show. She’ll be only the second woman to captain a crab boat on the long-running show. The season is scheduled to begin airing next month on Discovery.
(Surry) Surry resident, author, and well-known fishing boat captain Linda Greenlaw will appear on the 19th season of the reality series “Deadliest Catch”. The Bangor Daily News reports she was in Alaska last fall to film the show, where she captains one of ten Alaska crab boats – only the second woman to do so in the show’s history. Greenlaw gained notoriety 30 years ago after she was written about in the nonfiction book “The Perfect Storm.” The season is scheduled to begin airing on Discovery in April.
Park Ranger Gets to Enjoy Woods One Last Time
(Kirkland, WA) A park ranger in Washington was losing his battle with MS but wanted to experience the woods one last time. So fellow rangers and volunteer firefighters jumped into action and took Edward Reis from his hospice care on a three hour final visit through Meadowdale Beach Park. Good News Movement reports, along the way as Reis was transported on a stretcher, the volunteers collected cedar branches for him to smell. One of the park rangers involved reports Reid smiled the entire time, expressing his happiness and gratitude for the sensory-filled experience. (goodnewsmovement)
Sports
Bruins home tonight against the Nashville Predators. The Celtics in Washington to take on the Wizards. The Red Sox lost to the Braves 6-1 in Spring Training yesterday. The teams have another go at it this afternoon. Regular season begins Thursday as the Red Sox at bat against the Orioles at Fenway.