Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Wardens Recover Body of Missing Old Town Man
(Augusta) Maine Game Wardens have recovered the body of a missing Old Town man in Pocumcus Lake and have positively identified it as that of 62 yo Lowell Wheaton. The Maine Warden Service reports to Star 97.7, Wheaton had been missing since traveling to his camp on the lake 18 days ago. His canoe was found drifting on the lake the following day on April 28th. Multiple agencies searched by air, foot, and underwater with sonar. The body was spotted around 10 a.m. Monday by a camp owner who then called 9-1-1, and it was later recovered by the Maine Warden Service.
(Augusta) A camp owner who discovered a body in Pocumcus Lake Monday morning called 9-1-1, and the Maine Warden Service has identified it as that of missing 62 yo Lowell Wheaton of Old Town. Wheaton had not been seen since April 27th, when he left for his camp on the lake. The following day, his canoe was found drifting on the lake, prompting a massive search by wardens, Maine State Police, the Maine Forest Service, Passamaquoddy Game Wardens and others, who searched on foot, by air, and underwater using sonar.
Boat Safety Week
(Annapolis, MD) May 21-27 is Boat Safety Week, and Boat US reminds boaters to be ready to get help if you have an emergency on the water. They recommend having a VHF radio that is properly installed and registered, an emergency beacon, sound producing device, visual distress signals such as pyrotechnic flares, and a distress flag, especially on smaller vessels like kayaks. For more safety tips, visit boat u s dot com.
(Annapolis) Whether a kayak, canoe, lobster boat or larger vessel, Boat US reminds boaters to be ready for any emergency on the water. Next week is Boat Safety Week. Safety officials say having a VHF radio that is properly installed and registered is crucial. Other safeguards include having an emergency beacon, sound producing device, visual distress signals such as pyrotechnic flares, and a distress flag, especially on smaller vessels like kayaks. For more safety tips, visit boat u s dot com.
Wildfires Persist Across State
(Maine) Wildfires continue to be a concern across the state. Maine Forest Rangers worked with Jonesport Firefighters Monday to contain a quarter acre fire on Beals Island that’s being labeled suspicious. Rangers also assisted Whiting and East Machias firefighters at a wildfire on Gardner Lake Road in Whiting. That fire contained to a half acre.
(Maine) Today’s showers could help with concerns about the wildfire danger across the state. On Monday, Maine Forest Rangers and Jonesport firefighters worked to contain a quarter acre fire on Beals Island. They’ve labeled the cause of that fire suspicious. Also yesterday, Rangers assisted Whiting and East Machias firefighters at a wildfire on Gardner Lake Road in Whiting that burned about a half acre.
Local Politics
Paid Leave Faces Uncertain Future
(Augusta) Business groups and progressives are pushing back on a proposal regarding paid leave that is circulating in the Maine Legislature. The Bangor Daily News reports if passed, Maine would join 11 other states that have similar insurance programs and that fund them with payroll taxes. The proposal is reportedly less sweeping than a version liberal groups are trying to get on the 2024 ballot. It would allow up to 12 weeks of leave per year, with benefits capped at Maine’s average weekly wage, with a maximum 1% payroll tax split evenly between employers and employees in companies with more than 15 employees.
(Augusta) A proposal circulating in the Maine Legislature would add Maine to 11 other states that provide paid leave and that fund the program with payroll taxes. Business groups and progressives have reportedly expressed concerns about the proposal, although is it less sweeping than a version being pushed by liberal groups for the 2024 ballot. The bill would allow up to 12 weeks of leave per year, with benefits capped at Maine’s average weekly wage, with a maximum 1% payroll tax split evenly between employers and employees in companies with more than 15 employees.
MRC Pushes Back against LD 1660
(Augusta) Municipal Review Committee Board Director Robert Butler is leading the charge against a bill that could compromise the efforts of the 115 Maine communities to process their municipal solid waste using technologies the MRC says are proven, safe, relatively new, and in full compliance with national recycling policy. The MRC is urging the public to contact their legislators with concerns about LD 1660 that contends advanced recycling does not constitute recycling and that would subject such facilities to solid waste regulation.
(Augusta) Just as it’s on the cusp of finally reopening the shuttered Hampden trash facility, the Municipal Review Committee finds itself up against legislation that contends advanced recycling does not constitute recycling and that would subject such facilities to solid waste regulation. MRC Board Director Robert Butler says LD 1660 could compromise the efforts for the 115 Maine communities served to process their municipal solid waste using technologies the MRC says are proven, safe, and in full compliance with national recycling policy. The MRC is urging consumers to contact their legislators about the bill.
Economy
American Aquafarms’ Gouldsboro Facility Goes on Auction
(Gouldsboro) The American Aquafarms seafood processing facility in Gouldsboro is on the auction block. MaineBiz reports the Norwegian company behind the proposed farm bought the former Maine Fair Trade Lobster Facility a year ago, amidst controversy over building the aquafarms facility in Frenchman Bay, with plans to produce 66 million pounds of salmon annually. The site was listed last week as a foreclosure sale set for auction on June 15th at the site’s main complex.
(Gouldsboro) A site originally proposed for the American Aquafarms seafood processing facility in Gouldsboro has been listed as a foreclosure sale. MaineBiz reports the Norwegian firm behind the aquafarms project bought the former Maine Fair Trade Lobster facility a year ago. But controversy plagued the project, which would reportedly have produced 66 million pounds of salmon annually, but which included two 60 acre sites between Bar Harbor and the Schoodic Peninsula in Frenchman Bay. The auction is scheduled for June 15th at the site’s main complex at 200 Main Street.
Loaves and Fishes Seeks Sponsors for Darling’s Drives Out Hunger
(Ellsworth) Operating at a cost of a thousand dollars a day, the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Ellsworth receives zero government funding. The organization relies on the community to continue helping their neighbors in need. To help with the costs of food, pet food, and personal hygiene projects, the pantry and Darling’s Chevrolet invites you to their June 24th fundraiser, “Great Car, Great Cause – Darling’s Drives Out Hunger”. Tickets are on sale now, and the pantry is actively seeking business sponsors, with sponsorships starting at $250. Visit loaves and fishes ellsworth dot org.
(Ellsworth) Darling’s Chevrolet will be auctioning a 2023 Chevy Trailblazer, donated by the car company, there will be live music, food from various area chefs and eateries and more – it’s the Loaves and Fishes’ 2023 fundraiser, “Great Car, Great Cause – Darling’s Drives Out Hunger” on June 24th. The pantry serves hundreds of food insecure families each week, is volunteer driven, and receives no government funding, but relies on the generosity of the community to help their neighbors in need. The pantry is seeking business sponsors for the event, starting at just $250. To become a sponsor or for tickets, visit loaves and fishes ellsworth dot org.
Infrastructure
CMP Free to Proceed with Transmission Line
(Augusta) Opponents of Central Maine Power’s Clean Energy Corridor are throwing in the towel. WMTW reports Friday was the three-week post-verdict deadline for any appeals against a unanimous jury verdict that determined a referendum that temporarily stopped the project was unconstitutional. That clears the way for CMP to proceed with the 145-mile electricity transmission line that will transmit power from Quebec to the New England power grid, primarily serving customers in Massachusetts.
(Augusta) The trees are cleared, and now so is the path for Central Maine Power’s Clean Energy Corridor to proceed. WMTW reports the deadline has passed for any appeals against a unanimous jury verdict this month that determined a referendum that temporarily stopped the project was unconstitutional. Environmentalists and others had objected to the 53 miles of clear cutting that cleared the way for the transmission line. The Natural Resources Council of Maine and other opponents said while they disagree with the outcome, they respect the court process and will not appeal.
Construction Underway for Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton
(Trenton) After years of partnering and planning to create a welcome center and transit hub to service Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park, construction is underway at the Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton. The new facilities will include day-use parking and a 10,000 square foot visitor center. The Maine Department of Transportation is constructing the AGC in partnership with the FTA, National Park Service, and Friends of Acadia.
(Trenton) Construction is underway for the new welcome center and transit hub for Acadia National Park and the Downeast Region. The Maine Department of Transportation is constructing the Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton, that will include day-use parking and a 10,000 square foot visitor center. The project represents the culmination of years of partnering and planning to create the welcome facility, which will incorporate a geothermal heating and cooling system, rooftop solar panel array, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Human Interest
Green Ellsworth Seeks Summer Interns
(Ellsworth) If you’re a high school or university student looking to make a difference in the area of climate change and sustainability, Green Ellsworth is looking for you! They’re now accepting applications for their 2023 Summer Internship Program. Applicants are encouraged to review the Ellsworth Green Plan and identify areas they’d like to take on with community service during a 4-8 week internship. Those who successfully complete internships will receive scholarships of at least $1200. We’ve posted more information, including how to apply, on our Star 97.7 FB page – deadline is May 26th.
(Ellsworth) Make a difference in the area of climate change and earn up to $1200 in scholarships. Green Ellsworth is accepting applications now through May 26th for 2023 summer interns to work making a difference in climate change and sustainability. The internships are 4-8 weeks and based on areas high school or university students would like to take on with community service after reviewing the Ellsworth Green Plan and its appendices. We’ve posted information on how and where to apply on our Star 97.7 FB page. Deadline to apply is May 26th.
Sports
Red Sox vs. Mariners – the Red Sox crushed by the Mariners last night 10-1. Teams at bat again this evening in Boston.
Celtics begin Round 3 of the NBA playoffs with Game 1 against the Heat in Boston on Wednesday.