Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
National Police Week
(Ellsworth) This is National Police Week, a time to honor and remember law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Also a great time to show appreciation for the work police officers do every day in service to our schools, businesses, and individuals. A huge thanks to the officers that serve Ellsworth and all of coastal Maine.
(Ellsworth) A big thank you this week to police officers in Ellsworth and all across coastal Maine. May 14-20 is National Police Week, a time to honor and remember law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Also a great time to show appreciation for the work police officers do every day in service to our schools, businesses, and individuals.
Ellsworth Fire Department Awarded Million Dollar Grant
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Fire Department is “fired up” about a grant for its Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Program. The Ellsworth American reports the $1.2M grant will benefit not only Ellsworth but six surrounding communities – Dedham, Trenton, Lamoine, Mariaville, Hancock and Orland. The money will support the departments with increasing training and maintaining the number of front-line firefighters.
(Ellsworth) Several Hancock County fire departments are burning with excitement with news the Ellsworth Fire Department has been awarded a $1.2M grant for its Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Program. The Ellsworth American reports the money will support not only the Ellsworth department, but six surrounding communities – Lamoine, Hancock, Trenton, Dedham, Mariaville, and Orland – with increasing training and maintaining the number of front line firefighters.
BBB Warns of New Scam
(Undated) The Better Business Bureau is warning homeowners of a new scam. They say consumers may receive a letter appearing to come from their mortgage company and claiming their home warranty must be renewed. However, the BBB says look for the fine print at the very bottom of the letter. There, you’ll likely find the disclosure, “Not all consumers have previous coverage. We are not affiliated with your current mortgage company.” The BBB compares the scam to those extended car warranty calls.
(Undated) First it was those extended car warranty calls. Now, the Better Business Bureau is warning homeowners of a similar scam involving their home warranty. The letter appears to come from the owner’s mortgage company. But at the very bottom of the communication, in fine print, a disclosure reads, “Not all consumers have previous coverage. We are not affiliated with your current mortgage company.” They say if you call, you won’t be dealing with your mortgage company and will have given money and personal information to a company that employs deceptive advertising techniques.
Local Politics
Bottle Bill Program
(Augusta) Maine lawmakers are looking at ways to modernize and strengthen the state’s 45 yo bottle bill program. WMTW reports roughly three-quarters of drink containers sold in the state are recycled, but manually sorting them by brand causes an undue burden on redemption centers. Two bills would focus on the materials rather than the brand when it comes to sorting. And beverage distributors would be required to pick up recycled bottles more than once every two weeks.
(Augusta) Lawmakers in Augusta are looking at ways to modernize and strengthen the state’s 45 yo bottle bill program. Currently, bottles must be sorted by brand – even if they are made of the exact same material. That places a heavy burden on redemption centers, which must sometimes sort between more than 300 brands. WMTW reports one bill before the legislature would focus on materials rather than brand. Another would require beverage distributors to pick up recycled bottles more than once every two weeks, which is the current standard.
Economy
With Bar Harbor Restrictions, Cruise Ships Look Elsewhere
(Bar Harbor) Eastport, Rockland, and Portland are seeing an uptick in interest from cruise ships after Bar Harbor voters last year passed restrictions on the number of passengers that could disembark each day. The Bangor Daily News reports the tourist town’s 2023 schedule remains the same for now, but cruise ships are making contingency plans for the future. Eastport Port Director Chris Gardner says interest from cruise lines looking to dock in that town has doubled, with 17 visits already planned for this year.
(Bar Harbor) Cruise ships may be stopping short of … or sailing right past Bar Harbor in the coming years, after voters last year passed restrictions on the number of passengers allowed to disembark each day. The Bangor Daily News reports although the tourist town’s 2023 schedule remains the same for now, Eastport, Rockland, and Portland are feeling the ripple effects of Bar Harbor’s decision. Other ports, including Searsport and Bucksport, have been approached as well, and are considering developing the infrastructure needed to become ports of call.
Residents Face Record Number of Utility Disconnections
(Maine) This spring, some 94,000 Mainers are facing the heat after falling behind on electric bill payments. The Bangor Daily News reports Central Maine Power has already sent out 62,000 disconnection notices, about 19% more than last year. Versant is reportedly rolling out mailings gradually and expects to send out about 32,000 disconnection notices. Rising costs have slammed many families who were already struggling to keep the lights on and put food on the table.
(Maine) It could be lights out for some 94,000 Mainers who have fallen behind on electric bill payments. Central Maine Power has reportedly sent 62,000 disconnection notices since April – about 19% more than last year. The Bangor Daily News reports Versant is rolling out its notices gradually, expecting to send out about 32,000 total. Rising costs have left many families short on resources, such as food, gasoline, and other necessities. Between November 15th and April 15th, utilities cannot cut off power without first getting permission from the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
Environment
No Credible Meteorite Pieces Found As of Yet
(Bethel) Fifty meteor-wrongs have yet to produce a meteorite. The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel says no one has yet been able to cash in on the $25,000 it’s offering the first person who produces a kilogram or heavier piece of the meteor that caused a loud boom as it fell through the atmosphere on April 8th. The Bangor Daily News reports the heavenly object pierced the skies and fell somewhere in the remote woods along the St. Croix River. The museum has reportedly received more than 50 inquiries, but so far nothing that has proven to be a meteorite.
(Bethel) Maggie Kroenke at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel says they’ve had several meteor-wrongs but so far no meteorites. After a meteorite pierced the skies above communities along the St. Croix River on April 8th, the Museum offered $25,000 to the first person who produced a piece of the meteorite weighing a kilogram or more. That’s drawn myriad meteorite hunters to the remote, heavily wooded area near Waite – a town of just 70 people. According to NASA, the meteorite was the first ever detected by radar in Maine.
Infrastructure
Water Tie-in May Slow Traffic
(Ellsworth) Crews will be working on a water tie in at 377 High Street today between Dunkin’ Donuts and Pat’s Pizza in Ellsworth. Traffic will be down to one lane between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Just a heads up, so you can plan accordingly.
(Ellsworth) A water tie in may tie UP traffic today at 377 High Street between Dunkin Donuts and Pat’s Pizza in Ellsworth. Expect one lane traffic between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. as crews work to connect water lines for an apartment complex under construction.
Frenchman Bay RSC Wins MDMR Award
(Lamoine) The Frenchman Bay Regional Shellfish Committee is one of five organizations statewide awarded MDMR grants for projects that will improve management and conservation of the state’s valuable softshell clam resource. The Maine Department of Marine Resources reports Frenchman Bay will use $3,300 to place large spawner softshell clams in cages located in Racoon Cove in Lamoine to repopulate the cove with seed clams.
(Lamoine) The Frenchman Bay Regional Shellfish Committee will use a $3,300 grant from the Maine Department of Marine Resources to place large spawner softshell clams in cages located in Racoon Cove in Lamoine to repopulate the cove with seed clams. The Committee was one of five entities from around the state awarded grants by MDMR for projects that will improve management and conservation of the state’s valuable softshell clam resource.
Human Interest
FDA Gives Ok for Pups to Come Along for Dinner
(AP) Sit. Stay. Eat. Take that handsome dog out to dinner. The U.S. Government has given two paws up to restaurants that want to allow pet dogs in their outdoor spaces. The FDA’s updated food code says restaurants can have pups in outdoor areas, providing they get approval from local regulators. They say restaurants should have plans to provide separate food bowls and to deal with pet waste.
(AP) Your favorite pooch may no longer have to whine while you dine. Just in time for summer, you can now take that “good boy” or girl out to dinner. The FDA’s updated food code says restaurants can have pups in outdoor areas, providing they get approval from local regulators. They say restaurants should have plans to provide separate food bowls and to deal with pet waste. So YOU get the wine and they get to dine … with you.
Heart of Ellsworth Recognized as Main Street America Affiliate
(Ellsworth) Heart of Ellsworth has done it again. Having met rigorous performance standards, they’ve been designated as an Affiliate of Main Street America. The honor recognizes a town’s commitment to creating meaningful improvements to their downtowns using preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street approach. Worth noting, when Heart of Ellsworth started in 2016, the downtown area was at about 50% capacity. Today, it is full and thriving, with additional new businesses seeking close side street locations.
(Ellsworth) When Heart of Ellsworth began seven years ago, downtown was at about 50% capacity. Today shops are filled, a mural displays aspects of Ellsworth’s history with an eye to the future, and a three-year Asset Mapping project recently captured top honors in a national competition. The latest recognition, announced Tuesday, has Heart of Ellsworth designated as an Affiliate of Main Street America. The honor is the result of meeting rigorous performance standards. On average, for every dollar a Main Street program spends to support its operations, it generates more than $24 of new investment back into its downtown communities.
Sports
Red Sox beat the Mariners 9-4. Teams have one more go at it tonight at Fenway.
Round 3 of the NBA playoffs kicks off tonight at TD Garden as the Celtics take on the Miami Heat.