Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Click It or Ticket
(Augusta) With the busy Memorial Day holiday on the horizon, the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety is reminding drivers to “click it or ticket”. They say summer means more motorists, including visitors from out of state, driving on Maine roads. One way to protect yourself and your passengers in the event of a crash is to ensure everyone is buckled up and riding in an age-appropriate child safety seat. And they remind consumers to never buy or sell a used car seat, as your precious cargo deserves the safest ride.
(Augusta) In 2021, there were nearly 12,000 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in the U.S. That grim statistic is behind this week’s safety reminder to “Click it or Ticket”. The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety is urging drivers to buckle up, no excuses. The busy summer season kicks off this Memorial Day weekend, and they remind folks that means more motorists on the road, including visitors from out of state. Officials say no matter what type of vehicle you drive or what roads you drive on, the best way to stay safe in case of a crash is to wear your seatbelt.
Waterville Apartment Fire
(Waterville) One person died and at least three others were injured Monday when a senior housing complex in Waterville caught fire. WABI-TV reports Waterville Fire was toned out about 5:40 yesterday morning and found smoke coming from a unit on the fourth floor. The fire was reportedly contained to one unit, although it did spread to a hallway. As crews searched the unit, they found a person unresponsive and started resuscitation efforts but were unsuccessful. No word yet on a cause of that blaze.
(Waterville) A Waterville apartment building that housed seniors and disabled persons caught fire Monday morning, leaving one dead and others injured. WABI-TV reports Waterville Fire was called out about 5:40 a.m. yesterday. Crews arrived to find smoke coming from a fourth floor unit. Upon searching the building, first responders found one person unresponsive and attempted to resuscitate, but were unsuccessful. The Red Cross and multiple other agencies were working to find housing and provide support for the residents.
Body of Missing Man Pulled From Sebasticook River
(Clinton) Authorities say a body pulled from the Sebasticook River was that of a Clinton man who was reported missing Sunday night. 51 yo Paul Trask was last seen near the river at the Old Mill Park. Police and the Maine Warden Service found the body Monday morning. They say they do not suspect foul play.
(Clinton) A body pulled from the Sebasticook River yesterday morning has been identified as 51 yo Paul Trask of Clinton. The Maine Warden Service and Police searched the area around the Old Mill Park Sunday night after Trask was reported missing. The body was found near the Pleasant Street Bridge. Authorities will investigate, but say the death does not appear to be suspicious.
Economy
Fiddlehead Business
(Presque Isle) A Presque Isle man is not just fiddle-heading around when it comes to shipping the native-to-Maine fern to markets outside of Maine. The Bangor Daily News reports Bruce McEachern had been running McEachern Fiddleheads for 40 years, but he’s been foraging edible ferns his entire life. Along with his wife, the fern entrepreneur ships 70-80% of their fiddleheads to Florida, Oklahoma … even to the Press Room restaurant in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. McEachern sells his fiddleheads locally for $4 a pound, but charges $7 a pound if shipped to other states.
(Presque Isle) Fiddleheads are springing up across Maine, and a Presque Isle man has parlayed foraging for the unfurled fronds of the ostrich fern into a business that reaches across the country. The Bangor Daily News reports Bruce McEachern and his wife ship from 70-80% of the ferns he forages to folks in the lower 48. McEachern Fiddleheads has been in business for 40 years, but interest has exploded via his FB page. McEachern sells his fiddleheads locally for $4 a pound, $7 a pound if shipped to other states.
Topsham Woman “Plays Dirty” After Losing Customer Service Job
(Augusta) The resourcefulness of Mainers is beyond amazing. A Topsham woman who was laid off from her customer service job in November decided to play dirty. The Bangor Daily News reports Melodie Kennedy ordered more than 6,000 red wigglers, to which she began feeding food waste, which the worms then turned into rich compost, free of industrial chemicals. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension program in Orono is testing the products, which Kennedy says she plans to begin selling in the next few weeks.
(Augusta) When Melodie Kenney was laid off from her customer service job in December, she decided not to wallow in the mud, but to use it to make a living. More precisely, the Topsham woman ordered more than 6,000 red wrigglers and then “wormed” her way into the compost business. The Bangor Daily News reports she feeds the crawlers food waste that is then turned into a rich compost, free of industrial chemicals. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension program in Orono is testing the products, which Kennedy says she plans to begin selling in the next few weeks.
Median Home Sale Price Hits Record High for Maine
(Maine) The median sales price for homes in Maine increased 6.21% in April, soaring to a new high of $367,500. That’s almost $7,000 higher than the previous record set last June. MaineBiz reports higher interest rates have priced some buyers out of the market, and many who could move up are choosing to stay put. The Maine Association of Realtors says additional home supply is needed across the state. Home sales in April decreased more than 30% compared to April 2022.
(Maine) The housing crisis in Maine is causing sales to plummet and prices to skyrocket. MaineBiz reports in April 2023, there were fewer than 2300 homes statewide on the market – that compares to 7,100 in April 2019. The Maine Association of Realtors says additional home supply is needed across the state. The median sales price for homes in Maine hit $367,500 last month – a record and nearly $7,000 higher than the previous record set in June 2022.
Chick-Fil-A to Close Original Location
(Undated) You can visit the original location of Dunkin Donuts, formerly Open Kettle, in Massachusetts. You can fly to Seattle and visit the original Starbucks location. But after Saturday, Inc. Magazine reports, you’ll no longer be able to order from the original Chick-Fil-A. The company opened its first store in Atlanta’s Greenbrier Mall 56 years ago, but Inc. reports the mall, like many others, has lost its anchor tenants – and foot traffic is down. All is not lost – just a bit of nostalgia. You’ll find the popular chain in 47 states and Washington, DC.
(Undated) The fast food chain that reportedly makes more money per store than any other restaurant is closing its original location. Inc. Magazine reports Chick-Fil-A opened its first store on November 24th, 1967 in the Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta. But like many malls, the Greenbriar has lost its anchor tenants and foot traffic is down. A sign at the store announced it will serve its last sandwiches on Saturday, and the restaurant’s FB page is already marked as permanently closed. But while a piece of history is lost, those famous chicken sandwiches carry on. If you have a yen for the hen, the popular chain can be found in 47 states, including Maine, and Washington, DC.
Hospitality Hires Pushes Unemployment to Record Low
(Maine) Southern hospitality has nothing on Maine. Hospitality hiring pushed Maine’s jobless rate to a new record low in April. MaineBiz reports the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 2.4% in last month, striking its lowest level since the Maine Department of Labor began keeping statistics in 1976.
(Maine) Unemployment in Maine has been below 4% for 17 straight months, the longest period on record, according to the Maine Department of Labor. MaineBiz reports hospitality hiring pushed the state’s jobless rate to a record low 2.4% in April, the lowest level since MDOL began keeping records in 1976.
Infrastructure
National Public Works Week in Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) This is National Public Works Week in Ellsworth. The Public Works Department, headed by Lisa Sekulich, maintains all the City’s properties, including City Hall, Harbor Park, the Branch Lake boat launch, five cemeteries, streets and sidewalks. It’s a lot to maintain, and there’s no shortage of complaints. But when you look around the City at the Franklin Street Parklet, Knowlton Park, and other places we enjoy, don’t forget to say thank you this week for the job well done.
(Ellsworth) Maintaining the City of Ellsworth’s streets, sidewalks, parks, cemeteries, and more is a monumental job. The Public Works Department often hears complaints when things go wrong. This might be a great week to look around at all the things they do right by maintaining what we enjoy – such as Knowlton Park, Harbor Park, the Branch Lake boat launch, and the Franklin Street Parklet. During National Public Works Week this week in Ellsworth, take notice and let them know about the jobs well done.
Human Interest
Mal Leary’s Passing
(Augusta) Known as “the dean of the State House press corps”, Mal Leary began his career in the 1970’s and was well-liked and trusted by politicians and aides – not an easy status to attain. His wife, Susan McAvoy Leary, posted on FB Sunday of his passing due to heart failure. A social hour will be held Thursday from 6-8 at Plummer Funeral Home in Augusta, with a funeral service Friday at 11. Mrs. Leary writes Mal will be cremated per his “strong wishes”, and Thursday will be a time to reminisce and share stories about the man who was synonymous with statehouse journalism.
(Augusta) The face of political reporting in Maine passed away Sunday. Mal Leary was a rarity in that he was well-liked and trusted by politicians and aides. He began his career in the 1970’s and became known as “the dean of the State House press corps. His wife, Susan McAvoy Leary, posted on FB of his passing due to heart failure. Governor Janet Mills called Leary not only a top notch reporter, but also just a good person who cared about people and loved his state. A social hour is planned Thursday from 6-8 at Plummer Funeral Home in Augusta, with a service Friday at 11. Leary was 72.
National Trails and Croquet Day at Woodlawn
(Ellsworth) Join Woodlawn on Saturday, June 3rd for National Trails and Croquet Day! With its two miles of easy, lovely trails, and the only nationally sanctioned public croquet court in Maine, Woodlawn is the perfect place to celebrate! There will be refreshments and equipment for those who want to learn and play some croquet, while the trails are always open … plus, you can play Nature Bingo as you explore. There will be prizes on tap, too! Join Woodlawn for all the fun, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 3rd!
(Ellsworth) Enjoy one of America’s pastimes from the past at National Trails and Croquet Day, Saturday, June 3rd, at Woodlawn in Ellsworth. Enjoy refreshments and equipment for those who want to learn and play some croquet. Woodlawn has the only nationally sanctioned public croquet court in Maine! Plus, the two miles of easy, lovely trails are always open, and you can play Nature Bingo as you explore. There will also be prizes to win! That’s National Trails and Croquet Day, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, at Woodlawn in Ellsworth.
Artist to Install Work at COA
(Bar Harbor) An internationally known artist will be installing his first work in Maine at College of the Atlantic this summer. Andy Goldsworthy’s site-specific installations span the globe. His project “Road Line” will consist of a continuous line of granite curbstones that will begin its journey through campus at Route 3 and draw a path to the coast of Frenchman Bay. The art form draws from the tradition of granite curbstones that edge many of the roads in East Coast towns and cities.
(Bar Harbor) Two anonymous donors are funding an acclaimed artist’s first installation in Maine at College of the Atlantic this summer. COA President Darron Collins says Andy Goldsworthy lives the COA human ecological ethos and is renowned for his site-specific installations that span the globe. The piece at COA will consist of a single continuous line of granite curbstones entitled “Road Line” and will wind from Route 3 through campus to the coast of Frenchman Bay.
Sports
Pressure is on tonight as the Celtics go into Round 3, Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat – the Heat have the advantage after winning the first three games.
Red Sox vs. Angels. Teams meet up again tonight in LA.