Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Maine Warden Service Locates Missing Penobscot Woman
(Penobscot) The Maine Warden Service has done it again – Tuesday morning, wardens located a missing 72 yo woman from Penobscot. Spokesperson Mark Latti of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife reports to Star 97.7, Marjorie May was last seen Monday afternoon around 3:45 at her home on McCaslin Road. Wardens, K9 units and air support began searching about 8:30 p.m. and worked through the night Monday. They found May alive early Tuesday and assisted her out of the woods, where she was examined by emergency personnel and released into the care of her family.
(Penobscot) A 72 yo woman who had gone missing from her Penobscot home Monday afternoon was safely located Tuesday morning by members of the Maine Warden Service. MDIFW Spokesperson Mark Latti tells Star 97.7, Marjorie May had last been seen around 3:45 p.m. at her home on McCaslin Road. Wardens, a K9 unit and air support searched nearby woods throughout the night and located May alive early Tuesday morning, May was examined by emergency personnel and released into the care of family.
AG Frey Joins in Lawsuit Against Avid Telecom
(Augusta) No surprise, you’re not the only one fed up with those Robocalls. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against Avid Telecom. Avid reportedly sells data, phone numbers, dialing software and/or expertise to its customers to help them make mass robocalls. Between December 2018 and last January, the company allegedly sent or transmitted scam calls about Social Security, Medicare, auto warranty, Amazon, DirecTV and other scams.
(Augusta) Hold the phone … Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has joined a coalition of 51 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against Avid Telecom, a so-called robo-call provider. Avid reportedly sells data, phone numbers, dialing software and/or expertise to its customers to help them make mass robocalls. Between December 2018 and last January, the suit alleges the company sent or transmitted scam calls about Social Security, Medicare, auto warranty, credit card interest rate reduction, employment and other scams.
Almost Two Million NE Travelers Expected to Hit the Road This Memorial Day Weekend
(Undated) Nearly two million New Englanders are expected to hit the road with destinations 50 miles or more away this Memorial Day Weekend. Triple A New England says that’s a 6.3% increase from last year. Experts predict Friday, May 26th to be the busiest day on the roads and say the best times to travel by car are mornings … or evenings after 6 p.m., with the lightest traffic expected on Saturday and Sunday.
(Undated) Be prepared to hit traffic if you’re traveling this Memorial Day Weekend. Triple A New England says nationwide, about 42 million Americans are projected to hit the roads, traveling more than 50 miles away from home. That’s a 7% increase over last year. Experts predict Friday, May 26th to be the busiest day on the roads and say the best times to travel by car are mornings … or evenings after 6 p.m., with the lightest traffic expected on Saturday and Sunday.
Local Politics
Judge Dismisses Appeal in Lawsuit Against City of Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) A judge has dismissed an appeal by Ellsworth City Councilor Steve O’Halloran and others in regards to the City’s decision to lease a High Street building for a new police station. O’Halloran and a group of businesspersons had alleged the city failed to give proper public notice about the proposal before Council voted on the matter. The Bangor Daily News reports the judge ruled neither O’Halloran nor the other plaintiffs provided evidence their properties would be suitable for the police station and rejected O’Halloran’s argument that the decision somehow harmed his ability to faithfully discharge his duties as an elected official.
(Ellsworth) A judge has dismissed an appeal filed in regards to the City of Ellsworth’s decision to lease a High Street building for a new police station. The Bangor Daily News reports Councilor Steve O’Halloran and others had alleged the city did not give proper public notice about the proposal before Council voted on the matter. The judge rejected O’Halloran’s argument that the decision somehow harmed his ability to faithfully discharge his duties as an elected official and said neither O’Halloran nor the other plaintiffs provided evidence their properties would be suitable for the police station.
Economy
Versant Agrees to Delay Rate Increase
(Hallowell) Versant Power has agreed to delay half its next rate increase until January. The delay, if approved by regulators, would ease the impact of Versant’s distribution rate request by raising rates to utility consumers in two steps – smaller increases of about $5 a month in both July and January, rather than all at once. A recent drop in natural gas prices worldwide could mitigate cost increases even further, as that factor could lead to a decrease in standard offer supply rates at the beginning of next year.
(Hallowell) Regulators must approve, but Versant Power has agreed to delay half its next rate increase until January. The move would ease the impact of the company’s distribution rate request by dividing the increase into two increments – one in July and one in January – rather than all at once. The average utility consumer would see an increase of about $5 per month with each increase. The split would also allow time for an anticipated decrease in standard offer supply rates expected in January, due to a recent drop in worldwide natural gas prices.
Bar Harbor Tackles Workforce Housing Shortage
(Bar Harbor) To tackle the shortage of workforce housing, the town of Bar Harbor changed its zoning ordinance to allow the construction of employee living quarters. MaineBiz reports Witham Family Hotels has been awarded the first permit under the new rule. The major hotelier is proposing the construction of employee living quarters on site at the company’s Atlantic Oceanside Hotel. The accommodations will have 16 furnished bedrooms and will house a maximum of 16 employees, with the building constructed as a duplex. Each section will have shared bathrooms, a community kitchen and washers and dryers provided.
(Bar Harbor) A major Bar Harbor hotelier will be the first to benefit from a zoning ordinance change, designed to address a shortage of employee housing in the tourist town. MaineBiz reports David Witham, owner of Witham Family Hotels, submitted the application to build employee accommodations on site at the company’s Atlantic Oceanside Hotel. A building constructed as a duplex will include 16 furnished bedrooms, shared bathrooms, a community kitchen, and will have washers and dryers provided. Council recently awarded Witham the permit, the first of its kind for Bar Harbor.
Environment
Deadline Approaching for Green Ellsworth Summer Intern Applications
(Ellsworth) Don’t forget this Friday is the deadline to apply for Green Ellsworth’s 2023 Summer Internship Program! Those who successfully complete their 4 – 8 week internship will receive a scholarship of at least $1200. We’ve posted details and how and where to apply on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(Ellsworth) If you’re a high school or college student interested in a possible $1200 scholarship, you’ll want to apply for Green Ellsworth’s 2023 Summer Internship Program. We’ve posted all the details on how and where to apply on our Star 97.7 FB page – but don’t delay. Deadline to apply is this Friday, May 26th.
Protecting Maine Forests
(Augusta) Many people can’t wait for camping season, but the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry is asking campers to help address a critical risk posed by the spread of invasive species. Pests such as the Emerald Ash Borer destroy trees and can easily be spread to new locations through contaminated firewood carried by vacationers and campers. Once introduced, such beetles can devastate forest habitats. MDACF says it’s critical to source firewood locally.
(Augusta) Help arrest the spread of the pest. Vacation season is here, and that means camping and campfires. Firewood that’s not locally sourced can contain invasive species such as the Emerald Ash Borer and others that can devastate forest habitats. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry reminds locals and vacationers alike to use only locally sourced firewood or explore heat-treated options from reputable in-state vendors. Find a list at firewood scout dot org.
Maine DEP Seeks Public Input on Solid Waste and Recycling
(Augusta) The Maine DEP is seeking your input as part of its review of the state’s Solid Waste and Recycling Plan. In January, the state agency will release its most recent revision, which is mandated every five years. The DEP will be hosting a series of five regional meetings as part of the process. They’ll take place starting in late June through early August at the University of Maine and University of Southern Maine campuses.
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is looking for public input as part of its review of the state’s Solid Waste and Recycling Plan. A revision is mandated every five years, with the most recent revision to be released in January. Between late June and early August, the DEP will host a series of regional meetings as part of the process. The five scheduled meetings will be held at the University of Maine and the University of Southern Maine campuses.
Human Interest
Pink Tulip Festival and Plant Sale
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth will be “in the pink” once again this year, as the Ellsworth Garden Club hosts the Pink Tulip Festival and Plant Sale. The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 3rd, from 9 to 1 at the Donald Little Park on State Street. Just in time for planting, the sale will feature a wide selection of perennials, annuals, vegetable seedlings, herbs, trees, roses, shrubs and houseplants. The sale will benefit the Club’s Little Park Endowment Fund and the Beth C. Wright Cancer Center.
(Ellsworth) It will be a blooming good time again this year, as the Ellsworth Garden Club hosts the Pink Tulip Festival and Plant Sale. The event will feature a wide selection of plants, including a good selection of native and pollinator plants, with seedlings grown by club members and teachers and students from the Ellsworth Elementary Middle School. The sale, scheduled for Saturday, June 3rd, from 9 to 1 at the Donald Little Park on State Street, will benefit the Club’s Little Park Endowment Fund and the Beth C. Wright Cancer Center.
Brown, Holmes & Milliken Agency Receives Prestigious Recognition
(Ellsworth) Congratulations to the Brown, Holmes & Milliken Agency. They were recently named to the Hanover Insurance Group’s President’s Club, an elite group of independent insurance agencies from across the country. It’s the third consecutive year Brown, Holmes & Milliken has received the honor. The Hanover partners with a select group of independent agents nationwide and only 5% are recognized with the distinction.
(Ellsworth) For the third consecutive year, the Brown, Holmes & Milliken Agency has been named to The Hanover Insurance Group’s President’s Club. Co-owner Patrick Maguire credits the honor to his employees, who he says are local people committed to caring for the communities they serve. The Hanover partners with a select group of independent agents nationwide and only 5% are recognized with the distinction.
Sports
The Celtics stay in the game for now with last night’s 116-99 win over the Miami Heat. Game 5 tomorrow in Boston. Celtics now down 3 games to 1.
The Angels shut out the Red Sox last night in LA 4-zip. Boston has one more game in LA tonight.