Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
9/11 Remembrance
(Undated) We all remember where we were and what we were doing. Twenty two years ago, nineteen terrorists from al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes and deliberately crashed two into the upper floors of both towers of the World Trade Center, a third plane into the Pentagon. Passengers on the fourth plane, Flight 93, fought back, and the plane crashed in an empty field in western Pennsylvania, just minutes from the nation’s capital. The attack killed close to 3,000 people, including 441 brave first responders. We said we would never forget, and we’re all keeping that promise today.
(Undated) Twenty two years ago today, one of the nation’s worst tragedies drew us together as a nation. On September 11, 2001, nineteen terrorists from al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes and deliberately crashed two into the upper floors of both towers of the World Trade Center, a third plane into the Pentagon. Passengers on the fourth plane, Flight 93, fought back, and the plane crashed in an empty field in western Pennsylvania, minutes from the nation’s capital. The attack killed close to 3,000 people, including 441 brave first responders. We made a promise that day to never forget.
Lighthouse Walkway Collapse
(Arrowsic) A walkway collapsed Saturday during the popular annual lighthouse tour, causing injuries to 11 people, five of whom were hospitalized. The incident happened at the Doubling Point Lighthouse in Arrowsic, which is an active Coast Guard beacon owned and managed by Friends of Doubling Point Lighthouse. The break happened during low tide, which caused those on the walkway to fall 8 to 10 feet onto a rocky mudflat.
(Arrowsic) A planned lighthouse tour ended in some frightening moments when a wooden walkway collapsed Saturday at the Doubling Point Lighthouse in Arrowsic. The break, which occurred at low tide, sent 11 people tumbling 8 to 10 feet onto the rocky mudflats below. Five of the victims were hospitalized. The lighthouse is owned and managed by Friends of Doubling Point Lighthouse and is an active Coast Guard beacon.
City of Ellsworth Adds New Addition to Fire Department Fleet
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Fire Department is sporting a new member – a spiffy new ambulance known as Rescue One. Last month, the Department was granted a license to transport patients at the Basic EMT level, with permission to provide Advanced Level care. City Council members voted unanimously to begin using Rescue One as a transport service in Ellsworth. Officials say having a city-owned and operated ambulance is a major milestone that will allow them to better serve the community with top-notch medical care.
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Fire Department is seeing red – as in its spiffy new ambulance known as Rescue One. Last month, the Department was granted a license to transport patients at the Basic EMT level, with permission to provide Advanced Level care. City Council members voted unanimously to begin using Rescue One as a transport service in Ellsworth. The city says having the city-owned and operated ambulance is a major milestone that will allow them to better serve the community with top-notch medical care.
Hancock County Sheriff Gets “New” Deputy
(Ellsworth) Hancock County Sheriff Scott Kane has a new chief deputy, although he’s anything but new to the department. Jonathon Mahon retired from the Maine State Police force in 2006 and has been with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department for a little more than a year. He’ll fill a position left vacant in May, when former Chief Deputy Corey Bagley went on leave. Bagley formally retired from the department last month and is now working as a detective with the Ellsworth Police Department. Mahon officially begins his new duties on September 16th.
(Ellsworth) A familiar face will soon fill the role of Chief Deputy with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Jonathan Mahon has been with the Sheriff’s Department a little over a year, and brings extensive experience. He previously worked with the Maine State Police and the Ellsworth Police Department, has served on Ellsworth City Council, and served as Emergency Communications Director for Hancock County. Mahon will officially join Hancock County Sheriff Scott Kane in the Deputy Chief role on September 16th.
Economy
Eastport to Welcome Record Number of Cruise Ships
(Eastport) While the town of Bar Harbor grapples with managing summer cruise ship traffic, the small city of Eastport is throwing out the welcome pier for a record 15 cruise ship visits this fall. The city’s shops and eateries say they welcome the added economic boost. Eastport boasts a 400 foot deep water pier that can accommodate ships up to 800 feet in length.
(Eastport) The city of Eastport sits across from Roosevelt’s Campobello Island; and with Lubec and Quoddy Head Light nearby, is fast becoming a tourist destination – including a docking point for cruise ships. This fall, the town is set to welcome 15 cruise ships, including the Pearl Mist with its 200 passengers, expected to dock today. That’s a record number, and the city’s shops and eateries say they look forward to the economic boost such visits will bring.
Education
More Schools Move to Ban Use of Cell Phones During School Day
(Westbrook) Westbrook and South Portland are the newest districts to fully ban cellphone use for students in grades 5 through 8. NewsCenter Maine reports the policy applies to students for the entire school day, including recess and class breaks. Smart watches are prohibited as well. Lewiston was the first district to implement the rule, banning cellphone use for pre-K through 8th grade, beginning last year. Students in a Lewiston leadership group say they wish the practice was extended to the high school. They say the ban means an end to the day-long distraction of messaging and that it has largely cut down on bullying.
(Westbrook) The daylong distractions of constant messaging, easy opportunities for bullying and cheating – those are a few of the issues students and educators alike say are on the decrease, as schools move to ban cell phones during the school day. NewsCenter Maine reports the Lewiston district implemented the rule last year, banning cellphone use for pre-K through 8th grade. Westbrook and South Portland are the newest districts to implement such policies this year in grades 5 through 8. That includes recess and class breaks. As in the old days, parents can easily get a message to their child through the office if needed.
Dirigo Reads Expands
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth Schools this year will join seven other Hancock County Schools, including Lamoine, Sullivan, and Surry, participating in Dirigo Reads. The program aims to put a book in the hands of every first grader each month during the school year by 2025. Co-founder Dan Cashman tells Star 97.7, they’re excited to add a total of 17 new schools to the program this school year, bringing the number to 100, or about a third of first grade public school students in Maine.
(Ellsworth) Surry, Sullivan, Castine, Trenton, and three other Hancock County Schools already participate. This year, Ellsworth Schools will join in participating in Dirigo Reads. Co-founder Dan Cashman tells Star 97.7, the program’s goal is to put a book into the hands of every first grader every month during the school year by 2025. Seventeen new schools were added for the 2023-24 school year, covering about a third of all first grade public school students in Maine.
Health
VA to Resume Reimbursing Maine Veterans Homes
(Washington, DC) The Veterans Administration has agreed to resume reimbursing Maine Veterans’ Homes for the costs of nursing home care for veterans with dementia. The decision follows a push by Maine’s Congressional delegation. The proposal would also expand current eligibility for domiciliary care – services put in place to support an individual in his or her own home – to include veterans suffering with dementia. Maine Veterans’ Homes were losing over $100,000 a month after the DVA stopped reimbursing such care for veterans with dementia in 2020.
(Washington) After the Department of Veterans Affairs stopped reimbursing Maine Veterans Homes for domiciliary care in 2020, the homes found themselves losing more than $100,000 a month. Now, following a push by Maine’s Congressional Delegation, the VA has agreed to resume reimbursing Maine’s Veterans’ Homes for the cost of nursing home care for veterans with dementia. The proposal would also expand current eligibility for domiciliary care – services put in place to support an individual in his or her own home.
Environment
Hottest Summer on Record for Planet
(Undated) This summer was the planet’s hottest on record “by a large margin”. The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service announced the findings last week. August capped the summer’s extreme heat with a monthly average temperature of 62.3 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the second hottest month ever observed, closely following July, which was the hottest. The US National Weather Service reports last Tuesday the daily record high was broken in Caribou, Maine. Temps hit 86 degrees at 3:51 p.m., breaking the previous record of 85 degrees set in 1983 and 1999.
(Undated) If you were sweating it out last week, you were in good company … with pretty much the whole planet. The US National Weather Service reports last Tuesday the daily record high was broken in Caribou, Maine. Temps hit 86 degrees at 3:51 p.m., breaking the previous record of 85 set in 1983 and 1999. And according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, this summer was the planet’s hottest on record “by a large margin.” August was the second hottest month ever observed, closely following July, which was reported as the hottest.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Grand Mouth-Off Postponed
(Ellsworth) The Grand in Ellsworth is postponing their Mouth Off Lip Sync Battle. They say a number of businesses contacted them wanting to compete, but couldn’t get their act together by September 22nd. The event is now rescheduled for Saturday, November 4th. That gives you plenty of time to get your business or organization’s team together to mouth off. Find details online at grand online dot org.
(Ellsworth) So you were dying to mouth off, but couldn’t get your act together this month? Good news, you’re not alone. So The Grand in Ellsworth is postponing the Mouth Off Lip Sync Battle to Saturday, November 4th. Whether you see yourself as a Garth Brooks, a Taylor Swift, or a Rolling Stone, get your act together for an entertaining evening that supports the Grand. Details at grand online dot org.
Sports
The Red Sox remain at Fenway this week for a series of games against the Yankees. Red Sox wrapped up their weekend with a 7-3 win over the Orioles.
The Patriots lose their season opener against the Eagles yesterday 20-25. Former Quarterback Tom Brady reunited with former teammates in a halftime tribute. Brady is slated to be inducted into the Patriot’s Hall of Fame next summer.