Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Storm Update
(Maine) High winds caused downed trees to block roadways and sparked fires as they fell across electrical wires, causing multiple power outages across the state on Saturday. By 11 a.m. Saturday morning, Versant was reporting more than 450 active outages affecting nearly 36,000 customers. More than half the flights in and out of Portland International Jetport and Bangor International Airport were canceled Saturday. By the end of the day Sunday, crews expected to have restored power to 90% of those affected. Crews will be out again today assessing and cleaning up damage.
(Maine) Tropical Storm Lee blew into the Pine Tree State early Saturday, bringing downed trees, power outages, and a whole host of cancellations. While the National Hurricane Center had downgraded the storm to a Nor’easter by early Saturday morning, that was just a technicality, with the storm impacting the state with rain, wind, high surf, and rip tides. Crews were out throughout the weekend, removing debris from roadways, repairing downed lines, and warning of flooded roadways.
(Maine) President Biden on Thursday approved an emergency declaration for Maine ahead of the impacts of Hurricane Lee. The move will allow federal assistance, according to a press release from the White House. Governor Janet Mills also declared a state of emergency, allowing for the Maine Emergency Management Association to use all available resources in responding to Saturday’s storm.
(Maine) The National Hurricane Center had downgraded Tropical Storm Lee to a Nor-easter by 5 a.m. Saturday morning, but Mother Nature failed to get the message in many parts. Downed trees and wires meant thousands were without power, while crews worked diligently to make repairs. President Biden on Thursday approved an emergency declaration for Maine ahead of the storm. The move will allow federal assistance, according to a press release from the White House. Governor Janet Mills also declared a state of emergency, allowing for the Maine Emergency Management Association to use all available resources in responding to Saturday’s storm.
Searsport Storm Death
(Searsport) A 51 yo Searsport man was killed Saturday morning when a massive fallen tree branch landed on the roof of his vehicle. It happened about 9 a.m. as the man was traveling on Route One near Prospect Street. First responders were initially hampered from reaching the scene due to a downed power line. Police performed life saving measures before transporting the victim to a hospital where he later died.
(Searsport) Saturday’s storm claimed the life of a 51 yo man from Searsport when a large tree branch fell on his vehicle as he was driving on Route One near Prospect Street. Authorities say it happened around 9 a.m. Due to a downed line, police were reportedly hampered from reaching the victim until Central Maine Power crews shut off the grid. At that point, police were able to remove the victim from his vehicle and began life saving measures. The driver was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Trees Crush Vehicles in Rockland, Moro Plantation
(Rockland) A massive tree crushed a car at a home in Rockland Saturday. With grounds already saturated and winds gusting 40-50 miles per hour or more, multiple trees were uprooted across the entire area. The Rockland incident happened on West Meadow Road. No one was injured. In Moro Plantation, a tree crashed through the front windshield of a van carrying six people as it drove on Route 11. The 23 yo driver from Ohio suffered minor injuries when the top of the tree broke off inside the van. No one else in the van was injured.
(Rockland) Saturated soils and powerful winds combined to bring down multiple trees, leading to road closures, downed power lines and outages Saturday. In Rockland, a massive tree crushed a car on West Meadow Road. No one was injured in that incident. Meanwhile, an Ohio driver traveling on Route 11 in Moro Plantation Saturday barely escaped serious injury when a large tree crashed into his van, which was carrying five other passengers. The driver saw the tree falling onto the roadway, but was unable to stop. The top of the tree smashed through the windshield, but only the driver received minor injuries.
House Republican Leader Survives Boat Capsizing
(Winter Harbor) House Republican leader Billy Bob FAULKINGHAM of Sullivan and another lobsterman survived after their boat overturned while hauling traps ahead of the storm on Friday. Winter Harbor Police Chief Danny Mitchell told WMTW the boat’s emergency locator beacon alerted authorities, and the two clung to the ship’s hull until help arrived. The 42 foot boat later sank.
(Winter Harbor) A prominent Maine Legislator survived, along with another lobsterman, when their boat overturned while hauling traps ahead of the storm on Friday. According to Winter Harbor Police Chief Danny Mitchell, House Republican leader Billy Bob FAULKINGHAM and the other crew member survived by clinging to the ship’s hull until help arrived. WMTW reports the boat’s emergency locator beacon alerted authorities to their plight. The 42 foot boat ultimately sank.
Hiram Murder-Suicide
(Hiram) A murder-suicide in Hiram last week renews the spotlight on domestic violence. Troopers on Wednesday discovered the bodies of 43 yo Stephanie Ranieri and 48 yo Chad Adams outside a home on Clemons Drive. A late week autopsy determined Ranieri’s death to be a homicide, and Adams’s a suicide. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, NextStep in Ellsworth encourages you to call.
(Hiram) Another case of likely domestic violence – this one in Hiram. Troopers were called to a home last week on Clemons Drive. There, they found 43 yo Stephanie Ranieri and 48 yo Chad Adams dead outside the home. A late week autopsy determined Ranieri had been killed, and Adams’s death was a suicide. NextStep Domestic Violence Project in Ellsworth encourages you to call if you or someone you know is a victim.
Finding Our Voices Hopes to Break Silence of Domestic Abuse
(MDI) The group Finding Our Voices is working to break the silence of domestic abuse. They’ll be hosting in-person events at MDI libraries on September 27th and October 4th. Short films will be followed by survivor led discussion. Visit finding our voices dot net to learn more.
(MDI) The group Finding Our Voices will be hosting sessions at two MDI libraries in the coming weeks. Short films will be followed by survivor led discussion. They’ll be at Northeast Harbor Library on September 27th and at the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor on October 4th. Visit finding our voices dot net to learn more.
Economy
Maine’s Minimum Wage to Increase in 2024
(Augusta) Minimum wage is going up in Maine. Beginning January 1, the state minimum wage will increase from $13.80 to $14.15 an hour in Maine. Pursuant to a citizen’s referendum in 2016, Maine law requires annual adjustments based on the Cost of Living Index. In addition, the new “tip wage” will adjust to $7.08 an hour. Employers must be able to show service employees receive at least the minimum wage when salary is combined with tips.
(Augusta) Beginning January 1, minimum wage in Maine will increase from $13.80 to $14.15 per hour. In addition, the new “tip wage” for service employees adjusts to $7.08 per hour, and employers must be able to show workers receive at least the minimum wage when combined with tips. The minimum salary threshold for exempting a worker from overtime pay increases to just over $42,000 per year, although the Maine Department of Labor cautions that’s just one of the factors used in determining whether or not a worker is exempt from overtime pay under federal or state law.
Fill the Grand – Act II a Success
(Ellsworth) That’s a wrap! In spite of Hurricane Lee bearing down on the state, the community turned out to support Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry by filling every seat at the historic Grand Theatre in Ellsworth. Your donations are beyond appreciated and can still be made at loaves and fishes ellsworth dot org. And please remember to support the wonderful Grand who opened their doors to the pantry for this crucial event – September is Annual Appeal Month for the Grand, and you can help keep those doors open at grand online dot org.
(Ellsworth) A huge shout out to the volunteers, the Grand Theatre in Ellsworth, and the many who turned out with food and donations on Friday to help Fill the Grand – Act II. Whatever your role, you helped make the production bring down the curtain on food insecurity by filling every seat and helping Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry reach their goal of raising $10,000 to help those in need in Hancock County. Standing O for all who participated and turned out to give. And please remember, September is Annual Appeal month at the Grand, the wonderful venue that opened their doors for the pantry’s event. Help them keep THEIR doors open at – grand online dot org.
Environment
29,000 Acres Protected in Piscataquis County
(Greenville) They promise fish habitat restoration efforts for native brook trout and endangered Atlantic Salmon, along with renewed public access for recreation for the first time in nearly two decades. The Appalachian Mountain Club has teamed with the Conservation Fund to purchase land known as Bernard Forest in Piscataquis County. The newly protected area encompasses nearly 29,000 acres near Greenville.
(Greenville) Close to 29,000 more acres near Greenville in Piscataquis County are now permanently protected, thanks to a purchase last week by the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Conservation Fund. It’s the second time in recent years the two nonprofits have partnered in such an endeavor. Purchase of the land known as Barnard Forest will reportedly create opportunities for public recreation, forest restoration, and sea-run fish passage at a landscape scale.
Sports
Red Sox couldn’t get a win this weekend – they lost all three games against the Blue Jays. Red Sox in Arlington tonight to run the bases against the Texas Rangers. (Globe Life Field) And the Patriots lose to the Dolphins 24-17. New England now 0 and 2. It’s the first time since 2001 New England has started the season with such a dismal showing.