Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Gouldsboro Driver Summonsed for Multiple Infractions
(Sullivan) No insurance, no current inspection, and no registration – those added up to no more driving for a Gouldsboro man over the weekend. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department reports officers conducted a traffic stop on Route One in Sullivan late Saturday evening and found 30 yo Tyler Whitaker of Gouldsboro driving a vehicle without the proper requirements. Whitaker was summonsed for Criminal Speed and his vehicle towed from the scene.
(Sullivan) A traffic stop on Route One in Sullivan on Saturday resulted in triple trouble for a Gouldsboro man. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department tells Star 97.7, officers stopped 30 yo Tyler Whitaker of Gouldsboro during the late evening hours and found his vehicle was uninsured, uninspected, and unregistered. Whitaker was summonsed for criminal speed. His vehicle was towed from the scene.
Teen Stopped for Excessive Speeding
(Bucksport) 83 in a 50 mph zone – that’s the reported speed of a teenage driver in Bucksport last week. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports Isabella Joseph of Bucksport was stopped by police shortly before 4 p.m. last Friday. Officers reportedly clocked her speeding on the River Road in Bucksport. Joseph was given a later date to appear in Ellsworth District Court.
(Bucksport) The posted speed limit is 50 mph. The driver was clocked going 83. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports officers stopped the 18 yo female driving on the River Road in Bucksport last week after they say they clocked her going more than 30 mph over the limit. The teen was given a later date to appear in Ellsworth District Court.
EHS Wrestler Saves Life of Competitor
(Ellsworth) An Ellsworth High School wrestler is being hailed a hero after he saved a fellow competitor’s life at a meet last week. According to a post on the EHS Athletics page, Senior Grayson Mote was talking to a competitor from another school when he noticed him having difficulty talking and gasping for air. Mote attempted the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the food stuck in the athlete’s throat, then got the attention of Coach Sam Hughes, who was able to successfully get the morsel dislodged.
(Ellsworth) Not all heroes wear capes – at least one wears an Ellsworth High School wrestling uniform. A post on the EHS Athletics page recounts how Senior Grayson Mote was at a meet in Calais a week ago, when he noticed a competitor from another school was struggling to talk and gasping for air. Mote attempted the Heimlich maneuver, then got the attention of Coach Sam Hughes, who also performed the Heimlich, successfully dislodging a morsel of food stuck in the struggling athlete’s throat. There’s certainly no wrestling with the fact Mote and Hughes are lifesavers.
Local Politics
Secretary of State Poised to Rule on Trump’s Eligibility for Primary Ballot
(Augusta) Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is expected to make a decision this week on whether or not Donald Trump is eligible to be on the Maine Presidential primary ballot. WABI-TV reports Bellows was originally supposed to deliver the ruling on Friday, but delayed her decision in order to give the three challenging Trump’s eligibility time to file supplements to their legal briefs. That, in response to a ruling last week by the Colorado Supreme Court to remove Trump from their primary ballot, agreeing with filers there that Trump had violated the 14th Amendment.
(Augusta) More than 30 states are reviewing challenges to former President Trump’s eligibility to appear on their state’s primary ballots. Last week, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled Trump had violated the 14th amendment in inciting insurrection and would not be on that state’s ballot. Objections there were filed by members of the Republican Party. In Maine, three petitioners from both the Democratic and Republican Parties have filed objections and were given time last week to file supplements to their legal briefs following the Colorado ruling. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is expected to rule on the matter this week.
Waldoboro Seeks to Clarify Meaning of “Residence”
(Waldoboro) With a growing number of people living in campers, tents and similar structures, the Waldoboro Select Board hopes to address the issue of what constitutes a “residence” … as well as the growing number of citizen complaints against such accommodations. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the Select Board hopes to create an ordinance to address such safety and sanitary issues as portable heaters, non-standard electrical connections, and a lack of approved sanitary facilities. Board members faced tough issues regarding those who would be homeless without the semi-permanent structures. A proposed amendment includes a limit of 120 days for campers, RV’s, tents, tiny homes and other such structures, along with requiring smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
(Waldoboro) Do you turn a blind eye to safety and sanitation or turn OUT people into the cold? That was one of the tough questions facing the Waldoboro Select Board as they attempted to address the growing number of persons living in campers, tents and other such structures. The Pen Bay Pilot reports citizen complaints about such living conditions included fire hazards in such dwellings such as portable heaters, and a lack of approved sanitary facilities. The board drafted an amendment limiting dwelling in campers, RVs, tents, tiny homes, and other such structures to 120 days. And they’ll require such shelters to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers, among other safety features.
Economy
Minimum Wage Increases on Monday
(Maine) There will be a little something extra for many workers across Maine when they head back to their jobs on Monday. Effective January 1, the state minimum wage will increase from $13.80 to $14.15 an hour. Maine law, amended by a citizens’ referendum in 2016, requires annual adjustments to the minimum wage based on the regional cost of living index, which rose 2.4% last year. The new tip wage increased to $7.08 per hour. In addition, those employers must be able to show employees receive at least the minimum wage when combined with tips at the end of the week.
(Maine) Minimum wage is going up on Monday. Beginning January 1st, the state minimum wage will increase from $13.80 to $14.15 per hour. Maine law requires annual adjustments to the minimum wage based on the regional cost of living index, which rose 2.4% last year. The new tip wage will increase to $7.08 per hour, and employers must be able to show employees receive at least the minimum wage when combined with tips at the end of the week.
Leadership Hancock County
(Ellsworth) Every leader wants to be at his or her most effective – experts say that only happens for those who continually grow and challenge themselves. It’s one of the reasons behind the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Hancock County. Participants spend mornings reviewing current leadership issues, learning culture and more, with afternoons spent focusing on economic sectors or issues faced by Hancock County, the state, and the country. The program runs through the winter months. Deadline to register for this year’s opportunity is January 11th.
(Ellsworth) Close to 200 leaders representing more than 50 Hancock County businesses have benefited from the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Hancock County. Cohorts meet from January to May and spend mornings reviewing current leadership issues, learning culture and more, with afternoons spent focusing on economic sectors or issues faced by Hancock County, the state, and the country, helping leaders become the best of the best. Deadline to register for this year’s opportunity is just two weeks away on January 11th.
Education
Hancock Grammar School Fundraising for New Playground
(Hancock) Is 30 too old to swing, slide, or jump across the bars on the playground? Of course not, but it’s ancient when it comes to playground equipment. At Hancock Grammar School, some of that three-decades-old equipment is unsafe to the point it’s cordoned off with caution tape. The school is fundraising to replace the aging structures. The cost of the project is estimated to be about $105,000. Anyone wishing to contribute can contact Principal Adam Gray at the school.
(Hancock) Some of Hancock Grammar School’s 170 or so students have been barred from using the playground. Not because they did anything wrong, it’s simply that some of the three-decades-old equipment has become worn to the point of being unsafe. Sixth through eighth graders are no longer allowed to use the equipment, and some of it is behind yellow caution tape. The school hopes to raise $105,000 to replace the aging playground equipment. If you’d like to help with fundraising or to contribute, contact Principal Adam Gray.
Environment
Storm Delays Vote to Limit Gas Vehicles
(Augusta) Last week’s storm not only knocked out power to thousands, it also knocked out the potential rollout of regulations to drastically cut gas-powered vehicle sales by a year. Environmental regulators had to delay a key vote set for December 21, due to the widespread power outages. That means the proposed rules must be amended to go into effect for vehicles in the 2028 model year instead of 2027. The proposal would eventually require 82% of new vehicles sold to be considered zero emissions by the 2032 model year.
(Augusta) A dozen states have already signed onto California’s standards for boosting electric vehicle sales and reducing traditional vehicle sales to meet climate goals. But the powerful December storm delayed a key vote on the matter that was set for December 21st here in Maine, due to the widespread power outages. The delay means the proposed rules must be amended to go into effect for vehicles in the 2028 model year instead of 2027. The proposal would eventually require 82% of new vehicles sold to be considered zero emissions by the 2032 model year.
Human Interest
Scientists Brew Up the “Perfect Cup of Coffee”
(CNN) Just add water. That, say scientists, is the answer to brewing the perfect cup of coffee. CNN reports some coffee connoisseurs are known to add a little “agua” to the beans before grinding them. Scientists at the University of Oregon tested the technique and found adding water helped prevent microscopic “clumps” of coffee, giving it a more consistent, satisfying flavor.
(CNN) Had that first cup of morning coffee yet? Coffee connoisseurs, in an attempt to clean up the messy grinding process, may have spilled the beans on making the perfect cup of joe. They say grinding coffee beans actually creates dust, and the friction makes particles of ground coffee repel each other. The solution? Just add water. Scientists at the University of Oregon found adding a bit of water when grinding beans helped prevent dust and friction, while also preventing microscopic “clumps” of coffee from forming, leaving that all-important flavor behind.
Sports
Congratulations to MDI girls’ basketball coach, Brent Barker, who picked up his 250th win Saturday as the Trojans defeated Caribou.
Bruins in Buffalo tonight to skate against the Sabres. Celtics have another night off, recovering from their West Coast tour.
High School basketball today – the George Stevens girls take on Woodland at 1; the Sumner Lady Tigers up against Calais. The MDI Boys face off with Houlton at 4:30, and the Narraguagus boys and girls hit the hardwood against Deer Isle/Stonington this evening.