Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Police Find Remains of Missing Windham Man
(New Hampshire) Authorities say they have found the remains of a Windham man who went missing in May 2023. The remains of 34 yo Alex Jackson were found Friday in the area of Stark, New Hampshire. The cause and manner of Jackson’s death have not been disclosed, but 30 yo Joseph Chute of Leeds was charged last month with murder in the case. Chute was arrested on March 29th after a ten month investigation led authorities to suspect he was involved in Jackson’s disappearance.
(New Hampshire) 34 yo Alex Jackson of Windham was reported missing in May 2023. Although his body had not been recovered, a ten month investigation led to the March 29th arrest of 30 yo Joseph Chute of Leeds, who is charged with murder. Authorities yesterday disclosed they found Jackson’s body last Friday in the area of Stark, New Hampshire. The cause and manner of his death have not been disclosed. Chute is being held in the Androscoggin County Jail.
Suspected Arsonist in Custody
(Mount Desert) A suspected arsonist was taken into custody Monday afternoon following a house fire on Stanley Mountain Road in Mount Desert. Authorities say the fire was called in about 2 p.m. after a woman saw a man on a home security camera standing on her porch with a gas tank and lighter. Police arrived to find the home on fire, and a search began for a blue 2008 Audi. Shortly before 3:30, police found the suspect at another location on Stanley Mountain Road and took him into custody. More details expected to be released today.
(Mount Desert) A man is in custody, suspected of setting fire Monday afternoon to a home on Stanley Mountain Road in Mount Desert. The incident began about 2 p.m. yesterday when a woman reported seeing a man on her home security camera standing on her porch with a gas tank and lighter. When police arrived, they found the home on fire. Multiple agencies responded to contain the blaze. Authorities then began searching for a blue 2008 Audi. Shortly before 3:30, police found the suspect at another location on Stanley Mountain Road and took the man into custody. More details expected to be released today.
FEMA Facts
(Undated) FEMA has distributed a fact sheet to help dispel myths about funding for storm damage. They say FEMA is not running out of money; and that as long as persons apply by the May 20th deadline, qualified applicants will receive assistance. FEMA says it does not consider income when evaluating applications for Housing Assistance. However, household income does help determine eligibility for SBA long-term, low-interest disaster loans. They say FEMA assistance is not just for homeowners but may provide assistance to help renters who lost personal property or were displaced. And FEMA funding does NOT affect benefits from other federal programs such as Social Security or Medicaid and is not considered taxable income. Thanks to Senator Angus King’s office for sending us the fact sheet. More information is available by phone, online, or at your county’s Disaster Recovery Center.
(Undated) As folks continue to apply for FEMA assistance, it’s sometimes difficult to determine myth from fact. Senator Angus King’s office sent us a FEMA fact sheet to help dispel some of the misconceptions. FEMA says the money it provides to disaster survivors are grants and do not have to be repaid. Also, you can still apply for FEMA assistance, even if you’ve completed repairs. Just submit photos of the damage and receipts with your application. If you have insurance, you can apply before or after filing a claim, as long as you apply by May 20th. You just need to update your FEMA application when you receive a settlement or denial from your insurance company. Lastly, they say US Small Business Administration low-interest loans are not just for businesses, but may also cover homeowners, renters, private non-profit organizations and businesses of all sizes. More information is available by phone, online, or at your county’s Disaster Recovery Center.
MaineCF Distributes Funds to Non-profits Supporting Lewiston Recovery
(Ellsworth) The Maine Community Foundation has distributed nearly $2M to 29 non-profits supporting Lewiston recovery. The monies were received by the Lewiston Auburn Area Response Fund and were distributed evenly, with each non-profit receiving just over $62,500 dollars. Recipients were chosen by a volunteer steering committee of local community members. Last month, MaineCF distributed nearly $5M to 162 individuals directly impacted by the shooting, as part of its Victims & Families Fund.
(Ellsworth) In March, the Maine Community Foundation distributed nearly $5M from its Victims and Families Fund to 162 individuals directly impacted by the October 25th Lewiston shooting. As a follow-up, MaineCF has now distributed an additional nearly $2M to 29 non-profits supporting Lewiston recovery. The monies were received by the Lewiston Auburn Area Response Fund and were distributed evenly, with each non-profit receiving just over $62,500 dollars. Recipients were chosen by a volunteer steering committee of local community members.
Environment
NOAA Fisheries Close Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area
(Maine) The Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area is now closed. NOAA reports scallop regulations require the area be closed once it’s projected that 100% of the 2024 Northern Gulf of Maine Set-Aside will be taken. The closure is in effect until March 31, 2025, the end of the fishing year.
(Maine) NOAA Fisheries have declared the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area closed. Scallop regulations require the area be closed once it’s projected that 100% of the 2024 Northern Gulf of Maine Set-Aside will be taken. The closure is in effect until March 31, 2025, the end of the fishing year. Vessels fishing exclusively in state waters with a valid state scallop permit can continue to fish in those state waters within the NGMSM area, under the State Waters Exemption program.
Ellsworth Gets Spring “Facelift”
(Ellsworth) Downtown Ellsworth got a spring facelift this past weekend. The Heart of Ellsworth Design Committee planted trees for Earth Day on Main Street. Heart of Ellsworth reports arborist Tabitha White worked to get the beautiful cedars you see filling the planters gracing the downtown walkways. The cedars help bring a touch of nature to patrons who come downtown to eat, be entertained, and shop locally.
(Ellsworth) The Heart of Ellsworth Design Committee was hard at work on a “tree”-mendous downtown project for Earth Day this past weekend. Members filled planters with beautiful cedar trees to give downtown Main Street a fresh spring facelift. Heart of Ellsworth says arborist Tabitha White worked to get the lovely cedars that now give the downtown area a touch of nature to enjoy while eating and shopping local.
Maine Awarded 10.5M for Four Climate Resilience Projects
(Scarborough) Officials from the Biden Administration were in Maine yesterday to announce the state has been awarded $10.5M through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. The monies will support four climate resilience and wildlife protection projects in Washington, York, and Cumberland Counties. The Washington County Project includes a portion of $4.49 million to replace aging Corbett Brook culverts in Perry in order to improve water flows and fish passage. The awards were announced yesterday afternoon at a ceremony at the Scarborough Marsh, where planned improvements are another of the four projects funded.
(Scarborough) State and federal officials were at the Scarborough Marsh Monday afternoon to award $10.5M in funding to the state for four climate resilience and wildlife protection projects. The monies are part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act and will provide for projects in Washington, York, and Cumberland Counties, including $4.49 million to replace aging culverts in Perry and Brunswick to improve water flows and fish passage. To date, over $2.2B from the BIL has been awarded to support more than 300 specific projects across Maine.
Coastal Mountain Land Trust Reaches Goal
(Waldo County) Coastal Mountain Land Trust used Earth Day yesterday to announce the Waldo County Conservation Initiative has met its year-two fundraising goals supporting four projects across five Waldo County towns. The $265K supports the acquisition and stewardship of a total of more than 200 acres at Waldo Pond Preserve, Kingfisher Preserve in Morrill, Mount Tuck Preserve in Stockton Springs and Prospect, and McLellan-Poor Preserve in Northport.
(Waldo County) More than 200 acres of wildlands will be preserved in Waldo County, after the Waldo County Conservation Initiative met its year-two fundraising goals. The Initiative, under the umbrella of Coastal Mountain Land Trust, used Earth Day yesterday to announce reaching the goal of raising $265K. The monies support the acquisition and stewardship of acreage at Waldo Pond Preserve, Kingfisher Preserve in Morrill, Mount Tuck Preserve in Stockton Springs and Prospect, and McLellan-Poor Preserve in Northport.
Health
NLBHMC Installs Drug Take-Back Kiosks
(Ellsworth) Drug take-back kiosks. You can now find them at Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital. The locked kiosks are installed near the front main entrance and are available for persons to drop off unused or expired medications. Blue Hill residents will find a kiosk inside the main entrance of the new hospital, as well. April 27th is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, with experts aiming to raise awareness of the importance of safe, convenient and responsible disposal of prescription drugs, helping to reduce the risk of potential misuse of such medications.
(Ellsworth) Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Just in time, Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital has installed a drug take-back kiosk for residents to drop off unused or expired medications. You’ll find the locked kiosk conveniently located near the front main entrance. Blue Hill residents will find a kiosk located inside the main entrance of the new hospital there, as well. Drug Take Back Day is designed to increase awareness of the importance of safely and responsibly disposing of prescription drugs, helping to reduce the risk of their potential misuse.
Infrastructure
Officials Debate Value of Saving Coastal Road
(SW Harbor) A flood-prone stretch of road known as Seawall washed out repeatedly during recent storms. Now, officials are debating whether to repair a half mile section of the road, also known as 102A, or give it up to the sea. The Mount Desert Islander reports the section located between the Seawall Motel and Acadia National Park’s Seawall picnic area took a battering during the January storms. It was then hit by a March 10th storm that again caused damage and made the road impassable. Maine DOT officials say they’re evaluating whether to abandon the road or repair and raise it. The fate of the road may be decided in the coming weeks as members of the National Park Service, abutting towns, and members of the public weigh in. The road currently remains closed.
(SW Harbor) In January, powerful waves caused the road to crack and buckle and washed up huge rocks, making a section of what’s known as Seawall Road on MDI impassable. A half mile section of the road, also known as 102A, was totally washed away in the January storms. A March 10th storm made it impassable once again. Now the Maine Department of Transportation is working with Acadia National Park officials and others to determine the fate of the road –whether to repair and raise it or give it up to the sea. The fate of the road may be decided in the coming weeks as members of the National Park Service, abutting towns, and members of the public weigh in. The road currently remains closed.
Versant Planned Outage
(Machiasport) Residents of the Port Road in Machiasport may experience a temporary loss of power Thursday. Versant crews say they’ll be working on the Port Road circuit to improve reliability and prevent future issues. The work is expected to begin at 9 a.m. on April 25th and last about 15 minutes.
(Machiasport) If you live on the Port Road in Machiasport, you’re likely to experience a brief power outage Thursday morning. Versant reports work on a circuit will begin at 9 a.m. and last just about 15 minutes.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Gagnon Makes American Idol Top Ten
(Cumberland) Maine’s own Julia Gagnon has made it into the Top 10 in American Idol Season 22. Gagnon received more than 20 million votes to advance Monday.
(Cumberland) Maine’s Julia Gagnon sang “Something in the Orange” Monday night, her powerful vocals securing more than 20 million votes to catapult her into the Top Ten.
Sports
Red Sox in Cleveland to run the bases with the Guardians.
Round One, Game Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs goes to the Maple Leafs. They defeated the Bruins last night 3-2. Series now tied at a game apiece. Game Three Wednesday in Toronto.
Celtics and Heat – Round 1, Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs Wednesday night in Boston.