Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Sixty-Eight Police Cadets to Graduate BLETP
(Vassalboro) Sixty eight police cadets will graduate this Friday from the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program. Held in Vassalboro, the training is an eighteen-week course that this year represents 44 State, municipal, and county law enforcement agencies. Local graduates include Anthony Jones from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Noah Lang from the Belfast Police Department, Trevor McCray, William Nichols, and Aaron Santana from the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, Marc White from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and members of the Maine State Police and Maine Forest Service. Graduation ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. and will be held outside at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, weather permitting.
(Vassalboro) The training lasts eighteen weeks, and not everyone who signs up finishes the course. This Friday, 68 cadets will graduate from Basic Law Enforcement Training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro. Officials say the diverse class includes 23 military veterans representing all branches. Those becoming the newest law enforcement officers in Maine locally, are Anthony Jones from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Noah Lang – Belfast Police Department, Trevor McCray, William Nichols, and Aaron Santana from the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, Marc White – Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and members of the Maine State Police and Maine Forest Service. Graduation ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. Friday and will be held outside at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, weather permitting.
Deer Isle Stolen Vehicle
(Deer Isle) A Deer Isle man was arrested and charged with Theft, Driving to Endanger, and other charges this week after he reportedly stole a vehicle, refused to stop for law enforcement , and crashed the car on the Surry Road. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department tells Star 97.7, a resident of Deer Isle reported the stolen vehicle Monday afternoon. Deputies spotted the car on the Blue Hill Road in Surry and again in Surry and attempted stops at both locations, but say the driver failed to comply. A short time later, the vehicle was found overturned off the roadway. The driver, 37 yo Jon McDowell, was seen emerging from the woods but then vanished. He was later found at a nearby residence and taken into custody.
(Deer Isle) A stolen vehicle on Deer Isle has landed a resident in the Hancock County Jail. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department reports to Star 97.7, a resident reported the stolen vehicle shortly after 3 p.m. on Monday. Deputies spotted a car matching the description on the Blue Hill Road in Surry and again in Surry and attempted to stop the driver at both locations. They say he refused to comply. A short time later, the vehicle was found overturned and off the roadway on the Surry Road. The driver, 37 yo Jon McDowell, was seen emerging from the woods, but then fled. He was later found at a nearby residence and taken into custody. McDowell is charged with Theft, Driving to Endanger, Operating after Suspension, and Failing to Report an Accident.
Local Politics
Senator Collins Named Most Bipartisan US Senator
(Washington, DC) For the ninth time in eleven years, Maine’s Senator Susan Collins has been ranked the most bipartisan US Senator by the Lugar Center and Georgetown University. Dan Diller, Policy Director of the Lugar Center said, “Since the founding of the Bipartisan Index, no member of Congress has been more consistently faithful to the principles of bipartisanship, underscoring her continuing devotion to good governance and her commitment to working across the aisle on behalf of state and country.”
(Washington, DC) Maine’s Senator Susan Collins has once again topped the list of most bipartisan US Senators. The list is compiled by the Lugar Center and Georgetown University. It’s the ninth time in eleven years Collins has been ranked number one on the list. The ranking is based on the frequency with which a member sponsors bills co-sponsored by at least one member of the opposing party and bills introduced by members of the opposite party. The full list of Senators and their rankings can be found at the lugar center dot org.
Absentee Voting Begins in Maine
(Maine) Absentee voting for the June 11th primary has begun in Maine. Registered voters can request ballots online or by contacting their local municipal clerks. You can vote early in person at your local town office through Thursday, June 6th. All absentee ballots must be received by town clerks by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
(Maine) Election Day is June 11th, but absentee voting for the June Primary is now available. Registered voters can request ballots online or by contacting their local municipal clerks. If you’d like to vote early, you can do so in person at your local town office through Thursday, June 6th. All absentee ballots must be received by town clerks no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Mount Desert, Tremont Voters Reject Short Term Rental Ordinances
(MDI/Tremont) Voters in both Mount Desert and Tremont this month rejected short term rental ordinances. The Mount Desert proposal would have required annual licenses and safety inspections and would have capped the number of licenses issued at ten percent of residential properties. The Mount Desert Islander reports in a written ballot vote at this month’s town meeting the measure was defeated 134-72. Meanwhile in Tremont, a short term rental licensing ordinance was rejected by the narrowest of margins – 120-118. Tremont voters approved three other questions, including adoption of the Town’s 2023 Comprehensive Plan.
(MDI/Tremont) A short term rental ordinance proved a controversial issue at this month’s town meeting in Mount Desert. The Mount Desert Islander reports after a lengthy discussion, the measure was defeated in a written ballot vote 134-72. The proposal would have required annual licenses and safety inspections, and would have capped the number of licenses issued at ten percent of residential properties. Meanwhile in Tremont, a short term rental licensing ordinance was rejected by the narrowest of margins – 120-118. Tremont voters approved three other questions, including adoption of the Town’s 2023 Comprehensive Plan.
Education
Pemetic Elementary Hosts French Chocolate Market
(SW Harbor) Pemetic Elementary in Southwest Harbor has come up with a delicious idea that’s a winning combination of student innovation, community engagement, French culture, technology … and chocolate. The school is hosting its Inaugural French Chocolate Market at Birch Bay Village, beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29th. Sixth and seventh graders will showcase their work creating chocolate bars and wrappers using elements of French symbolism, culture and history, and demonstrating the powerful role of 3D printing in modern education. The Market is the brainchild of French teacher Ed Michaud and Technology Integrator Mike Brzezowski . The public is encouraged to join them and see the results of one of the sweetest ideas in education.
(SW Harbor) What student wouldn’t enjoy school when it involves technology, innovation… and chocolate? Pemetic Elementary sixth and seventh graders invite you to their Inaugural French Chocolate Market at Birch Bay Village on Tuesday, May 29th! Under the guidance of French teacher Ed Michaud and Technology Integrator Mike Brzezowski , the students designed chocolate bars, printed them on the school’s 3D printers, and used the prototypes to make silicone molds to shape the final chocolate bars from melted chocolate. They then created wrappers, turning the project into edible pieces of art and French history. They’ll present their projects at Birch Bay, sparking connections between students and elder community members. Real world education at its yummiest!
Environment
Weather Could Be Factor Affecting Browntail Moths
(Augusta) Our somewhat normal spring weather could be bad news for those pesky browntail moth caterpillars. The Maine Forest Service says the periodic rains we’ve been receiving this year are conducive to the development of pathogens that can cause caterpillar disease. Experts say last year’s very wet spring and summer may have hampered some disease development. They theorize the fungus that attacks browntail caterpillars needs dry periods between rain events in order to produce spores, a crucial component to spreading the fungus to other nearby caterpillars.
(Augusta) Our normal spring weather, with off and on sun and rain, may produce ABnormal conditions for those pesky browntail moth caterpillars. The Maine Forest Service tells Star 97.7 last year’s very wet spring and summer may have hampered the development of pathogens that can cause caterpillar disease. They theorize the fungus that attacks the caterpillars needs dry periods between rains in order to produce spores, a crucial component to spreading the fungus to other nearby caterpillars.
Baxter State Park Reopens to Vehicles
(Millinocket) Yet another sign of spring – Baxter State Park is reopening to vehicles this morning. Park officials say road access will be limited to certain sections because there are places where they’re still cleaning up from the winter storms. The park posts a daily conditions report you might want to check before you head out – baxter state park dot org. And they say don’t plan on climbing Mount Katahdin just yet. The mountain and Traveler Ridge Trails will likely remain closed until early June.
(Millinocket) It’s opening day for vehicles at Baxter State Park, but park officials are still urging caution. They say road access will be limited to certain sections as they continue cleaning up from winter storms. You can check conditions daily at baxter state park dot org. Park rangers say don’t plan to climb Mount Katahdin or hike the Traveler Ridge Trails just yet – those will likely remain closed until early next month.
Ellsworth Again Earns Tree City USA Status
(Ellsworth) For the third year in a row, Ellsworth has earned Tree City USA status. The Tree City USA program has been greening up cities and towns across the US since 1976. Participating communities must have an active tree board, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. More than 3,400 cities across the country participate. Arbor Week in Maine is May 19th through the 25th.
(Ellsworth) According to the Arbor Day Foundation, trees yield between three and five times their cost in overall benefits to the community. So it’s pretty TREE-mendous that the City of Ellsworth has once again this year been named a Tree City USA. Participating communities must have an active tree board, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. More than 3,400 cities across the country participate. Arbor Week in Maine is coming up, May 19th through the 25th.
MDI Wheelers to Offer Free Rides on Carriage Roads
(MDI) Beginning in June, MDI Wheelers will be offering free rides on portions of Acadia National Park’s carriage roads. Friends of Acadia says the rides are exclusively for Hancock County community members who are unable to walk without assistance. The Wheelers will use special tricycles with pedal assist motors, with rides beginning at the Eagle Lake boat launch and proceeding around Paradise Hill and/or Eagle Lake. Volunteer “pilots” are needed – training will be held May 18 and 25 – more information at m d i wheelers dot org.
(MDI) Know a Hancock County resident who has mobility issues, but who would still love to get out and enjoy the fresh air? Beginning in June, MDI Wheelers will be offering free rides on portions of Acadia National Park’s carriage roads. Friends of Acadia says the rides are exclusively for Hancock County community members who are unable to walk without assistance. The Wheelers will use special tricycles with pedal assist motors. Rides will start at the Eagle Lake boat launch and proceed around Paradise Hill and/or Eagle Lake. Volunteers are needed to man the trikes – training will be held May 18 and 25 – more information at m d i wheelers dot org.
Sports
Red Sox beating Tampa Bay by a run last night at Fenway, 5-4. Red Sox and Rays on the field again tonight in Boston.
Bruins stave off elimination with a 2-1 win over the Panthers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Playoffs last night Florida. Panthers leading 3 to 2. Game 6 Friday.
Celtics on the home court tonight against the Cleveland Cavs, going into Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs. Celtics up 3-1.