Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Maine to Share in Settlement Over J&J Talc Products
(Augusta) Maine, along with 42 other states, is set to share in a $700M nationwide settlement against the marketing of Johnson & Johnson baby powder and body powder products that contain talc. According to Attorney General Aaron Frey, the lawsuit alleges the company deceptively promoted and misled consumers in advertisements related to the safety and purity of some of its talc powder products. As part of the lawsuit, J & J will stop the manufacture and sale of such products in the US – products the company sold for more than a hundred years. Maine will receive over $4.8M. The settlement is pending judicial approval.
(Augusta) It once was the soothing after-bath product used by millions. Now, Johnson & Johnson will need something soothing, following a $700M judgment against the company’s marketing of baby powder and body powder products that contain talc. Attorney General Aaron Frey joined attorneys general in 42 other states in bringing the suit against the corporate giant. The lawsuit alleges the company deceptively promoted and misled consumers in advertisements related to the safety and purity of some of its talc powder products – products the company sold for more than a hundred years. Maine’s share of the settlement is nearly $5M. The settlement is pending judicial approval.
Woman Hospitalized After Hitting Pole in Levant
(Levant) A woman was hospitalized after officials say her car hit a utility pole in Levant Tuesday morning. WABI-TV reports the crash happened just before 9:30 a.m. and knocked wires down, causing the wrecked vehicle to catch on fire. Flames spread to a nearby house, but firefighters were able to quickly knock down the blaze. Crews reportedly arrived within minutes and found the driver on the ground and unresponsive. Avenue Road was completely closed down while Maine State Police investigated.
Brewer Police Investigate After Car Crashed Into Home
(Brewer) Talk about a wake up call. Brewer police are investigating after a car crashed into a home on Eastern Avenue early yesterday morning. Brewer police say the residents of the home were asleep at the time and escaped injury. The driver was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities are investigating to determine a cause of that crash.
Local Politics
Election Results
(Maine) Yesterday’s election saw a low voter turnout, but some key election results: District 2 GOP candidate Austin Theriault defeats Mike Soboleski for the chance to face Democrat Jared Golden in November for the District 2 Congressional seat. Former Republican Party Chair Demi Kouzounas and Democrat David Costello, along with Independent Jason Cherry will run against Angus King for State Senator. Voters supported the Ellsworth school budget, a change to nomination procedures, and proposed changes to the Ellsworth City Charter. And in Bar Harbor, incumbent Councilors Gary Friedman and Joe Minutolo retain their seats, while all four proposed amendments to the land use ordinance also passed.
Economy
King Announces Grant for Passamaquoddy Eel Farm
(Washington, DC) The Passamaquoddy Tribe has been awarded $3.4M to build an eel farm. The grant is part of a Rural Development Grant designed to support Tribal Nations which utilize traditional harvesting methods of indigenous animals, such as bison, reindeer, salmon and eels. It’s one of eight awarded across the nation. In announcing the grant this week, Senator Angus King said the grant will help the Passamaquoddy fund the latest technology to grow eels in a controlled aquaculture facility, as opposed to relying on wild eel harvesting.
Education
Frenchman’s Bay Library Awarded MCF Grant
(Sullivan) Frenchman’s Bay Library in Sullivan has received a $10,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation. The 2024 grant will provide general support and opportunities to engage the community in new activities for residents and visitors. Plans include additional Music Therapy “Song Circles”, guest speakers, “hands on” programs, and more, in collaboration with Age-Friendly Sullivan, the Sullivan-Sorrento Historical Society, Friends of Taunton Bay and RSU 24 educators.
(Sullivan) Music Therapy “Song Circles’, guest speakers, “hands on” programs, and more. Those are some of the things that will be made possible this year because of a $10K Maine Community Foundation Grant awarded the Frenchman’s Bay Library in Sullivan. The library plans to work with Age-Friendly Sullivan, the Sullivan-Sorrento Historical Society, Friends of Taunton Bay and RSU 24 educators to develop programs of interest to all abilities and ages.
Environment
New Hampshire Company Proposes Alternative Site for Searsport Offshore Wind Terminal
(Searsport) The State of Maine is seeking funds and permits to develop a $500M offshore wind energy port on 100 acres of state-owned land at Sears Island, off Searsport. But a New Hampshire company, Sprague Operating Resources, is proposing an alternative site. Sprague operates its Mack Point Terminal about a third of a mile west of Sears Island. MaineBiz reports Sprague is one of the Northeast’s largest suppliers of energy products. Last week, the company released plans that would locate the port at Mack Point. Sprague says that location would have less environmental impact and minimizes dredging and wetland impact.
(Searsport) Opponents of the Sears Island location for a $500M offshore wind energy port argue Mack Island would be a much better location. A New Hampshire company is echoing that sentiment. MaineBiz reports Sprague Operating Resources operates its Mack Point Terminal about a third of a mile west of Sears Island. The company contends that location would have less environmental impact and would minimize dredging and wetland impact. Sprague’s proposal says the Mack Point location would result in lower cost than the Sears Island plan, with less risk of delays in permitting.
Maine on Track to Fulfill Environmental Goals
(Augusta) Maine is on track to fulfill goals related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A report issued Tuesday found that as of 2021, gross GHG emissions in Maine were 30 percent lower than 1990 levels. That surpasses the State’s medium term goal of reducing GHG emissions to 10% less than 1990 levels by January 2020. The report indicates Maine is well-positioned to meet its goal of carbon neutrality by 2045.
(Augusta) Maine is approximately 91% of the way toward its goal of carbon neutrality, primarily as a result of a decrease in gross greenhouse gas emissions since 2016, an increase in carbon storage in wood products and Maine forestland since 2016, and a recent change in the way carbon is calculated in those forests. That’s one of the findings of a report issued Tuesday by the Department of Environmental Protection. The report states as of 2021, gross GHG emissions in Maine were 30 percent lower than 1990 levels. The analysis also indicates Maine is well-positioned to meet its goal of carbon neutrality by 2045.
Large Wind Turbine Parts to Travel Across Hancock County
(Columbia) It’s not Amazon, but travelers in Hancock County will soon see a series of oversized deliveries traveling up Route One. Parts of large wind turbines that will be erected in the Washington County town of Columbia will be transported east on Route 1 from Searsport, traveling through Bucksport, Downtown Ellsworth, and onto the Washington Junction Road in Hancock before continuing to Washington County. The super-sized transports will be escorted by Maine State Police and will occur mainly in the pre-dawn hours, five days a week, into October.
(Columbia) Some assembly required. Parts of large wind turbines will soon be headed up Route 1 to the Washington County town of Columbia. The transports will travel east on Route One from Searsport, trundle their way through Bucksport, on to Downtown Ellsworth and continuing on the Washington Junction Road in Hancock before once again heading up Route One to Washington County. The Hancock County Emergency Management Agency reports the oversized loads will be accompanied by Maine State Police and travel mainly in the pre-dawn hours, five days a week, likely into October.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Loaves and Fishes Partners with Good Table Foundation
(Ellsworth) Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry will be partnering with Good Table Foundation of Castine to offer freshly, hydroponically grown produce to the local families they serve. Good Table grows year-round, sustainable produce that includes lettuce, kale, radishes, carrots and other vegetables without the use of pesticides. GTF President Greg Nitzkowski said they’re committed to providing access to nutritious, fresh food that is attractively presented and to making the shopping experience a humanizing one – echoing the goal of the pantry’s first Executive Director, Andy Matthews, who spearheaded creation of the current building and pantry.
(Ellsworth) Providing fresh, year round food attractively presented for those in need – and making the Loaves and Fishes pantry experience one of dignity and plenty. That was the goal of Andy Mathews, who spearheaded the current building and pantry experience. Now, the pantry announces it has partnered with Good Table Foundation of Castine, an organization that echoes that goal. Good Table grows year-round, sustainable, hydroponically produced lettuce, kale, carrots and other vegetables and will be providing those weekly to the pantry, which currently serves more than 1700 families. A pilot distribution went into effect in May.
Roaring Twenties on the Downeast Scenic Railway
(Ellsworth) Don that flappers’ attire and practice those Charleston moves! It’s a Roaring Twenties train ride back in time to benefit the Ellsworth Historical Society. The June 23rd ride aboard the Downeast Scenic Railroad commemorates the historic arrival of the first revenue train coming to Ellsworth. Enjoy prohibition mocktails, live music by Mike & Susie Fay, surprise adventures and railroad history. Costumes from the era are encouraged. Reserve your seat in advance at downeast scenic rail dot org.
(Ellsworth) It was the Jazz Age, bursting with prosperity and freedom. On June 23rd, travel back in time to the Roaring Twenties aboard the Downeast Scenic Railroad. Proceeds from the 45-minute ride benefit the Ellsworth Historical Society. The ride commemorates the historic arrival of the first revenue train coming to Ellsworth. Enjoy prohibition mocktails, live music by Mike & Susie Fay, surprise adventures and railroad history. Costumes from the era are encouraged. Reserve your seat in advance at downeast scenic rail dot org.
Ellsworth Children’s Referendum
(Ellsworth) The Green Party captured a major victory last night in Ellsworth. City Clerk Toni Dyer reports the color green beat out red and blue for favorite color in the highly contested Special Children’s Referendum. On the question of having school in summer, the no votes win 10-7, and sloth easily takes the win as favorite animal over goat and a write in for dog.
(Ellsworth) Students in Ellsworth will NOT have to go to school this summer – but it was a close one. City Clerk Toni Dyer reports in the highly contested Special Children’s Referendum, the vote as to whether or not have school in summer was 10-7 against the proposal. In other tallies, the color green handily defeated red and blue for favorite color, and it was a runaway vote for the sloth, who beat out goat and dog as favorite animal.
Sports
NBA Finals Game 3 tonight in Boston – Celtics up 2-0 over Dallas.
The Red Sox fell to the Phillies last night at Fenway 4-1. Teams meet up again tonight at Fenway.
The 6th ranked Caribou High baseball team upset top seeded Ellsworth 4-2 for the Class B North Championship in Bangor Tuesday. Ellsworth ends their season 17-2. Caribou will face Class B South Champion Yarmouth on Saturday at USM.
Bucksport repeats as Class C North baseball champs, defeating WA 5-4. And the Bucksport girls softball team shuts out Mattanawcook 4-zip for the Class C North softball championship. The 18-1 Lady Golden Bucks will take on Hall-Dale of Farmingdale Saturday afternoon at UMaine.