Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Ellsworth Police May Get First Body Cams
(Ellsworth) It’s looking more like Ellsworth police will be equipped with body cams in the future – something officers say they’re all for. The Bangor Daily News reports the projected $250,000 cost would also include cameras for the department’s 11 cruisers, as current equipment becomes obsolete. The request for body cams hasn’t made it into the City budget in past years, but new City Manager Charlie Pearce is reportedly recommending them, and council is voicing approval as well. It’s unclear at this point where funding would come from, but the money could be raised by a bond local voters would consider in November or ARPA funds. If approved in the new budget, which goes into effect July 1, the cameras would likely be up and running by the end of the year.
(Ellsworth) Members of the Ellsworth Police Department have been trying to secure body cameras for several years. This year, they’ve reportedly found support in new City Manager, Charlie Pearce, and the current City Council. The Bangor Daily News reports the projected $250,000 cost would also include cameras for the department’s 11 cruisers as current equipment becomes obsolete. Money for the cameras and upgrades could be raised by a local bond voters would consider in November or from ARPA funds. Captain Shawn Willey reports if approved in the new budget, which goes into effect July 1, the cameras will likely be up and running by the end of the year.
Jefferson Fatal Tractor Incident
(Jefferson) Authorities are investigating a fatal tractor incident in Jefferson. The Pen Bay Pilot reports around Noon Monday, the Lincoln County RCC received a 9-1-1 call reporting the accident on South Clary Road. Deputies responded and found 53 yo Shawn Hickey under his tractor. An initial investigation suggests Hickey was attaching a piece of equipment when he was trapped by the rear wheels and died. The Chief Medical Examiner is working to determine an exact cause of death.
(Jefferson) A Jefferson man died Monday when he was apparently trapped under the tractor on which he was working. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the Lincoln County RCC received a 9-1-1 call shortly before noon on Monday reporting an accident on South Clary Road. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Fire Department and Central Lincoln Ambulance responded and found 53 yo Shawn Hickey was under his tractor and had died. An initial investigation suggests Hickey was attaching a piece of equipment when he was trapped by the rear wheels. The Chief Medical Examiner is working to determine an exact cause of death.
WEA Alert Sent in Error
(Augusta) The Federal Emergency Management Agency is investigating after a Wireless Emergency Alert was mistakenly issued to certain states yesterday afternoon. WEA Alerts are messages sent in cases of tornado, flash flood, extreme wind and other potential disasters. Tuesday’s alert was sent out shortly before 3 p.m. by the state of Massachusetts and warned the 9-1-1 system was down statewide. It was sent to surrounding states, including parts of Maine, by error. The state of Maine quickly issued a message that its 9-1-1 system was up and running and any alerts to the contrary should be disregarded.
(Augusta) A WEA Alert issued by the state of Massachusetts yesterday afternoon was sent to surrounding states in error. Wireless Emergency Alerts are sent as warnings in cases such as tornadoes, flash floods, and extreme winds. Tuesday’s alert went out shortly before 3 p.m. cautioning residents the Massachusetts 9-1-1 system was down statewide. The state of Maine quickly issued a message that its 9-1-1 system was up and running and any alerts to the contrary should be disregarded. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is investigating the glitch.
Heat Advisories and Warnings Wednesday
(Caribou) A heat advisory remains in effect today for Interior Hancock and Central and Northern Washington Counties between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. The National Weather Service in Caribou says no headlines for Coastal Hancock and Washington Counties. An Excessive Heat Warning is in place for Southern and Central Penobscot and Southern Piscataquis Counties. Hot and humid conditions will continue through Thursday before a cold front pushes through the region tomorrow night. There are cooling centers available – check with your local municipality. Steve McKay will keep you updated with the latest throughout the day and evening on Star 97.7.
(Augusta) Unhealthy for sensitive groups – that’s the air quality alert issued for today by the Maine EPA. Ozone is expected to reach unhealthy levels along the coast from Kittery through Acadia National Park, with downeast coastal and western interior regions expected to reach moderate levels. At elevated ozone levels, children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or heart diseases such as asthma or COPD can experience problems. Even healthy adults who exert themselves outdoors may notice negative effects. Experts say avoid strenuous outdoor activity, close windows and circulate indoor air with a fan or air conditioner, and make sure asthmatics keep quick-relief medications and an action plan handy today.
Truck of Deceased Union Man Pulled from Penobscot Bay
(Lincolnville) 30 yo Jonah Farley of Union was reported missing on May 18th. His body was discovered June 3rd on Lincolnville Beach. This past Monday, a State Police Dive Team located and recovered Farley’s 2010 Chevy Silverado near the ferry terminal in Lincolnville. An investigation determined Farley’s death was a suicide. Anyone contemplating self harm, is encouraged to get help by calling or texting the Suicide Hotline at 9-8-8.
(Lincolnville) The death of a Union man whose body was found June 3rd on Lincolnville Beach has been ruled a suicide. 30 yo Jonah Farley’s family reported him missing on May 18th. On Monday, a State Police Dive Team located and recovered Farley’s 2010 Chevy Silverado near the ferry terminal in Lincolnville. Anyone contemplating self harm, is encouraged to get help by calling or texting the Suicide Hotline at 9-8-8.
Local Politics
Governor Janet Mills Announces Grants for Climate Effects, Energy Efficiency
(Augusta) Fifty-four communities in Maine will share $2.4M in grants to help prepare for the effects of climate change and to improve energy efficiency. Awards come through Governor Janet Mills’s Community Resilience Partnership. The program has grown to include 226 municipalities and tribal governments, representing nearly 70% of Maine’s population. All the communities receiving the newest grants are first-time awardees. One of those is the town of Gouldsboro, which plans to work with residents and working waterfront users to come up with plans to design and rebuild two roads that are essential to working waterfront operations and access in Corea Harbor, and that are vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surge.
(Augusta) Belfast, Brooklin, Cherryfield, Cutler, Gouldsboro, Swan’s Island, and Waldoboro are among the more than 50 towns that will receive a portion of $2.4M in grants to help prepare for the effects of climate change through Governor Janet Mills’s Community Resilience Partnership. The program has now grown to include more than 200 municipalities and tribal governments. In addition, funds to improve energy efficiency will benefit Stonington and Deer Isle’s Energy Efficiency Pilot Program and retrofits for Maine Hilgrove Community Hall and the Town Clerk’s office in Whitneyville. The newest recipients, announced by the Governor’s office on Tuesday, are all first time awardees.
Environment
Fishermen’s Data Sought
(Ellsworth) It’s unlikely anyone knows the ocean better than Maine lobstermen and women. Yet, the Maine Lobster Knowledge Trust says because fishermen lack access to data needed to back up their observations, they’re often dismissed as anecdotal. The Ellsworth American reports the Trust is working with the Maine Lobstermen’s Association and others, hoping to reach lobstermen interested in downloading and standardizing data already collected on lobster boats running Time Zero or Olex systems. The data will be used “to help address urgent regulatory issues like management closures that threaten the lobster industry.” For more information contact [email protected].
(Ellsworth) What do lobstermen and women know about the ocean? Probably more than anyone else on the planet. But The Ellsworth American reports their knowledge and observations are often dismissed as anecdotal because they lack access to data needed to back up their observations. The Maine Lobster Knowledge Trust is working with the Maine Lobstermen’s Association and others, hoping to reach lobstermen interested in downloading and standardizing data already collected on lobster boats running Time Zero or Olex systems. The data will be used “to help address urgent regulatory issues like management closures that threaten the lobster industry.” For more information contact [email protected].
Health
Use of Some Medications Affected by Heat Wave
(KFF) Diuretics, ACE Inhibitors, beta blockers, antidepressants, and stimulants for ADHD are just some of the medications experts say could cause dehydration, raise your risk of fainting, or other problems during a heat wave. Kaiser Foundation Health News says doctors are advising people on such medications, especially, to use air conditioning and to drink plenty of water. They say certain drugs, including some used to treat mental health conditions, high blood pressure and allergies, can make staying hydrated more difficult when it’s hot outside.
(KFF) If you’re on medication such as a diuretic, ACE inhibitor, beta blocker – even some antidepressants and stimulants – KFF Health News reports the heat could make you more susceptible to dehydration, risk of fainting, or other problems. They say doctors are advising those people, especially, to use air conditioning and drink plenty of water. Mental health can also be affected during prolonged periods of heat, as people tend to isolate and stay indoors, not seeing friends as much and skipping activities because of severe heat. Might be a good day to check on your neighbors.
Infrastructure
US Navy Awards Bath Iron Works $200M-plus Contract
(Bath) Bath Iron Works will sail into the future with a more than $200M contract awarded them by the US Navy. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King Monday said the funds are largely for Planning Yard Services for the DDG-51 Class Guided Missile Destroyer Program. Planning yard work is an essential element of sustaining BIW’s design and engineering workforce. The work will be performed in Bath through July 2029.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Milbridge Makerspace
(Milbridge) Looking for something cool to pass the time this summer? The Milbridge Makers Market is celebrating its second season of bringing a unique collection of local Artists, Makers, and Growers … with live Music every Market. Open every Thursday this summer, rain or shine, you’ll find the Milbridge Makers Market located next to the Schooner Gallery in Milbridge. Speaking of Milbridge, the Milbridge Theatre outdoor stage Friday Night Live Summer concert series has an amazing lineup this year, including Whiskey Bent, Gordon Thomas Ward, Flash in the Pans and the Crown Vics. Check out the theatre’s full schedule and dates on FB.
Juneteenth
(Undated) Today is Juneteenth, sometimes called the “Second Independence Day” and a federal holiday where you’ll likely find government offices closed and some services unavailable. But you may not know what the holiday is all about, so we did some research. On June 19th, 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas were given the news they were freed by Abraham Lincoln – the last African American slaves to BE notified, more than two years after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. That’s according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed by Congress on June 17th, 2021, marking the day as a federal holiday.
(Undated) It’s a federal holiday today, but many folks have no idea what’s behind Juneteenth. The day marks the beginning of the end of a dark period in American history. It’s the day that in 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas were given the news they were freed by Abraham Lincoln – more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The National Museum of African American History and Culture reports the delay was due to a lack of enforcement until a general arrived in Galveston announcing the end of the Civil War and the emancipation. The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed by Congress on June 17th, 2021, marking the day as a federal holiday.
Sports
The Red Sox with a 4-3 win last night over the Blue Jays. That series continues today in Toronto.
The New England Patriots have reportedly completed their roster by signing UFL offensive lineman Liam Fornadel. Fornadel played for the DC Defenders.
Baseball Hall of Famer Willy Mays has died at the age of 93. The centerfielder nicknamed the “Say Hey Kid”, is considered one of the greatest players of all time, ranking second only to Babe Ruth on most all-time lists, including The Sporting News and ESPN. Mays spent 21 years with the NY Giants, later moving to San Francisco.
It’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Night in Portland as the Sea Dogs take on the Richmond Flying Squirrels. The Portland Sea Dogs will wear American Sign Language Jerseys – with “Sea Dogs” spelled out in ASL – in tonight’s game. The team honoring the four deaf people killed in the Lewiston shooting last October. The jerseys will then be auctioned off to benefit The Pine Tree Society, Maine’s only non-profit sign language interpreting agency.