Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Maine AG’s Office Rules Police Shooting in Ellsworth Justified
(Ellsworth) The Maine Attorney General’s Office has ruled a police shooting last year in Ellsworth was justified. WABI-TV reports authorities were called to a home on Water Street the night of December 22nd for a harassment complaint. While responding, officers learned 68 yo Jeffrey Payne, the occupant, had a warrant for his arrest. Payne reportedly came to the door with a firearm and tried to shut the door on the officers, then fired his gun at them. Officer Joshua Steward fired back, hitting Payne in the arm and causing non-life-threatening injuries. The AG’s office said Officer Steward acted in self defense.
(Ellsworth) An officer-involved shooting in Ellsworth last December has been ruled self-defense on the part of an Ellsworth police officer. WABI-TV reports authorities were called to a home on Water Street the night of December 22nd for a harassment complaint. While responding, officers learned the occupant, 68 yo Jeffrey Payne, had a warrant for his arrest. Payne reportedly came to the door with a firearm and tried to shut the door on the officers, then fired his gun at them. Officer Joshua Steward fired back, hitting Payne in the arm and causing non-life-threatening injuries. The Maine Attorney General’s Office ruled the shooting was justified.
Local Politics
(Maine/AP) In a move that could affect Bangor, Portland, and other municipalities in Maine and across the US, the Supreme Court on Friday opened the door for cities to enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outside in public places. Homeless advocates said punishing people who need a place to sleep would criminalize homelessness. The Associated Press reports Justice Neil Gorsuch, in writing an opinion for the majority, acknowledged homelessness is complex and its causes are many. He said it may require public policy responses to address how best to handle the pressing social question. The vote was 6-3 along ideological lines, with justices writing that outdoor sleeping bans did not violate the Eighth Amendment.
(Maine/AP) In a ruling that could affect Bangor, Portland, and other cities in Maine and across the US, the Supreme Court on Friday paved the way for municipalities to enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outside in public places. The Associated Press reports the vote was 6-3, along ideological lines. Justice Neil Gorsuch, in writing the opinion for the majority, acknowledged homelessness is complex and its causes many. He said it may require public policy responses to address how best to handle the pressing social question.
Education
Workforce Training in Maine Gets $75K Boost
(Augusta) A record $75M grant for Maine community colleges will fund more workforce training across the state. MaineBiz reports The Harold Alfond Foundation will contribute the grant to short-term workforce training programs at the state’s community colleges over the next five years. David Daigler, President of the Maine Community College System said the investment will be transformational and fund programs that generally can be completed in days or weeks, such as advanced EMT and medical assistant training, and are offered to students free of charge or at a discount.
(Augusta) “Help Wanted” signs are everywhere, and now workforce training is getting some much needed “help” in the form of a more than $75M grant from The Harold Alfond Foundation. MaineBiz reports its the largest grant to date for the Maine Community College System, with the funds to be distributed over the next five years for programs that generally can be completed in days or weeks, such as welding, which comes with a guaranteed job interview at Bath Iron Works, a $500 a week earn-while-you-learn incentive and campus housing for some students. The grant funds are offered to students free of charge or at a discount.
Infrastructure
Local Communities Share More than $450K to “Shore Up” Infrastructure
(Maine) Gouldsboro, Surry, Frenchboro, and the Hancock County Planning Commission among those that will share close to $200,000 in Coastal Community Grants, designed to help “shore up” vulnerable communities by protecting and enhancing crucial coastal resources. Among funded projects scheduled to begin later this summer, improving the resilience of Newbury Neck Road in Surry, evaluating Gouldsboro’s three harbors in order to recommend changes to shoreland zoning ordinances, and providing vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans for the towns of Sullivan and Sorrento. The grants were announced Friday by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and the Department of Marine Resources.
(Maine) The Maine Coastal Program has awarded $255,000 to six municipalities as part of the Shore and Harbor Planning Grant Program. Among projects the funds will support, Blue Hill will develop designs to increase the resilience of the town’s two municipal wharfs, Jonesport’s “Henry Point Working Waterfront” project will support development of a modern, climate-friendly, and resilient working waterfront, and Monhegan Island will prepare designs for raising and increasing accessibility at the Island’s only public wharf. The grants are designed to help vulnerable communities continue to prepare for the ongoing effects of climate change.
Future of Seawall Road Still in Limbo
(SW Harbor) A section of Seawall Road is still in rubble, following a public meeting last week with the Maine Department of Transportation. The Mount Desert Islander reports more than 150 citizens gathered to share concerns about the future of a portion of the road destroyed by successive storms and which has remained closed since March. The closure has drastically affected businesses – one business said visits were down 60% – visits to tourist attractions, and emergency services. MDOT officials told those in attendance they had investigated options to make the road more resilient to severe weather events; but that even without raising the road, repairs are estimated to cost up to a million dollars.
(SW Harbor) One business said visits are down 60% due to the Seawall Road closure. First responders said if the situation warranted, they would drive through the road closure. And Maine Department of Transportation officials say they’ve looked at repair options that could cost upwards of a million dollars, even without raising the road to protect against further climate-related storm damage. The Mount Desert Islander reports those are a sample of concerns expressed at a public meeting with MDOT officials and about 150 residents and business owners last week. Little is certain about the future of the road at this point, but MDOT said they will compile feedback and make a recommendation fairly quickly.
Bridge Restoration at Acadia National Park
(ANP) The triple-arched Otter Creek Cove Bridge and Causeway, located on the Park Loop Road, is down to one lane for bridge restoration work. Built in 1938, the structure links Otter Point with the Blackwoods section of the park, curving along the water’s edge and providing views of the Otter Creek inlet and the open sea. The bridge and causeway estimated to need two million dollars in repairs before the winter storms. Park officials say it may have incurred additional damage during the storms.
Technology
Funding Helps Close Digital Divide with Community Broadband Grants
(Milbridge) Mano e Mano in Milbridge and the Town of Stonington are among a dozen recipients that will share more than $12M in grants to help close the digital divide in Maine. The Maine Connectivity Authority said the monies are designed to fund capital improvements to community anchor institutions, in order for people to access educational and workforce training programs and provide access to high speed internet. Stonington will use the funding to transform an historic 1905 school building into a world class facility on the state’s most productive working waterfront. The town says it will connect a marine-based-community- in-transition to community education, workforce pathways, and digital equity in health monitoring and senior programs.
(Milbridge) Twelve Maine communities and organizations will feel a little more “connected”, thanks to more than $12M in grant funding from the Maine Connectivity Authority. The Town of Stonington and Mano e Mano in Milbridge will each receive more than $1,700 to assist with access to high speed internet, computers, and technical support, especially for those facing the most barriers to connectivity. Mano e Mano will use the funds to build a state-of-the-art computer lab and community center that connects people in rural Downeast Maine to vital services and resources, such as education and telehealth.
Human Interest
Tip-A-Cop Brings in Funds for Special Olympics
(Ellsworth) Never let it be said Ellsworth area folks aren’t big tippers – especially when it comes to a great cause. Last Monday’s Tip-A-Cop at Helen’s Restaurant raked in more than $2700 in just a couple of hours. The event was organized by Corporal Shawn Merchant of the Ellsworth Police Department, who also puts together the Special Olympics Torch Run to Bangor each year. A big shout out to the regular and stand-in wait staff and all who came out in support.
(Ellsworth) Last Monday, area law enforcement personnel brought new meaning to the promise to protect …. and SERVE. Diners at Helen’s Restaurant were served by men and women in uniform … backed up by Helen’s regular wait staff, of course. The occasion was Tip-A-Cop, a fundraiser for Special Olympics that brought in more than $2,700 in just over two hours. The event was organized by Corporal Shawn Merchant of the Ellsworth Police Department, who also puts together the Special Olympics Torch Run to Bangor each year. A big shout out to the regular and stand-in wait staff and all who came out in support.
Woodlawn Barn Ribbon Cutting
(Ellsworth) Woodlawn in Ellsworth said goodbye to some familiar faces this weekend and hello to the official opening of The Barn. Alan Baker, for whom the Baker Center is named, cut the ribbon Friday evening, the culmination of 12 years of his hard work and support. The Barn features touches of history – wood panels and doors from the Nixon Black days – and a fully modern kitchen, event center, conference rooms, an archive for historical documents, and a suite complete with a shower where brides and their attendants can get ready for the big day. Executive Director Kathy Young, whose tenure included building of the facility, is retiring, but Board President Charlie Alexander said they hope to announce a new director in the next two weeks.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth now has a beautiful, new event center – the Barn at Woodlawn. Alan Baker, a dedicated supporter for whom the Baker Center is named, officially cut the ribbon Friday evening before an enthusiastic crowd of business leaders, city officials, and others who were treated to tours, a wine bar, finger foods, bagpipe and guitar music, and presentations from Board President Charlie Alexander, Ellsworth City Manager Charlie Pearce and representatives from E.L. Shea Builders. The Barn features touches of history – wood panels and doors from the Nixon Black days – along with a fully modern kitchen, event center, conference rooms, an archive for historical documents, and a suite complete with a shower where brides and their attendants can get ready for the big day. Board member Andy Mathews tells Star 97.7 the Barn has already hosted its first wedding. You likely won’t find a more perfect venue or beautiful setting.
Congratulatory Notes
(Maine) Congratulations and/or best wishes are in order for several Mainers. Lieutenant Jeff Currier stepped down Friday, ready to enjoy retirement after 32 years with the Maine Forest Service. Ten year old Katie Kent of Orono’s accomplishments are just beginning. She took first place in the 1500 meter race walk for 9-10 year olds at the USA Track and Field Youth Outdoor Track Championships in Manhattan on Friday. And Peter Mills, Executive Director of the Maine Turnpike Authority for the past 13 years is stepping down. Mills, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer three years ago, said age and health were factors in his decision to retire.
Sports
Maine’s Basketball phenom, Cooper Flagg, has been chosen to train with and play against the US Olympic basketball team this summer. The former Nokomis high school player and Duke signee is expected to be a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Red Sox have the night off tonight. They’ll be in Miami Tuesday to run the bases against the Marlins.