Happy Fourth of July!
Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Boating Safety
(Maine) Looks like it might be a perfect day to get that boat out on the water. The Maine Marine Patrol cautions they’ll be out there with you, looking out for anyone violating Maine’s boating-under-the-influence laws and sharing safety information during National Operation Dry Water weekend, today through July 6th. The weekend is in coordination with the US Coast Guard, as well as local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. MMP says alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating incidents – listed as the leading factor in 18% of deaths. They say BUI laws apply to all vessels, from rowboats and kayaks to the largest ships.
(Maine) The Maine Marine Patrol says they hope you have a beautiful day on the water, but do so responsibly. Today through July 6th, the patrol will be working with the US Coast Guard, as well as local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, looking out for anyone violating Maine’s boating-under-the-influence laws and sharing safety information during National Operation Dry Water weekend. They say research shows environmental stressors like sun, wind, noise, and boat movement while on the water intensify the effects of alcohol or drug use, and boaters can become impaired more quickly on the water than on land. BUI laws apply to all vessels, from rowboats and kayaks to the largest ships.
Ellsworth Garage Fire
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Fire Department responded to a structure fire on North Street yesterday afternoon. The blaze was called in just before 2:30 p.m. and destroyed the back side of a garage. Fire crews were able to tamp down the fire within three minutes and save a house which was next to the garage. Only the shed and its contents were damaged. Waltham, Mariaville, and Trenton firefighters also assisted. No word yet on a cause of that fire.
(Ellsworth) Quick work on the part of the Ellsworth Fire Department Wednesday afternoon prevented a garage fire on North Street from spreading to the house next door. Crews got the call shortly before 2:30 and were on the scene and had the fire tamped down minutes later, preventing further damage. No word on a cause of that blaze.
Infant Death
(Biddeford) Authorities continue investigating the June 20th death of an infant in Biddeford. Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, on June 15th the Biddeford Fire and Police Departments responded to a home on Emery Street for a report of an unresponsive one month old boy. The infant was taken to Southern Maine Hospital, then transferred to the Maine Medical Center where he later died. Per protocol a State Police Major Crimes unit was called in and an autopsy was conducted by the medical examiner. The cause and manner of death are being withheld at this time.
(Biddeford) The investigation continues into the June 20th death of a Biddeford infant. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, first responders went to a home on Emery Street on June 15th on a report of an unresponsive one month old. The child was ultimately transported to the Maine Medical Center, where he died on June 20th. Per standard procedure, a State Police Major Crimes unit was called in and an autopsy was performed by the state medical examiner. Authorities are currently withholding the cause and manner of the child’s death.
Economy
Price of Stamps Going Up
(CNN) Better get into your local post office this week. The price of stamps is going up again. Beginning July 14th, the cost to mail a first class letter jumps to 73 cents from the current 68 cents per first class stamp. The price to mail postcards and metered letters is going up, as well. CNN reports the hikes are part of the postal service’s ten-year “Delivering for America” plan and are expected to generate $44B in additional revenue by 2031.
(CNN) Can you really put a price on a personal note you find in your mailbox? The US Post Office says yes, you can … and that price is going up come July 14th. The cost of a first class stamp is being raised by a nickel, from 68 to 73 cents. The cost of mailing a postcard and metered letters is increasing as well. The jump is expected to generate an additional $44B in revenue by 2031. Still hard to beat that personal touch of a card or letter over an email birthday or get well greeting.
Friends of Acadia Purchases Property for Workforce Housing
(Bar Harbor) In a move designed to help alleviate Acadia National Park’s workforce housing crisis, Friends of Acadia has purchased 18 acres on Jordan River Road in Trenton. The Mount Desert Islander reports the property includes six two-bedroom townhomes that were built in 1985. Friends of Acadia plans to renovate and convert the townhouses to seasonal workforce housing for the Park and its partners, with first priority given to Island Explorer bus drivers in 2025.
(Bar Harbor) Acadia National Park and its partners have struggled to attract workers in the past few years; in part due to a lack of affordable seasonal housing. Now, Friends of Acadia has taken a step to help alleviate the workforce housing crisis with the purchase of 18 acres on Jordan River Road in Trenton. The Mount Desert Islander reports the property includes six two-bedroom townhomes that were built in 1985. Friends of Acadia plans to renovate and convert the townhouses to seasonal workforce housing for the Park and its partners, with first priority given to Island Explorer bus drivers in 2025.
Education
School Districts Banning Use of Cell Phones During School Day
(Bath) Another district in Maine is banning the use of cell phones during the school day. RSU 1 in Bath passed a policy last month that will require sixth through twelfth graders to lock their phones and smart watches into a magnetic pouch for the entirety of the school day. Maine Public reports districts in Augusta, South Portland and Westbrook recently imposed similar bans, with school officials already reporting students as being more engaged in learning and classroom activities without the electronic devices. Last month, the US Surgeon General called for lawmakers to put a warning on social media platforms because of their potential harm to children’s mental health.
(Bath) Calling it a technology addiction that’s contributing to student mental health challenges, the Bath School District is the latest to ban the use of cell phones during the school day for sixth through twelfth graders. Under a policy passed last month, students will be required to lock their phone or smart watch into a magnetic pouch for the entirety of the school day. School officials acknowledge implementing the policy will take some time, but schools that have already instituted such policies – Augusta, South Portland, and Westbrook, among others – report students are more engaged in learning and classroom activities without the constant distraction. Maine Public reports one expert as saying, “…we’re going to see our kids become healthier, more well-rounded, and more interactive with each other.”
Infrastructure
Downtown Searsport Gets a Construction Breather
(Searsport) Businesses in Downtown Searsport are getting a breather – at least until Monday. Route One construction has been suspended through Sunday, so it’s a great few days to get over there and support the local shops and eateries that have endured detours and street closures while the final phase of Route One upgrades is completed. No word on a completion date for the project, and it will no doubt be great when finished; but it’s been a tough go for local small businesses that we’re sure will greatly appreciate your business.
(Searsport) While the final phase of Route One construction will be a huge plus for Downtown Searsport, it’s been a rough go for small, local businesses that have endured sidewalk closures, detours, noise, and dust. Good news … at least for the next few days. Work on the road has been suspended until Monday; so at least until then, the detours are lifted. A good opportunity to get over to Searsport and support the many wonderful small businesses that dot Main Street.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Fourth of July
(Undated) Parades, fireworks, flag waving, and other festivities will thrill crowds across the country today as the United States celebrates 248 years of Democracy. It was on July 4th, 1776, that the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence to announce the colonies’ separation from Great Britain, according to the Library of Congress. Most of the delegates actually signed the document a month later on August 2nd, risking everything if the British won the Revolution. Even though the colonies were victorious, some of the men paid dearly for supporting Independence. Today will be a day of celebration, but the months to come promise to be a test to see who, like those men, put the country above self so that democracy can flourish another 248 years.
(Undated) It was July 4th, 1776, that a small band of believers in the ideals of democracy, the Second Continental Congress, gathered to unanimously adopt the Declaration of Independence. It was a month later, on August 2nd, those men risked everything, signing their names to a document that would, if Great Britain won the Revolution, cost them everything, including their lives. But those lofty goals of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people won out some 248 years ago. Today is a good day to remember those ideals that cost so many so dearly as they put country above power and ego, people above political gain, and intelligent compromise over dogged extremism. Here’s to another 248 years; but only if we, like our brave forefathers, take an active role in protecting our Democracy and the ideals that shaped it.
Sports
Red Sox on a roll against the Marlins – Boston with a 7-2 win last night. Teams on the field in Miami again this afternoon (1:10). Red Sox take on the Yankees tomorrow in New York.