Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Teens Likely Drowned at Sanford Recreation Area
(Sanford) A pair of teenage brothers is believed to have drowned Sunday while swimming at a local recreation area in Sanford. Authorities began searching the area after the 17 year olds failed to return home from the Springvale Recreation/Holdsworth Park by curfew. The teens’ bodies were found in one of the park’s waterways. The Chief Medical Examiner will conduct autopsies as part of an investigation, though police don’t suspect any foul play.
(Sanford) Authoriities say a pair of teens whose bodies were recovered from a waterway at the Springvale Recreation area in Sanford overnight Sunday likely drowned. The 17-year-olds were reported missing after they failed to return from swimming at Holdsworth Park by their curfew. Officers were notified about 11 p.m. and found the teens’ bodies in one of the park’s waterways. The Chief Medical Examiner will conduct autopsies as part of an investigation, though police don’t suspect any foul play.
“Armed and Dangerous” Suspect Taken into Custody
(Oxford County) A Gilead man who was considered armed and dangerous was taken into custody Monday morning in Oxford County. 28 yo Jacob McGurn had been on the run for several days but turned himself in in Bethel without incident, according to the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office. McGurn allegedly fired a gun several times during a physical altercation with another man on July 4th in Gilead, but fled the area before police arrived. Authorities had asked the public to be on the lookout and to not approach McGurn if seen.
(Oxford County) A fugitive who was considered armed and dangerous is off the streets today. The Oxford County Sheriff’s Office said 28 yo Jacob McGurn fired a gun several times during a physical confrontation with another man in Gilead on the Fourth of July. He fled the area before police arrived, and authorities have been searching for him since last Thursday. McGurn reportedly turned himself in at about 10:30 Monday morning. He’s being held in the Oxford County Jail.
Economy
Jonesport Area Resource Fair
(Jonesport) The Sunrise County Economic Council invites folks to a Resource Fair this afternoon at Peabody Memorial Library in Jonesport. Learn about recovery support, support for families, workforce support for job seekers, education and training opportunities, and more. The no-cost event is open to all – the library is located at 162 Main Street in Jonesport.
SUN Bucks Help with Summer Meals
(Maine) School age children between the ages of 6 and 17 who participated in SNAP, TANF, Food Distribution on Indian Reservations or similar programs or who were in foster care during this past school year are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks, which will be mailed between now and August 2nd, based on county of residence. The EBT cards, known as Pine Tree cards, can be used at any retailer that participates in SNAP, including at grocery stores and farmers markets. Cards can be used to purchase healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meats and other protein sources, whole grains and dairy.
(Maine) In an effort to continue to help stem hunger, many families in Maine will soon begin receiving SUN Bucks. School age children between the ages of 6 and 17 who participated in SNAP, TANF, Food Distribution on Indian Reservations or similar programs or who were in foster care during this past school year are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks, which will be mailed between now and August 2nd, based on county of residence. The EBT cards can be used at any retailer that participates in SNAP – including at grocery stores and farmers markets – to purchase healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meats and other protein sources, whole grains and dairy.
Schoodic Food Pantry Seeking Donations for Chinese Auction
(Gouldsboro) The Schoodic Food Pantry is seeking donations from area businesses as part of a Chinese Auction to benefit the pantry. The pantry, located in Gouldsboro, serves over 900 adults and children a month. While they receive a thousand pounds of food each month from Good Shepherd, they say roughly TWO thousand pounds of food goes out the door. So they shop for the nutritious food appreciated by those in need, and money raised will help them to put food on their shelves. If your business or you as an individual would like to donate, contact Director Donna Harmon at the pantry. We’ll post the phone number and email address with this story on our Star 97.7 website. (207) 650-9164. [email protected]
(Gouldsboro) The Schoodic Food Pantry in Gouldsboro serves more than 360 families each month – nearly a thousand adults and children that otherwise wouldn’t have the nutritious meals they need. The pantry is looking for donations from area businesses and individuals for a Chinese Auction that will help them stock their shelves. While they receive a thousand pounds of food each month from Good Shepherd, they say TWO thousand pounds of food goes out their doors. If you’d like to donate or would like more information, contact pantry Director Donna Harmon. We’ll post the phone number and email address with this story on our Star 97.7 website. (207) 650-9164. [email protected]
Environment
Heat Melts Wax Sculpture
(Washington, DC) How hot is it? Hot enough to melt a wax sculpture in Washington, DC last month. NewsCenter Maine reports an art installation depicting the Lincoln Memorial had been on display at Garrison Elementary in Southwest DC since February. But Honest Abe couldn’t take the heat. The statue was created with wicks, with visitors invited to light flames, and then quickly blow them out before leaving the site. But by late last month, Lincoln had lost his head – yep, the heat wave had totally melted it away. The sculptor, Sandy Williams IV, says it’s just another warning about the reality of global warming. The statue was supposed to stay up through September, but the school’s principal says it will now be removed before students return on August 26th.
(Washington, DC) Honest Abe has lost his head over global warming. NewsCenter Maine reports Sandy Williams IV created a wax sculpture of the Lincoln Memorial that has been on display at Garrison Elementary School in Washington, DC since February. But during last month’s heat wave, Lincoln’s head melted away, leading to a gruesome sight and a grim warning about climate change. The statue was scheduled to remain in place through September, but the school’s principal says it will now be removed before students return on August 26th.
UMaine/Wyman’s Study Impact of Climate on Blueberries
(Orono) Maine produces 99% of all blueberries in the US; but like our coastlines, weather, and other crops, the berries are vulnerable to extreme weather patterns. Wyman’s has partnered with the University of Maine to study how wild blueberries are impacted by climate change and to learn how the crops can be more sustainable. NewsCenter reports because wild blueberry plants only produce fruit every other year, they’re especially sensitive to the environment. UMaine students are simulating different weather conditions and testing how blueberries grow in current conditions and in climate conditions predicted by the end of the century with higher temperatures and more rain.
(Orono) Warming waters in the Gulf of Maine, devastating back to back storms causing millions in damage, and record setting temperatures. All wake up calls to prepare for the inevitable climate change yet to come. Farmers are no exception. Wyman’s has partnered with the University of Maine to study how wild blueberries are impacted by climate change and to learn how the crops can be more sustainable. NewsCenter reports UMaine students are simulating different weather conditions and testing how blueberries grow in current conditions and in climate conditions predicted by the end of the century with higher temperatures and more rain, especially important since the state produces 99% of all blueberries in the U.S.
Infrastructure
Bucksport Historic Building Preservation
(Bucksport) The new owner of a historic bank building in downtown Bucksport says he’s not sure what he’ll do with the 114 year old building, but he IS sure he wants to preserve it. The Bangor Daily News reports Matthew Cunningham, a landscape architect who now lives in Boston, bought the 3400 square foot building last month. Cunningham grew up in Bucksport and said he had long admired the former Merrill Trust Company facility where his grandparents were customers. Cunningham says he’s considering ideas ranging from a satellite studio of his landscape business, an art gallery, brewery, restaurant or café.
(Bucksport) The town of Bucksport has managed to thrive since the mill closed, largely because of forward thinkers like Matthew Cunningham, the new owner of the 114 year old historic bank building on the corner of Main and Federal. Cunningham says he’s not sure what the future holds for the building, which still has the original vault and a two bedroom apartment in the basement, but he does plan to preserve it. The Bangor Daily News reports Cunningham, a landscape architect in Boston who grew up in Bucksport, is considering ideas ranging from a satellite studio of his landscape business, an art gallery, brewery, restaurant or café.
Wind Turbines on Their Way Through Hancock and Washington Counties
(Ellsworth) Those wind turbine parts headed for Columbia were finally on the road Monday morning. The oversized loads began their journey at the Mack Point cargo terminal in Searsport, headed through Bucksport on Route One, then on to Ellsworth where they’ll traverse Main Street downtown and connect with Washington Junction Road, then back onto Route One through Hancock, Sullivan, Gouldsboro and on to Columbia. Shipments will occur in the early morning hours five days a week into October.
Power Outage
(Maine) Versant Power says a massive power outage Monday evening was the result of a disruption at a local substation. About 9600 customers from Ellsworth to Mount Desert Island and beyond were affected just as night fell – between 8 and 8:30 last evening. Crews were immediately on the job working to restore power.
(Maine) Lots of folks woke up this morning to find their digital clocks flashing. Versant Power says a massive power outage Monday evening was caused by a disruption at a local substation. As homes and businesses darkened, Facebook lit up with questions about who had lost power – about 9600 households were affected, from Ellsworth to MDI and beyond. Crews worked quickly to restore power.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Bottle Drive for Animal Welfare
(Harrington) Those returnable bottles and cans can add up to vital services, especially when it comes to animal rescue. The Messenger Animal Rescue in Harrington is holding a bottle drive, bake sale, raffle and yard sale fundraising event on Saturday, August 3rd, from 9 to 1 at the Franklin Vets Club. Money raised will help with spay and neuter of animals in the rescue’s care. The shelter is run by Harrington Animal Control Officer Sarah Strout, who works tirelessly to care for the stray, abandoned, and homeless animals in her area. Read her inspiring story on the Messenger FB page, and please be sure and support them on August 3rd.
(Harrington) We’re always amazed at the work of the dedicated humans who put in countless hours to rescue strays, the abused, and homeless animals. In Harrington, that’s the work of The Messenger Animal Rescue, run by Animal Control Officer Sarah Strout. On August 3rd, the shelter is having a bottle drive, bake sale, raffle and yard sale from 9 to 1 at the Franklin Vets Club. Money raised will help spay and neuter the animals in the shelter’s care. Population control is crucial to preventing animal suffering, so save those bottles and cans! Learn more by visiting The Messenger Animal Rescue on FB.
Sports
The Red Sox on the field at Fenway this evening to lead off a series against the Oakland A’s.