Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Augusta Fugitive Found Deceased
(Augusta) Augusta authorities say they’ve found the body of a man wanted for a domestic assault against his parents on July 5th. Officers were called to a home on Riverside Drive last Friday; but the suspect, 40 yo Justin Larrabee had fled. A search has been ongoing since, with the Augusta Police Department warning Larrabee was “armed and dangerous”. About 11:30 Tuesday morning, a body was discovered in the Kennebec River. The body was confirmed to be Larrabee. Police did not release a cause of death.
(Augusta) Augusta Police Chief Kevin Lully says a suspect wanted for a July 5th domestic violence incident has been found deceased. Officers were called to a Riverside Drive home last Friday on a report that 40 yo Jason Larrabee had assaulted his parents. Larrabee fled before police arrived and was considered “armed and dangerous”. On Tuesday morning about 11:30 a.m., a body was discovered at the base of the Route 3 Cushnoc Crossing Bridge. The body was pulled from the Kennebec River and positively identified as the suspect. Authorities did not specify a cause or manner of death.
EMS Providers Honored
(Thomaston) EMS providers are trained to make every effort to save lives. Still, the Pen Bay Pilot reports, it’s rare when CPR is successful to the point the patient is still alive, breathing, and up walking around eight months later. Even more rare when successful CPR occurs with two patients in one year. This week, multiple Thomaston EMS, fire, and police providers, as well as a dispatcher at Waldo County Communications were recognized for their roles in saving two lives in the past year, using CPR. The lifesaving calls happened last September and another just this past July 4th. Job well done.
(Thomaston) Small but mighty – that’s the work of Maine’s many rural and small town EMS providers. While these heroes are trained to make every effort to save lives, after one minute of cardiac arrest, chances of survival drop significantly and continue to drop; so survival is rare, even with CPR. Within the past year, Thomaston EMS providers have successfully used CPR to the point two patients did survive – one last September and another just on July 4th. The Pen Bay Pilot reports at this week’s Select Board meeting, multiple Thomaston EMS, fire, and police providers and a Waldo County dispatcher were recognized for their roles in saving those lives. Congratulations to those often unsung heroes.
Local Politics
Rally for Fossil Fuel Divestment
(Augusta) A group of Maine public employees, MainePERS beneficiaries, and activists of Divest Maine will gather outside MainePERS tomorrow. The groups are demanding the board follow the 2021 law that directs them to divest all assets from fossil fuel investments by 2026. They say institutions like pension funds are bankrolling the climate crisis and fossil fuel projects that many consider disastrous. The rally will take place between Noon and 1 p.m. Thursday at 139 Capitol Street in Augusta.
(Augusta) As another summer is marked by extreme wildfires, following a winter and spring of destructive storms attributed the climate change, Divest Maine and others are calling on MainePERS to divest all assets from fossil fuel investments by 2026. Maine Public employees and MainePERS beneficiaries will join Divest Maine activists at a rally tomorrow in Augusta. The groups say institutions like pension funds are bankrolling the climate crisis and fossil fuel projects that many consider disastrous. The rally will take place between Noon and 1 p.m. Thursday in front of MainePERS, 139 Capitol Street in Augusta.
Economy
Community Closet 207 Opens in Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) Community Closet 207 is now open at 330 Water Street in Ellsworth. Like the former Community Closet that served the area for years, the new version offers new and gently used items to those in need in the community – from books, to clothing, to baby items, and cookware. The 501c3 nonprofit is open Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday from 11 to 3 and Wednesdays from 2 to 6. The store will have an official Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday, August 4th, form 11 to 4, with a bounce house, kids’ activities, and other surprises. The doors are open now – check them out on FB for a sneak preview of what they have to offer.
(Ellsworth) Community Closet 207 opened its doors this week at 330 Water Street in Ellsworth. The store is a 501c3 nonprofit offering new and gently used items to serve the community with baby items and clothing, cookware and dishes, books, hats, picture frames and more. Community Closet 207 is open Sunday through Tuesday from 11 to 3 and Wednesdays from 2 to 6 and is planning an official Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony from 11 to 4 on Sunday, August 4th. The Open House will feature a bounce house, the Darling’s ice cream truck, and other surprises. Check them out on FB and then head on down to see what treasures YOU can find!
Hundreds Comment on PFML
(Augusta) Nearly 300 – that’s the number of people who left comments with the Maine Department of Labor regarding proposed Paid Family Medical Leave rules. The public comment period ended Monday. The Department says it’s in the process of reviewing all the comments and will then make changes to the proposed rule based on the comments received. MDOL says it also has the option of issuing another version of the rule for further public comment. The Proposed Rule for the program must be adopted by the Department by January 1, 2025.
(Augusta) Ask and you shall receive. The Maine Department of Labor asked for public comment on the proposed Paid Family Medical Leave rules – and nearly 300 individuals responded by the public comment deadline on Monday. Next, MDOL says it will review all those comments and make changes. It also has the option of issuing another version of the rule for further public comment. The Proposed Rule for the program must be adopted by the Department by January 1, 2025.
State’s Largest Natural Gas Supplier Buys BNGC
(Bangor) The state’s largest supplier of natural gas on Tuesday announced it is buying Bangor Natural Gas, the state’s second largest provider. WMTW reports Unitil will pay $70.9M to acquire the Bangor company. According to the Maine Public Utilities Commission, Unitil supplies about 27,000 customers in Greater Portland, the Lewiston/Auburn area, and Kittery, while BNG serves about 8,500 customers in Bangor, Brewer, Veazie, Orono and Old Town and is installing a pipeline to serve Bucksport. The transaction must be approved by MPUC, but Unitil said it expects to close the deal by the first quarter of 2025.
(Bangor) Unitil, Maine’s largest supplier of natural gas, announced Tuesday it is buying Bangor Natural Gas, the state’s second largest supplier. The nearly $70.9M deal must still be approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission, but Unitil says it expects to close the deal by the first quarter next year. WMTW reports Unitil supplies about 27,000 customers in Greater Portland, the Lewiston/Auburn area, and Kittery, while BNG serves about 8,500 customers in Bangor, Brewer, Veazie, Orono and Old Town and is installing a pipeline to serve Bucksport.
Environment
Annual Loon Count
(Maine) Maine Audubon’s annual loon count is set for Saturday, July 20th. Hundreds of volunteers will monitor lakes and ponds across the state between 7 and 7:30 a.m. that day to search for and count the red-eyed birds with the haunting call. Maine Audubon uses the data gathered to estimate and track population trends. Maine has the largest population of loons in the eastern U.S., making breeding success essential. For information on how to volunteer for The Maine Loon Project, visit maine audubon dot org.
(Maine) Maine’s population of loons is the largest in the eastern United States. Even so, the red-eyed birds with the haunting calls face threats, such as trauma from boat strikes, lead poisoning from discarded lead tackle, and eggs being washed from their nests by vessel wakes (the birds typically nest close to the shore’s edge). Maine Audubon tracks the population of loons with their Annual Loon Count and uses the data to help protect the birds. This year’s count is set for Saturday, July 20th. Hundreds of volunteers will be on lakes and ponds between 7 and 7:30 a.m. that day collecting data. For information on how to volunteer for The Maine Loon Project, visit maine audubon dot org.
Health
Jamestown Canyon Virus Found in Orono Mosquito Samples
(Orono) The town of Orono is alerting residents after the Jamestown Canyon Virus was found in a mosquito sample collected by the Maine CDC. According to the C-D-C, symptoms include fever, headache, and fatigue, but can also be more severe. Jamestown Canyon is spread through mosquito bites. Orono town officials say they are waiting for more information from the state and will make that available to the public as well.
(Orono) Yet another reason to take measures to protect yourself from those pesky mosquitoes. The Maine CDC reports Jamestown Canyon Virus was found in a sample collected by the CDC in Orono. Symptoms of the malady include fever, headache, and fatigue, but the disease can also be more severe. Orono town officials say they are waiting for more information from the state and will make that information public when it is received.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Rotary Club Blueberry Pancake Breakfast
(Ellsworth) It’s almost time for the Rotary Blueberry Pancake Breakfast! This year’s event is planned for Saturday, August 3rd, from 7 to 10 a.m. Rotary Club members will have you flipping for flapjacks under the big tent at the Downeast Family Y in Ellsworth that day. All you can eat blueberry pancakes – including gluten free – sausage, juice and coffee. Just $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 12. And, of course, the proceeds go towards the many charitable acts funded by the Ellsworth Rotary.
(Ellsworth) It’s almost time to flip out for flapjacks! This year’s Rotary Blueberry Pancake Breakfast is set for Saturday, August 3rd. Rotary Club Members will be greasing the griddles under the big tent at the Downeast Family YMCA parking lot in Ellsworth between 7 and 10 that morning. Close to a thousand folks are expected to syrup it up, with all you can eat blueberry pancakes – including gluten free – sausage, juice and coffee. Just $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 12. And, of course, the proceeds go towards the many charitable acts funded by the Ellsworth Rotary.
Sports
Red Sox beat the Oakland A’s at Fenway last night 12-9. Teams on the field in Boston again this evening.