Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Great White Shark Spotted Off Coast of Scarborough
(Scarborough) Folks in Scarborough are gonna need a bigger boat. WGME reports a Great White shark that has been spotted along the Maine coast recently has been confirmed as sighted off the coast of Scarborough. Scarborough Public Safety says the predator is a juvenile great white, approximately eight feet long. It’s believed to be the same shark spotted last week by a commercial fisherman and then by paddle boarders near Cape Elizabeth. Officials warn folks to not let their guard down while in the water, and to swim close to shore, stay in groups, avoid swimming in areas close to seals or fish, and they say don’t swim near dawn or dusk when light is low and sharks are actively feeding.
(Scarborough) Scarborough Public Safety officials have confirmed the sighting of a great white shark off the coast of Scarborough. WGME reports the predator is a juvenile great white, believed to be about eight feet long, and is likely the same shark spotted last week by a commercial fisherman and then by paddle boarders near Cape Elizabeth. Officials warn folks to not let their guard down while in the water, and to swim close to shore, stay in groups, avoid swimming in areas close to seals or fish, and they say don’t swim near dawn or dusk when light is low and sharks are actively feeding.
Two Die in Crash Following Police Chase
(Bangor) Two people died Monday in a crash in Bangor, following a police chase. WABI-TV reports Sheena Soctomah-Rolfe of Orono, and Noah Mushero of Bangor, both 39, died at the scene after the car in which they were traveling left the roadway at a high rate of speed and smashed into a tree. The crash happened about 9:30 yesterday morning on Finson Road. Sources say the two were in a chase with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office shortly before the fatality. Bangor Police say the two were in a brief chase with them on Saturday morning, but officers called off that pursuit. They say Mushero was on probation. Maine State Police are working to reconstruct the crash.
(Bangor) A high speed chase with law enforcement resulted in the deaths of two people Monday morning in Bangor. WABI-TV reports Sheena Soctomah-Rolfe of Orono, and Noah Mushero of Bangor, both 39, died at the scene after the car in which they were traveling left the roadway at a high rate of speed and smashed into a tree. The crash happened about 9:30 a.m. on Finson Road. Authorities say the two were in a chase with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office. Bangor Police say the two were in a brief chase with them on Saturday morning, but officers called off that pursuit. They say Mushero was on probation. Maine State Police are working to reconstruct the crash.
Deer Isle Resident Cited For Criminal Mischief
(Deer Isle) A Deer Isle resident is accused of purposely rear-ending another resident’s vehicle over the weekend, causing reportable damage. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports the victim reported the incident about 11:30 Sunday morning. After further investigation, 40 yo Matthew Eaton was summoned for criminal mischief and issued a written trespass warning.
Local Politics
Hundreds Submit Ideas for New Maine State Flag
(Augusta) Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has her work cut out for her this week. She’ll be sifting through about 400 submissions presented for the design of a new Maine state flag. The law requires the flag to include a buff background, a pine tree in the center and a blue five-point star, similar to the original Maine state flag, but that apparently leaves room for creativity. Not everyone is sold on the proposed new design, with some preferring the more detailed current flag, which they say better captures the essence of Maine as a whole. It features a moose, farmer, sailor and the state’s name in Latin on a blue background. Bellows will have the final say on the pine tree flag design, but voters will have the final say on whether the state keeps the current more detailed flag or changes to the more basic pine tree design when they go to the polls in November.
(Augusta) About 400 people submitted proposals for the design of a new Maine state flag. The law requires the flag to include a buff background, a pine tree in the center and a blue five-point star, similar to the original Maine state flag, but that apparently left room for a good deal of variation. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows now has the difficult task of choosing a winner to go before voters in November. But that won’t be voters’ only choice. Some say the current flag, which sports the state seal, a farmer, a sailor, a moose and the state’s name in Latin on a blue background better captures the essence of Maine as a whole. Voters will have the final say between the two this fall.
Economy
New United States CDC Rules Could Put Can-Am Sled Dog Race in Jeopardy
(Fort Kent) A Canadian woman who won Fort Kent’s last Cam-Am sled dog race in 2023, said the U.S. CDC’s new regulations for traveling across the border with dogs could threaten the future of the event. The Bangor Daily News reports Katherine Langlais of New Brunswick as saying the new regulations would be a logistical nightmare for potential competitors. The rules, which go into effect August 1st, would require dogs to be at least six months old, have an agency veterinarian’s signature that the dog is arriving from a low-risk or rabies-free country, and have ISO compatible microchips and new rabies vaccinations. Langlais said the time and expense involved with meeting the new requirements could result in lower turnouts in mushing events throughout North America.
Environment
Wild Animals on Orono Boardwalk
(Orono) The Orono Boardwalk is one of the most fascinating places in the area for a stroll. You’ll see all kinds of interesting flora and fauna. And now officials are cautioning you might see a bear. A volunteer doing the morning walk around early Sunday morning found bear footprints on the Boardwalk. On Monday afternoon, an aggressive raccoon greeted visitors near Station 2. Bangor Animal Control was called in and dealt with that animal. No specifics were given.
“Sting Operation” at Washington County Jail
(Machias) There was a “sting operation” yesterday in Machias that had the whole town buzzing. Fortunately, the perps were already in jail. Or more accurately, just outside that facility. It seems forty to fifty thousand honey bees decided an old vent from the jail was a good place to call home. The county enlisted the help of two local beekeepers who suited up and were raised up – the hive was located more than 30 feet up on the jail’s outside façade. Bill Case and Jim Lenke were able to remove the bees and relocate the hive to a local farm.
(Machias) Thousands swarmed the Washington County Jail in Machias yesterday – bees, that is. Some forty to fifty thousand honey bees decided an old vent from the jail was a good place to call home. Not so good when a few of them ventured inside the jail. So the county enlisted the help of two local beekeepers who suited up and were raised up – the hive was located more than 30 feet up on the jail’s outside façade. Bill Case and Jim Lenke were able to remove the bees and relocate the hive to a local farm. I’ve posted a video of the “jail break” on my (Sonnie Shepherd) FB page – it certainly had the whole town buzzing.
Infrastructure
Working Waterfronts Receive Resilience Grants
(Maine) Working waterfronts across Maine were decimated by winter storms, but recovery funds are finally on their way. Governor Janet Mills Monday announced 68 of those hit by back-to-back devastation will share $21.2M in resilience grants from the State of Maine. Among them, Perry’s Lobster Shack in Surry, Chipman’s Wharf in Milbridge, Stonington Lobster Co-op, and entities in Corea, Jonesport, Addison, and Beals, among others. You’ll find a link to the recipients on my FB page and at maine dot gov.
(Maine) Stonington, Sorrento, Corea, Jonesport, and SW Harbor – working waterfronts in those and many other coastal areas decimated by winter storms got some long-awaited news of relief yesterday. Governor Janet Mills announced 68 of those hit by back-to-back devastation will share $21.2M in resilience grants from the State of Maine. Among them, Guptil’s Wharf in Jonesport, Perry’s Lobster Shack in Surry, Chipman’s Wharf in Milbridge and entities in Addison, Beals, Machiasport, and Lubec, among others. You’ll find a link to the recipients on my FB page and at maine dot gov.
Human Interest/Entertainment
MIlbridge Days
(Milbridge) It’s finally here – this weekend is Milbridge Days. Volunteer and Coordinator Richard Bondurant tells Star 97.7, this year’s theme is “The Wizard of Oz” … and there’s a very special reason behind that. (((MilDay 1 “… Milbridge Days, in honor of Dave Parsons.” :24))) The weekend begins Thursday with a huge cribbage tourney and Latin Grammy Nominee Fior Bromley in concert at 2. Friday, there’s a pet parade and The Allison Ames Band in concert at the waterfront, and then a big day on Saturday and activities right through Sunday. For a complete schedule, visit Milbridge Days on Facebook.
(Milbridge) The Milbridge Days weekend is always chock full, but Volunteer and Organizer Richard Bondurant tells Star 97.7, this year they wanted to fill it with even more activities at a huge field set aside with kids and family activities. (((MilDays 2 “…from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the field there.” :21))) Bondurant says they’ll have a professional caricature artist for kids, and the Downeast Institute is bringing an interactive sea life touch tank. He says the community really stepped up to provide this great new offering. See a complete schedule of this weekend’s Milbridge Days activities on their FB page.
(Milbridge) Milbridge Days kicks off this Thursday and goes right through Sunday with a Family Day Picnic from 10-1 Sunday that includes a bounce house, food and more at the Marina. Of course, the big day is Saturday, with a parade beginning at 11 a.m., followed by the Fire Department Auxiliary’s Lobster Bake that often serves up to 400 lobster lunches. And of course, Volunteer Richard Bondurant tells Star 97.7, there’s lots more to see, shop for, and snack on (((MilDay 3 “…so we have plenty of food for everybody to enjoy.” :18))). And don’t miss the fireworks Saturday night over the marina after sunset. For a full schedule of Milbridge Days events, check them out on FB.
(Milbridge) Often duplicated, but there’s nothing like the original! We’re talking about the codfish relays that began in Milbridge and now happen every year during Milbridge Days. Volunteer and Coordinator Richard Bondurant tells Star 97.7, the Milbridge event, now copied by many, has been featured on TV shows, and they were even written up in Sports Illustrated. (((MilDay 4 “…it’s a huge adventure and a lot of fun to watch.” :19))). The Milbridge Days 41st Annual Codfish Relay is set for 2:30 this Saturday at the Town Hall field. For a complete schedule of this year’s Milbridge Days events, check them out on FB.
Sports
The Rockies take game one of a series against the Red Sox 9-8 last night in Colorado. Teams on the field again tonight for game two of that series.