Crime/Public Safety/Drugs Bar Harbor Plane Crash (Trenton)  Two people died yesterday afternoon when a small plane crashed in foggy conditions on approach to the runway at the Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton.  Authorities say the single engine aircraft caught fire upon impact and was destroyed.  The pilot and the sole passenger were killed.  Multiple agencies, […]

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Local News 07/26/24

Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Bar Harbor Plane Crash

(Trenton)  Two people died yesterday afternoon when a small plane crashed in foggy conditions on approach to the runway at the Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton.  Authorities say the single engine aircraft caught fire upon impact and was destroyed.  The pilot and the sole passenger were killed.  Multiple agencies, including the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Fire Marshal’s Office, and Trenton, Ellsworth and Bar Harbor Fire Departments responded to the scene about 12:30 Thursday.  The aircraft had taken off from Morristown Airport in New Jersey.  The names of the deceased have not yet been released, pending positive identification by the Medical Examiner’s Office and notification of next of kin.  The FAA and the NTSB are investigating.

(Trenton)  No word yet this morning on the cause of the crash of a single engine plane at the Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton yesterday.  Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, the crash occurred about 12:25 p.m. as the Cirrus SR 22 approached the runway.  The plane burst into flames upon impact.  Two people on board – the pilot and sole passenger – were killed, and the plane was destroyed.  Cape Air confirmed it was not one of their fleet.  The aircraft had taken off from Morristown Airport in New Jersey,.  Pictures show heavy fog enshrouding the airport at the time of the crash.  The names of the deceased have not yet been released, pending positive identification by the Medical Examiner’s Office and notification of next of kin.  The FAA and the NTSB are investigating.

(Trenton)  A tragedy Thursday afternoon at the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton.  Authorities say a small aircraft was approaching the runway about 12:30 p.m. when it crashed and burst into flames upon impact.  Multiple agencies, including the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Fire Marshal’s Office, and Trenton, Ellsworth and Bar Harbor Fire Departments responded to the scene.  The two people on board, a pilot and the sole passenger, died in the crash.  Names of the deceased have not been released pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.  The aircraft had taken off from Morristown Airport in New Jersey.  Pictures show heavy fog enshrouding the airport at the time of the crash. The FAA and the NTSB will look for a cause.

(Trenton)  A tragic afternoon Thursday at the Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton.  Authorities say two people were killed when their single engine plane crashed as it approached the runway and burst into flames.  Multiple agencies were quickly on the scene of the crash, which happened around 12:30 p.m.  Names of the deceased, the pilot and a single passenger, have not been released, pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.  The plane, a Cirrus SR 22, had taken off form Morristown Airport in New Jersey.  The FAA and the NTSB are investigating to determine a cause of that crash.

Lewiston Victims’ Families Want Broader Investigation into Killings

(AP/Lewiston)  A day after Army officials released a pair of reports about Lewiston shooter Robert Card and October’s mass shooting, families of the victims called for a broader federal investigation into the circumstance surrounding the massacre.  Attorneys for the families said the “narrow scope” of the Army reviews and conflicting conclusions of the report were “troubling” for the victims’ families.  They say a broader investigation is needed in order to identify “system failures” that caused numerous warning signs about Card to be overlooked.  The Associated Press reports army officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(AP/Lewiston)  Not good enough.  That was the sentiment of family members of the Lewiston shooting victims, a day after Army officials released their reports about Robert Card and October’s tragedy.  Attorneys for the victims’ families say they want a broader federal investigation into the circumstance surrounding the massacre, adding the “narrow scope” of the Army reviews and conflicting conclusions of the report were “troubling”.  They say a broader investigation is needed in order to identify “system failures” that caused numerous warning signs about the shooter to be overlooked.  The Associated Press reports army officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Governor’s Opioid Response Summit

(Augusta)  Preliminary data shows Maine is on track to experience a 15 percent decrease in fatal overdose deaths through the first seven months of 2024.  That data released yesterday at the sixth annual Governor’s Opioid Response Summit.  The Governor’s remarks included the welcome news that last year Maine experienced one of the largest percentage decreases in fatal overdoses in the nation, although Mills cautioned those in attendance not to become complacent.  The annual summit brings together healthcare providers, policy experts, law enforcement, government leaders and those affected by the opioid epidemic.

(Augusta)  Healthcare providers, policy experts, law enforcement, government leaders and those affected by the opioid epidemic came together in Auburn yesterday for the sixth annual Governor’s Opioid Response Summit.  Governor Janet Mills told those in attendance preliminary data shows Maine is on track to experience a 15 percent decrease in fatal overdose deaths through the first seven months of 2024.  The Governor’s remarks included the welcome news that last year Maine experienced one of the largest percentage decreases in fatal overdoses in the nation, although she cautioned those in attendance not to become complacent in combatting the state’s opioid crisis.

Local Politics

Maine’s Democratic Women District Attorneys Endorse Harris

(Maine)  Maine’s four elected Democratic women District Attorneys say they “wholeheartedly” endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States.  The four women, representing eight of Maine’s sixteen counties, all say Harris’s book, Smart on Crime:  A Career Prosecutor’s Plan to Make Us Safer, influenced their careers.  Natasha Irving, Maeghan Maloney, Jaqueline Sartoris, and Kathryn Slattery say Harris’s determination to address root causes of criminal conduct as a prosecutor was unique at the time, as was her willingness to try new approaches and be open to change.

(Maine)  Vice President Kamala Harris picked up the endorsement yesterday of Maine’s four elected Democratic women District Attorneys.  Natasha Irving of Waldo, Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties, Maeghan Maloney of Kennebec and Somerset Counties, Cumberland County’s Jaqueline Sartoris, and York County’s Kathryn Slaters all say their careers were influenced by Harris’s book, Smart on Crime:  A Career Prosecutor’s Plan to Make Us Safer.  They add that during her years as prosecutor, Harris was determined to address root causes of criminal conduct; something unique at the time.  They also cited her willingness to try new approaches and be open to change.

Economy

Bar Harbor Parking Fees

(Bar Harbor)  From just over $2M last year to almost double that in 2024.  Net revenue from parking fees in Bar Harbor is not only way up this year, it’s motivating space turnover.  The Mount Desert Islander reports the boost is due to last summer’s hourly rate increases, the expansion of premium parking zones to the Casino lot at Cottage and Bridge Streets, and extended enforcement hours.  Paid parking in Bar Harbor is enforced from May 15th to October 30th.

(Bar Harbor)  Parking fees generated for the Town of Bar Harbor are already at $3.85M this year.  That’s almost double the $2M generated last year.  The Mount Desert Islander reports the boost is due to last summer’s hourly rate increases, the expansion of premium parking zones to the Casino lot at Cottage and Bridge Streets, and extended enforcement hours.  The increase in fees is also motivating space turnover.  Paid parking is enforced from May 15th to October 30th, during the height of tourist season.

New Workforce Development Program Aims to Add Workers to Renewable Energy Field

(Undated)  A new workforce development program hopes to put 300 workers onto high-skill, high-wage career paths in the renewable energy field.  MaineBiz reports the goal of the $2M Green Jobs for ME program is to develop engineers and managers in construction and skilled trades at no cost to participants.  The program, funded by a US Department of Labor grant, was awarded to Brunswick-based Coastal Counties Workforce, which will provide the services, including education, on-the-job training, apprenticeships and even associate and bachelor’s degrees.

(Undated)  There’s a growing need for workers in the renewable energy sector.  Combine that with an aging workforce, particularly in construction and engineering, and you have a vacuum …  and an opportunity for job training and growth.  MaineBiz reports a US Department of Labor grant awarded to Brunswick-based Coastal Counties Workforce, aims to put more than 300 workers on a path to high-skill, high-wage careers in the renewable energy field.  CCW is operated by Goodwill Northern New England and will provide services that include education, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and even associates and bachelor’s degrees at no charge for those wishing to become engineers and managers in construction and skilled trades.

MDOL to Hold Labor Law Guidance Sessions

(Augusta)  The Maine Department of Labor is working to develop a comprehensive guidance manual on the state’s labor laws.  The manual will be publicly accessible and will provide a free resource for employers to help them easily understand their legal obligations.  In drafting the document, MDOL is seeking input from businesses and others on what material will be helpful.  They’re holding a series of focus sessions in cooperation with the National Federation of Independent Businesses and hoping for participation by small business owners and others.  The first session is August 8th from 9 to 10:30 at MDOL headquarters in Augusta.  Future sessions are planned for Portland, Bangor, and elsewhere between now and January.

(Augusta)  State labor laws can be confusing and difficult to understand, so the Maine Department of Labor is partnering with the National Federation of Independent Businesses to develop a comprehensive guidance manual.  The manual will be a publicly accessible, free resource for employers to easily understand their legal obligations.  In drafting the document, MDOL would like input from businesses and others on what material will be helpful.  Between now and January, they’re holding focus group sessions, hoping for participation by small business owners and others.  The first session is August 8th from 9 to 10:30 at MDOL headquarters in Augusta.  Future sessions are planned for Portland, Bangor, and elsewhere.

Infrastructure

Jet Blue Adding Non-stops between Portland and Orlando

(Portland)  Headed to Disney?  JetBlue is adding nonstop flights between Portland and Orlando beginning this Fall.  The added flights will take off on October 28th, and provide service Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through winter.  You can start purchasing tickets this Sunday.

(Portland)  Already dreaming of a winter getaway?  Beginning October 28th, JetBlue will add nonstop flights between Portland and Orlando.  You’ll be able to travel Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through winter, and tickets begin going on sale this Sunday.

Governor Urged to Step in to Remedy Canceled Ferries Situation

(Augusta)  Residents of Maine’s unbridged islands are missing mainland appointments and activities.  Businesses say they aren’t receiving deliveries on time.  And understaffed ferries say they’ve held some interviews, but hiring offers have been declined – largely due to low wages.  MaineBiz reports Select Boards and others from the island communities of Frenchboro, Matinicus, North Haven, Swans Island, Islesboro, and Vinalhaven have sent a letter asking Governor Janet Mills to intervene.  The problem, they say, is not just wages but U.S. Coast Guard licensing requirements.  The letter asks for possible temporary license waivers for some positions and for the Governor to direct senior staff to find a solution to the pay issue.

(Augusta)  Residents of Maine’s unbridged islands are asking Governor Janet Mills for a life preserver.  Understaffed ferries are causing residents to miss appointments for travel and medical needs, and businesses say they aren’t getting deliveries on time.  The Maine State Ferry Service says it’s been battling staffing issues for at least two years, leading to ferry cancellations.  In addition, they say U.S. Coast Guard licensing requirements can be a barrier to finding qualified staff.  MaineBiz reports Select Boards on Swans Island, Isleboro, Vinalhaven, and three other islands this week sent a letter to the Governor asking her to intervene.  The letter asks for possible temporary license waivers for some positions and for the Governor to direct senior staff to find a solution to the pay issue.

Sports

The Red Sox back on the home field this evening to begin a weekend series against the Yankees at Fenway.