Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Former Hancock Grammar School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Assault Charges
(Hancock) A former music teacher at Hancock Grammar School pleaded guilty this week to assault and disorderly conduct, as part of a plea deal in which a charge of unlawful sexual touching was dropped. The Ellsworth American reports the case stemmed from an incident on a trip to an amusement park in 2022, during which the teacher, 37 yo Seth Briggs of Glenburn, allegedly rubbed a student’s legs. That’s according to testimony obtained by the newspaper. The 16 yo victim, who was 14 at the time of the alleged assault, was a student of Briggs. According to testimony, the parties agreed to deferred disposition, allowing for the state to dismiss the assault charge if Briggs follows the conditions of his release for a year. The disorderly conduct charge will reportedly remain on his record.
(Hancock) A former music teacher at Hancock Grammar School pleaded guilty this week to assault and disorderly conduct. The plea was in connection with an incident involving a then-14 yo girl who was one of his music students. The Ellsworth American reports 37 yo Seth Briggs of Glenburn and the student were on a trip to an amusement park in 2022 when Briggs allegedly rubbed her legs, according to testimony obtained by the paper. The disorderly conduct charge comes with a $200 fine. The parties agreed to deferred disposition, allowing for the state to dismiss the assault charge if Briggs follows the conditions of his release for a year. The disorderly conduct will reportedly remain on his record.
Long Creek Escapees Recaptured
(Augusta) Both youths who escaped the Long Creek Youth Development Center last Friday are back in custody today. Authorities report the first suspect was arrested about 5:15 yesterday morning by officers in Georgetown, Massachusetts after reportedly crashing a stolen vehicle. The second youth was arrested by the Biddeford Police Department about 11:45 yesterday morning. He was found when officers responded to a report of a hit and run with a stolen vehicle. That fugitive was arrested while attempting to flee from the vehicle on foot. Both escapees are now in police custody.
(Augusta) Both of the youth who escaped from the Long Creek Youth Development Center back in custody this morning. Authorities say the first escapee was located in Georgetown, Massachusetts about 5:15 yesterday morning and was arrested after reportedly crashing a stolen vehicle. A few hours later, about 11:45, the second fugitive was found in Biddeford when officers responded to a report of a hit and run with a stolen vehicle. The second escapee was arrested while attempting to flee the crash on foot. Both youths are now in police custody.
Searsmont Fatal Crash
(Searsmont) The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday released details of a single vehicle crash in Searsmont on Saturday that left one person dead and three others injured. The crash happened shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Appleton Ridge Road. An initial investigation indicates a Nissan Versa went off the road and hit two large trees. 24 yo Dakota Deane of Appleton died at the scene. The other three occupants all sustained serious injuries and were taken for medical care. Authorities are not releasing their identities at this time. The crash remains under investigation.
(Searsmont) A single vehicle crash in Searsmont Saturday left one person dead and three others seriously injured. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday released details of the crash. They say it happened shortly after 1:30 Saturday afternoon, when a Nissan Versa veered off the road and hit two large trees. Killed in the crash was 24 yo Dakota Deane of Appleton. Three others who were in the car sustained serious injuries and were taken for medical care. Authorities are not releasing their identities at this time. The crash remains under investigation.
Local Politics
King Named 2024 Hero of Main Street
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King has been recognized as a 2024 “Hero of Main Street” by the National Retail Federation for his support of small businesses across Maine. The award was created in 2013 to honor a bipartisan group of lawmakers for their support of the retail industry, which in Maine supports more than 245,000 jobs and contributes more than $21B in economic activity. King commented, “Small businesses are the backbone of Maine’s economy – when Main Street succeeds, Maine succeeds.”
(Washington, DC) Small businesses have a champion in Senator Angus King, according to the National Retail Federation, which this week honored King as a 2024 “Hero of Main Street” for his support of small businesses across Maine. Maine’s retail sector supports more than 245,000 jobs and contributes more than $21B in economic activity. Award eligibility is based on key votes, bill sponsorship, and advocacy to advance the industry’s priorities, according to the NRF.
Five Initiatives on Maine November Ballot
(Augusta) Voters will make decisions on five ballot questions on the November 2024 General Election ballot – deciding on a state flag design, a bond issue for maintaining the state’s trails, an act to limit contributions to Political Action Committees and more. Under Maine law, ballot questions must be arranged in a specific order of six categories, beginning with carryover measures from a previous election, then people’s veto questions, etc. Under each of the six groupings, questions must be arranged in a random order, determined by a selection process conducted in public, and numbered sequentially. Questions may be viewed ahead of time through the Secretary of State’s Office.
Two Congressional Races to Use Ranked Choice Voting in November
(Augusta) Two of the three congressional races on Maine’s ballots this November will use ranked-choice voting. The Maine Morning Star reports the list includes the race for offices currently held by Congresspersons Chellie Pingree and Angus King. Both races have more than two candidates each, qualifying them for the ranked choice system. Ranked choice will also now likely be used in the Presidential election, since Robert Kennedy, Jr. has submitted enough signatures to the Secretary of State to run against presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump. Maine was the first state to adopt ranked choice voting in 2016, a practice that has since gained popularity and been adopted by more states and municipalities.
Farm Relief
(Augusta) Forty-two farms and small businesses in Maine will have access to grants and loans to help them lower their energy costs through clean energy investments and energy efficiency improvements. The Biden-Harris Administration has awarded $4.3M to the state through the Rural Energy for America Program. REAP enables grantees to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy, in order to help increase income, grow business, and address climate change, while lowering energy costs.
(Augusta) A new grant and loan program that “cropped up” Friday will help 42 farms and small businesses in Maine lower their energy costs through clean energy investments and energy efficiency improvements. Governor Janet Mills announced the Biden-Harris Administration awarded $4.3M to the state through the Rural Energy for America Program. REAP enables grantees to expand the use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy, in order to help increase income, grow business, and address climate change, while lowering energy costs.
Legislation to Protect Against DeepFakes
(Washington, DC) Legislation is pending that will help protect Americans from sexually explicit “deepfake” forgeries of their image or likeness. Senator Angus King this week welcomed news that his legislation known as the DEFIANCE Act, passed the Senate unanimously. The legislation would also permit victims to sue perpetrators for up to $150,000. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, and other technology, experts warn the volume of deepfake content available online is increasing exponentially. A 2019 study found 96% of deepfake videos were nonconsensual pornography. The legislation now goes to the House for consideration.
(Washington, DC) With the advent of Artificial Intelligence, or A I, and other technology, the volume of deepfake content available online is increasing exponentially. A 2019 study found 96% of deepfake videos were nonconsensual pornography. Legislation introduced by Senator Angus King will help protect Americans from sexually explicit “deepfake” forgeries of their image or likeness. King this week welcomed news that his legislation known as the DEFIANCE Act, passed the Senate unanimously. The legislation would also permit victims to sue perpetrators for up to $150,000. The legislation next goes to the House for consideration.
Economy
Ferry Rate Increase
(Undated) And, hope you’ve been saving your pennies – or rather paper bills if you use the Maine State Ferry Service. Fees go up about 18% beginning tomorrow. It’s the first increase in five years, and officials say they’ll likely need to raise them again NEXT summer. New fares and schedules will be posted at maine dot gov.
(Undated) Riders who use the Maine State Ferry Service will pay more beginning Thursday. Fees go up about 18% on August 1st – that’s tomorrow, of course. The Maine Department of Transportation says it’s the first increase since 2019, but that fees are likely to increase again next summer. New fares and schedules will be posted at maine dot gov.
Harrington Family Health Center Hires New CFO
(Harrington) Harrington Family Health Center has tapped Nicholas MacDonald to serve as the organization’s new Chief Financial Officer. HFHC provides some 12,000 visits a year to a broad cross-section of the community, including low-income patients, migrant farm workers, seasonal and year-round residents with medical, dental, podiatry, and behavioral healthcare. It also serves as a teaching site for WCCC, the University of Maine, Husson University and other schools. MacDonald previously worked at Machias Savings Bank where he gained extensive experience in financial planning, budgeting and reporting.
(Harrington) Folks in the area know Harrington Family Health Center for its work providing medical, dental, podiatry, and behavioral healthcare to a broad cross-section of the community, including for low income patients, migrant farm workers, and seasonal and year round residents. HFHC has tapped former Machias Savings Bank financial officer Nicholas MacDonald to serve as its new Chief Financial Officer. MacDonald also previously worked as an educator at the University of Maine Machias and WCCC and holds an MBA in Finance. CEO Demee Manchester said the company is thrilled to have MacDonald join the organization, citing his passion about the center’s mission of providing high quality care to the community.
NOAA Recommends Funding for Major Project in Columbia and Addison
(Columbia) NOAA is recommending funding for a $9M project planned in Columbia and Addison that will support flood mitigation, restore water quality, and improve drinking water and septic infrastructure on the West Branch of the Pleasant River. The project is under the direction of the Department of Marine Resources, with the Downeast Salmon Federation as a partner. Work will focus on improvements to the Addison Road in Columbia where it crosses Bells Brook, a structure the Maine Department of Transportation says is in critical condition.
Funding Awarded Clean Energy Workforce Training Programs
(Augusta) Six new and expanded training programs across Maine will support and prepare hundreds of workers for careers in the state’s rapidly growing clean energy sector. The Governor’s Energy Office on Tuesday announced $2M in grant awards for programs in Orono, Augusta, and four other towns and cities. The University of Maine Orono will use its share of the funds to establish new graduate and undergraduate certificate programs to train 200 students and working professionals with new courses and hands-on projects. The goal is to prepare students for careers working with efficient and sustainable buildings through a new online certificate program. Contact the University to learn more.
Sports
The Mariners beat the Red Sox last night 10-6. Red Sox vs. Mariners this afternoon at Fenway. (Game time 4:10) Red Sox have Thursday off before beginning a weekend series against the Rangers down in Texas.
That Perfect 10 first scored by American gymnastics star Mary Lou Retton in the 1984 Olympics is no more. Instead, a new scoring system is now in place – in short, a score of 13 point 0 or better is solid, anything in the 14s puts you in medal contention, a 15 or better pretty much assures you of gold.
Simone Biles and the US Gymnastics team yesterday reclaimed the gymnastics throne, winning gold with dominant performances by Biles, Sunisa Lee, and others.