Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Jury Selection Begins in Perry Murder Case
(Machias) Jury selection began Tuesday for two people accused of brutally killing a woman in Perry last year. The body of 43 yo Kimberley Neptune was found inside her Thunder Road apartment in April of 2022. Police charged Kailie Brackett and Donnell Dana, both of Perry, with the murder. WGME reports Brackett and Donnell had planned to steal money, jewelry, and Xanax, but a fight ensued and Neptune was stabbed nearly 500 times. The accused both pleaded not guilty to the murder.
(Machias) The trial of a pair accused in the brutal murder of a Perry woman in April 2022 will soon get underway. WGME reports jury selection began yesterday in the case of 43 yo Kimberley Neptune, whose body was found last year inside her Thunder Road apartment. Kailie Brackett and Donnell Dana are charged with her murder. Sources say Brackett claims she was seeing Neptune and showed up at her apartment with Donnell, planning to steal money, jewelry, and Xanax. When Neptune objected to Donnell being there, a fight ensued. Neptune was stabbed nearly 500 times. The accused have pleaded not guilty.
Waldo County Authorities Respond to Man with Severed Leg
(Troy) Medical personnel Tuesday morning responded to a call for help for a Troy resident with a fully severed leg. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, the man was found at 763 Bangor Road in Troy about 10:30 yesterday morning and was given emergency care then transferred to LifeFlight’s air crew where he was flown for additional treatment. No word on how the man’s leg was severed, but authorities say the incident is being classified as a “farming accident”.
(Troy) Authorities say a farming accident led to a Troy man’s leg being fully severed yesterday morning on Bangor Road in Troy. Lieutenant Cody Laite with the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, the man was given emergency care at the scene and was then transferred to LifeFlight’s air crew where he was flown for additional treatment. The victim’s name was not released, and authorities aren’t yet releasing details of how the incident happened.
Economy
Mainely Mercantile Looking to Move
(Bangor) Mainely Mercantile is an indoor venue for 40-plus Maine Makers and Small Business Entrepreneurs located at Judson Height Center Mall in Bangor. The owner posts on FB that the mall has a new owner that promises to update and make repairs. Owner Jolette Burke says that’s going to come at a cost that may not be in not in her best interest. No final decision has been made, but she says she may be open to a move anywhere in the Bangor/Brewer area. In the meantime, they remain open for the holidays and appreciate your support of small business.
(Bangor) Being a small business is no small feat – especially if you are an indoor venue for 40-plus Maine Makers and Small Business Entrepreneurs. Mainely Mercantile reports on their FB page, the Judson Height Center Mall in Bangor where they’re located has come under new ownership. The good news, says Jolette Burke – the new owners plan some much needed upgrades and repairs. The bad news, it comes at a cost she’s not sure is in her best interest. While she hasn’t yet made a final decision, Burke says she may be open to a move anywhere in the Bangor/Brewer area. Meanwhile, Mainely Mercantile remains open for the holidays and appreciates your business and any suggestions on a possible new location.
Health
Ping Pong Providing Relief for Those with Multiple Sclerosis
(Undated) There’s a new weapon in the battle against multiple sclerosis – ping pong. The Mercury News reports a table tennis based program known as NeuroPong is now being researched by scientists investigating the link between neurodegenerative conditions and the fast paced game. Experts believe the motor function, quick decision making, eye-hand coordination, and side-to-side movement could be a perfect storm for boosting cognitive function. Researchers at the University of Colorado began studying the effects of NeuroPong after hearing success stories of patients with MS who, after participating in NeuroPong, were able to walk more steadily, run, and even bike – activities they once thought were no longer possible.
(Undated) Motor function, quick decision making, eye-hand coordination, and side-to-side movement. Those skills work together in ping pong; and now, researchers say they may work to bring relief to patients with multiple sclerosis. The Mercury News reports Antonio Barbera, a gynecologist, lost his career to MS but found the effects of playing table tennis were a perfect storm for boosting cognitive function. Hence, NeuroPong was born. Researchers at the University of Colorado began studying the effects after hearing success stories of patients with MS who, after participating in NeuroPong, were able to walk more steadily, run, and even bike – activities they once thought were no longer possible.
Technology
Hackers Gain Access to Information of 23andMe Users
(KFF) Investigators say hackers used old passwords to access information of customers of the genetic testing company 23andMe. The New York Times reports nearly 7 million profiles, which in some cases included ancestry trees, health details, birth years and geographic information, were vulnerable. While the company said it had not heard of any “inappropriate use” of the stolen data, it’s requiring all users to change their logins and set up more secure two-factor protections.
(KFF) Information from nearly 7 million 23andMe profiles was accessed by hackers recently. The New York Times reports the hackers used old passwords to access the information. In response, the genetic testing company is requiring all users to change their logins and set up more secure two-factor protections. Stolen information may have included ancestry trees, health details, birth years, and – in some cases – geographic location. 23andMe reports so far they have not heard of any “inappropriate use” of the hacked data.
Infrastructure
Update on I-395/Route 9 Connector
(Bangor) The Maine Department of Transportation reports the contractor has placed almost 9,000 tons of pavement this year on the I-395/Route 9 Connector east of Bangor. That’s about 12 percent of the total paving from the project. Most of the remaining paving should be completed in 2024, with the road scheduled to open in 2025.
(Bangor) 9,000 tons – that’s the amount of pavement spread so far on the I-395/Route 9 Connector east of Bangor. The Maine Department of Transportation reports that’s about 12 percent of the total paving from the project, with most of the remaining paving expected to be completed in 2024. The road is scheduled to open the following year, in 2025.
Wesley Fund Plans Machias Fun Park
(East Machias) Wesley Keeton was just four years old when he died in a tragic accident at his home in 2013. To keep the memory of the precocious toddler alive, his family established The Wesley Foundation, which just wrapped up their annual tree festival in Machias. Now, they’re drafting some big plans for their new property at the Fairgrounds across from the hospital. The overall plan, which is in its very early stages, includes a soccer field, a walking and running track, basketball court, and a Little League Baseball Diamond. To get a sneak peek at the plans and find out how you can contribute, follow the Wesley Foundation on FB.
(East Machias) Sylvan Park in Machias may one day be alive with the sound of Little Leaguers playing baseball, the bounce of basketballs on the court, the rhythm of feet beating out their pace on a running track, and the competitive voices of kids playing soccer. The plans are in the initial stage, but are the brainchild of the family of Wesley Keeton, a precocious four year old who died in a tragic accident in 2013. In order to keep Wesley’s memory alive, his family established the Wesley Foundation to provide such opportunities for area residents. Find out more and learn how to contribute by following the Wesley Foundation on their FB page.
Human Interest
MaineCF’s Maine Women’s Fund Awards $120K to Advance Gender Equity
(Ellsworth) Twenty-four organizations that work to advance gender equity in Maine were awarded $5,000 each in 2023 from the Maine Community Foundation’s Women’s Fund. Recipients include Mano e Mano in Milbridge, The League of Women Voters Education Fund, New Ventures Maine, and Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness. In the past 33 years, MWF has invested over $3M in organizations working to transform the lives of women and girls in Maine. MaineCF is seeking nominations for persons to serve on an advisory committee to help with the growth and distribution of the fund. An online form is available at maine c f dot org.
(Ellsworth) The Maine Community Foundation is seeking nominations for an 8-12 member advisory committee to help with the Maine Women’s Fund. The committee will be composed of women and nonbinary people, a majority of whom are from and have knowledge of marginalized groups. In 2023, 24 organizations across the state received a total of $120K from the fund to advance gender equity in Maine. Interested persons should complete the online form at maine c f dot org, forward slash m w f no later than Monday, December 18th.
Santa and Reindeer Visit Woodlawn
(Ellsworth) Christmas in Ellsworth is a magical time, especially for kids! You can drop off your letters to Santa at the Ellsworth Public Library or at City Hall – be sure to include your return address so he can write back! Have your parents get tickets for the whole family to see Elf at the Grand – beginning this weekend! And by the way, there are ten bad little Buddies causing chaos across Elves-worth. Find one and return it to the Grand for an award – one per family, please. And on Sunday, Santa and his reindeer – yep, real reindeer! – will be at Woodlawn in Ellsworth between 10 a.m. and Noon. Ho-ho-hope you’ll take it all in!
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth has decked the halls with all kinds of fun activities for kids this holiday! Be sure to get those letters to Santa written – include your return address so he can write you back, then drop them at the special mailboxes at the Ellsworth Public Library or at City Hall. Make sure your parents get tickets for the whole family to see “Elf” at the Grand, beginning this weekend. Speaking of the Grand, they tell us there are ten bad little Buddies causing chaos across Elves-worth. Find one and return it to the Grand for an award – one per family please. Finally, Santa will be flying in with one of his real reindeer, landing at Woodlawn this Sunday between 10 and Noon. He’s a busy guy, so get there early! You might even want to bring him a cookie or two …
WAA at New Ellsworth Location This Year
(Ellsworth) The country’s longest veterans’ parade – Wreaths Across America’s annual Escort to Arlington – begins Sunday, December 10th! The escort will travel down the East Coast, stopping at schools, memorials and other locations to honor those who have served. The stop in Ellsworth is at a new location this year, the Mill Mall, with the convoy planning to arrive at 9 a.m. This year’s ceremony will be held indoors at the DownEast Family YMCA gymnasium; and, of course, everyone is welcome.
(Ellsworth) This Sunday, the Wreaths Across America convoy will make its annual stop in Ellsworth on the way down the East Coast to Arlington Cemetery. They’ll arrive at the Mill Mall – a new location this year – about 9 a.m on the 10th, with a ceremony inside the gymnasium at the DownEast Family YMCA beginning at 9:35. Everyone is welcome to attend and hear the special speakers, honor the veterans in attendance, and remember, honor, and teach.
Sports
The Bruins host the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night. The Patriots take the field in Pittsburgh on Thursday for a game against the Steelers.