Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Oxford County Commissioners Ask Governor to Remove Sheriff
(Oxford) Turmoil in the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office. The Oxford County Commissioners on Wednesday asked Governor Janet Mills to remove Sheriff Christopher Wainwright. Wainwright is accused of transferring guns from an evidence locker to a gun dealer without properly documenting the action. Because it is an elected position, the Sheriff would have to be removed by the Governor. Wainwright said he admits to making mistakes but has done nothing to merit his removal. A spokesperson for Governor Mills said she will consult with the Attorney General and establish an impartial review process that gives equal opportunity for both parties to respond.
(Oxford) Oxford County Commissioners are accusing Sheriff Christopher Wainwright of acting on the wrong side of the law, and they want the Governor to remove him. In a ten page letter to the Governor on Wednesday, the commissioners detailed accusations of impropriety, including taking guns from an evidence locker to give or sell to a gun dealer without proper documentation or notice. Wainwright defends his position, admitting that while he has made mistakes, they were nothing that would merit his removal. Because it is an elected position, it would be up to the Governor to remove Wainwright. A spokesperson for Governor Mills said she will consult with the Attorney General and establish an impartial review process that gives equal opportunity for both parties to respond.
Economy
Ellsworth I Demand for Short Term Rentals
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth has been rated the second best place in the country to start a short-term rental business, behind only Columbus, Georgia. That’s up from number eight last year. The ranking comes in the latest report from AirDNA, a company that tracks vacation rental data, and is based on rental demand, revenue growth, investibility, and regulations governing such housing. A significant factor in the high rating is Ellsworth’s proximity to Acadia National Park. Yet, the average home price here is about half that in Bar Harbor The Bangor Daily News reports there are 709 active short-term rental listings in Ellsworth right now, almost all of which are entire homes.
(Ellsworth) Add another feather to Ellsworth’s economic hat. AirDNA, a company that tracks vacation rental data, ranks the city as the second best place in the country in which to start a short-term rental business. That’s up from eighth place last year. Rankings are based on rental demand, revenue growth, investibility, and regulations governing such housing. Ellsworth’s proximity to popular vacation destination Acadia National Park was a huge plus in its favor, especially with the average home price here just about half that of Bar Harbor. Ellsworth was second only to Columbus, Georgia. The Bangor Daily News reports because of a high occupancy rate and nightly average charge under $300, the average ellsworth short-term rental is expected to bring in revenue of about $73,000 per unit in 2024 – a nearly 20% increase over last year, according to AirDNA.
Vinyl in Vogue Looking for Vintage Items
(Ellsworth) Remember the days of thumbing through those old LP’s at the record store, trying to discover which cover you liked best, or guessing at which song would be the next to hit the charts? That’s the vibe Matt Manry hopes to bring back when he opens Vinyl in Vogue later this year in downtown Ellsworth. Matt says he’s currently looking for 60’s and 70’s audio gear, working or non-working, or used vinyl just sitting in storage. He’d like to check out what you have to donate or sell for the soon-to-be vintage music shop and museum. Matt says he hopes to open in April or early May. You can contact him on FB, just look for Matt Manry – m-a-n-r-y.
(Ellsworth) A touch of nostalgia will be coming to Ellsworth soon. Matt Manry plans to open a vintage vinyl and music shop and small early radio museum in the downtown area. Currently, Matt’s looking for 60’s and 70’s audio gear, working or non-working, or used vinyl just sitting in storage. He’d like to check out what you have to donate or sell. He says he’s happy to pick things up and will even help you pack and load stuff. Matt says he’s hoping to open Vinyl in Vogue in April or early May. Check out his FB page for contact information.
Food Truck Pop Up in Sullivan
(Sullivan) If you live in the Sullivan area and find your stomach rumbling today, you’re in luck. The Black Sheep Food Truck is having a Food Truck pop-up today and tomorrow between 11 and 3. The truck will be at the former Chester Pike’s restaurant on Route One, across from the Schoodic Animal Hospital. The guys plan to open the site as the Black Sheep Restaurant later this spring, a highly anticipated addition to the area. Their menu includes tenders, wings, burgers and hot dogs – including veggie versions – a salad and sides and lots of delicious sauces.
(Sullivan) If you’ve found yourself missing the delicious tenders, wings, burgers and hot dogs offered by the Black Sheep Food Truck, you’re in luck this week. Today and tomorrow, brothers Jordan and Lyle are holding a pop up food truck from 11-3 at the former Chester Pike’s in Sullivan. The Crosbys plan to turn the building into the Black Sheep Restaurant, to open later this year. But you can get your fix of sandwiches and sides, salads and sauces today and tomorrow in the meantime. They’ll be across from the Schoodic Animal Hospital on Route One.
Free Energy Audits for Cranberry Island Homeowners
(Great Cranberry Island) Homeowners on Great Cranberry Island are eligible for free energy audits and assistance making efficiency improvements, thanks to a $200K Buildings Upgrade Prize awarded to the College of the Atlantic. The money comes from the US Department of Energy. Students trained in energy work will meet with willing residents to suggest energy improvements and will then connect them with rebate programs and resources to make the improvements at an affordable cost. The students will live on the island over the summer, complete the assessments and then bring contractors out to the island to do work for which homeowners have opted. For more information, contact the COA Community Energy Center.
(Great Cranberry Island) Building UP – that’s the name of a program that will give homeowners on Great Cranberry Island a chance at energy upgrades at affordable prices. The program is thanks to a $200K Buildings Upgrade Prize awarded to the College of the Atlantic from the US Department of Energy. This summer, students trained in energy work will live on the island and will meet with willing residents to suggest energy improvements. They’ll then connect them with rebate programs and resources. Once the assessments are complete, the students will also bring contractors out to the island to do the work for which homeowners have opted. For more information, contact the COA Community Energy Center.
Education
Wilson Museum Offers Geology Exploration During February Break
(Castine) Engage your kids in the world of geology during February break! The Wilson Museum in Castine is offering Geology Week, 9-4 daily from February 19th to 23rd. Designed for kids from kindergarten to eighth grade, participants will learn through hands-on experiments, engaging demonstrations, and interactive sessions, exploring rocks, minerals, fossils, and even volcanoes. Parents can drop kids off between 9 and 10 for a day of enriching learning and fun. Come for a day or the whole week. Space is limited to eight children a day, so register soon! For cost and other information, visit the Wilson Museum on FB.
(Castine) Rocks, minerals, volcanoes, oh, my! The Wilson Museum in Castine is offering Geology Week, February 19th through the 23rd, during school break week. Designed for levels K through 8th grade, participants will learn through hands-on experiments, enriching demonstrations, and interactive sessions, exploring rocks, minerals, fossils, and even volcanoes. Parents can drop kids off between 9 and 10 for a day of engaging learning and fun. Come for a day or the whole week. Space is limited to eight children a day, so register soon! For information on cost and more, check out the Wilson Museum on FB.
Maine Seacoast Mission Scholarship Application Period Open
(Cherryfield) There’s money out there if you’re headed to school after you graduate this year. If you’re a high school senior, adult who has completed your HiSET or GED, and live in Washington or eastern Hancock County or on a Maine outer island served by Maine Seacoast Mission, you can now apply for scholarships for the 2024-25 school year. The Mission not only provides financial support, but guidance through each transition to college and throughout students’ academic career. Applications can be submitted through Friday, March 29th. For information on schools and to apply, visit seacoast mission dot org.
(Cherryfield) They’ve helped more than 3,500 students over the years, awarding almost $3 million. If you live in Washington or eastern Hancock County or on one of the outer islands served, Maine Seacoast Mission wants to help you extend your education with financial support and guidance. The application period for scholarships for the 2024-25 school year is now open, and you can submit applications through Friday, March 29th. The Mission not only provides financial support, but guidance through each transition to college and during students’ academic careers. For information on schools and to apply, visit seacoast mission dot org.
COA Reaches 24-Hour Challenge Goal
(Bar Harbor) They did it! Or rather, YOU did it …thanks to your generous gifts to America’s premier green college, College of the Atlantic reached their 24-Hour Challenge Goal on Tuesday. The goal was to raise $100,000 to unlock a matching gift. A secondary goal of participation by 500 donors was reached and exceeded, unlocking an additional $50,000. The quarter of a million dollars raised will help support student scholarships, field work, and ongoing campus upgrades.
(Bar Harbor) Tuesday was a great day on the campus of the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor. Officials at COA report they reached their participation goal of 500 donors and donation goal of $100,000 during this year’s 24-Hour Challenge. With matching gifts and promises, the college secured more than $250,000 to support student scholarships, field work, and ongoing upgrades to the campus in Bar Harbor.
Health
Court Dismisses EMS Vaccine Case
(Augusta) The Maine State Supreme Court this week heard a case disputing a mandate requiring COVID and flu vaccines for Maine EMS employees. WABI-TV reports Plaintiff Chris Calnan and others first fought the mandate in July but the case was dismissed. Original court texts say emergency medical service workers were excluded from DHHS’s mandate of vaccinations for healthcare workers, and the case questions the authority of Maine EMS to implement the vaccines on their own accord. Counsel Sam Hurley, who represents Maine Emergency Medical Services, says the directive is about keeping patients safe. The justices will issue an official written decision at a later date.
(Augusta) DHHS’s mandate of Covid and influenza vaccines excludes healthcare workers, including exclusions for EMS employees. But Maine EMS on its own accord implemented the requirement. This week, the state Supreme Court heard a case disputing that mandate. WABI-TV reports Plaintiff Chris Calnan and others first fought the mandate in July, but the case was dismissed. Calnan et al question MEMS’s authority to implement such a mandate. Counsel Sam Hurley, who represents Maine Emergency Medical Services, says the directive is about keeping patients safe. The justices will issue an official written decision at a later date.
Human Interest
Oldest Minerals Found in Maine
(North Maine Woods) Feeling old lately? Here’s something to make you feel young again. Researchers recently analyzed more than 250 zircon grains found in northern Maine and discovered they were the oldest “rock/mineral” ever found in the state. Two of them were 3.41 and 3.49 billion years old. UMaine Geology Professor Chunzeng Wang reports the sandstone sample from which the grains were extracted was from a formation on the west side of the Machias River in the North Maine Woods. By comparison, the oldest rock in the United States was 3.55 billion years old and found in Minnesota. And by comparison, you’re just a baby.
(North Maine Woods) Maine became a state in 1820, but the land on which it sits goes back much further – more than 3 billion years, it turns out. Researchers recently analyzed more than 250 zircon grains taken from a formation on the west side of the Machias River in the Northern Maine woods. UMaine Geology Professor Chunzeng Wang reports two of the tiny grains were dated at 3.41 and 3.49 billion years old, the oldest “rock/mineral” found in Maine. By comparison, the oldest rock in the United States was just a grain older at 3.55 billion and found in Minnesota.
Sports
Celtics beat the Atlanta Hawks last night 125-117. The Celtics on the home court tomorrow to shoot hoops with the Washington Wizards.
The Bruins home tonight against the Vancouver Canucks.
Looks like a night off for local high school basketball teams, but we do have some results from last night’s matchups. On the girls side, Woodland beats Calais, the Machias Bulldogs over Jonesport-Beals, Narraguagus defeating Sumner, and Hermon over John Bapst. And on the boys’ side, the Ellsworth Eagles get the win over MDI, and Bucksport coasts past George Stevens.