Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Waterville Shooting Update
(Waterville) Authorities have released the identity of the victim of Monday morning’s shooting in Waterville. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, 22 yo Justin Iraola of Winslow died of multiple gunshot wounds. Waterville Police responded to a residence at 18 South Grove Street shortly after 8 a.m. Monday on a reported shooting and found Iraola’s body. An autopsy was performed Tuesday. No other information was released, but officials say there is no danger to the public.
(Waterville) Authorities say the person who died Monday morning in a shooting incident in Waterville was 22 yo Justin Iraola of Winslow. Waterville police were called to 18 South Grove Street around 8 a.m. and found Iraola’s body. An autopsy was performed Tuesday. The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office says Iraola died of multiple gunshot wounds. No other information was released, but officers say there is no danger to the public.
Carmel Teen Faces Charges After Allegedly Shooting Father
(Carmel) A Carmel boy is facing charges in Juvenile Court after allegedly shooting his father. WABI-TV reports District Attorney Chris Almy said the 14-year-old was being charged with domestic violence elevated aggravated assault and aggravated assault. Authorities say the teenager shot his father in the torso at their home on Main Road in Carmel back on February 5th. The father was taken to the hospital where he was reported to be in stable condition the day after the shooting.
(Carmel) A Carmel teen will face charges in Juvenile Court for allegedly shooting his father earlier this month. District Attorney Chris Almy told WABI-TV the 14 yo boy is being charged with domestic violence elevated aggravated assault and aggravated assault. The teen reportedly shot his father in the torso at their Main Road home in Carmel on February 5th. The father was taken to a hospital where he was reported to be in stable condition following the shooting.
Economy
Forty Businesses Receive Grants to Market Maine Products Throughout the US
(Augusta) Forty Maine businesses will undertake projects to market their products to new customers throughout Maine and the United States. The projects are made possible through grants totalling more than $3M from Governor Janet Mills’s Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan. Recipients include Jasper Wyman and Sons in Milbridge, Deer Isle’s Narrative Food, Passamaquoddy Wild Blueberry Company of Columbia Falls, Bar Harbor Foods in Machias, and Belfast’s Deep Blue Aquaculture. A second round of Domestic Trade Program grant funding is now open for applications. Eligible Maine-based businesses can apply through April 12th at maine dot gov forward slash d e c d forward slash domestic dash trade.
(Augusta) Businesses in Hancock, Washington, and Waldo Counties are among 40 statewide selected to undertake projects to market their products to new customers throughout Maine and the U.S. The projects are made possible through a total of $3.13M in Domestic Trade Program grants as part of Governor Mills’s Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan. First round businesses selected include Deer Isle’s Narrative Food, Passamaquoddy Wild Blueberry Company of Columbia Falls, Bar Harbor Foods in Machias, Jasper Wyman and Sons in Milbridge, and Belfast’s Deep Blue Aquaculture. A second round of Domestic Trade Program grant funding is now open for applications. Eligible Maine-based businesses can apply through April 12th at maine dot gov forward slash d e c d forward slash domestic dash trade.
Pilot Housing Program
(Maine) Older Mainers are finding it more difficult to afford being able to stay in their larger homes. Younger people are struggling to find housing they can afford on starter salaries. Maine thinks that could be the recipe for a match made in heaven. The Bangor Daily News reports MaineHousing, the state’s housing authority, recently signed a nearly $200K contract with Nesterly, a platform that allows homeowners to list extra rooms online. Similar to a dating service, homeowners are “matched” with renters, often students looking for affordable space for 30 days or more. Maine will be the first entire state with which Nesterly has contracted. The company says a pilot program begun in Boston is now also operating in Louisville, KY, and Columbus, OH.
(Maine) A new program is coming to Maine, designed to help folks find their perfect match. It’s not a dating service, but designed to match people who have extra rooms in their homes with people looking for affordable housing. The Bangor Daily News reports Nesterly was piloted in Boston and is somewhat geared toward matching older homeowners who may be struggling to stay in their larger homes, with students and other young people looking for affordable space for 30 days or more. MaineHousing, the state’s housing authority, recently signed a nearly $200K contract with Nesterly. The program has expanded to Louisville, Kentucky and Columbus, Ohio, but Maine will be the first entire state with which the program has contracted.
MDMR Opens Application Period for Coastal Planning Grants
(Augusta) Another funding opportunity in response to the significant impacts of recent storms experienced by Maine’s coastal communities. The Department of Marine Resources Maine Coastal Program is seeking applications for coastal planning grants totaling approximately $300K. Because of the extensive storm damage, the FY 2025 Coastal Community Grant and Shore and Harbor Planning Grant Programs are being combined into one, and the matching requirement has been eliminated. Those interested should submit a letter of intent no later than 5 pm on March 29th via email to Ashley dot Gamache at maine dot gov, followed by a final application by invitation only. Maximum grant award is $50K.
(Augusta) More funding could be available to coastal communities in response to the significant impacts of recent storms. The Department of Marine Resources Maine Coastal Program is seeking applications for coastal planning grants totaling approximately $300K. Because of the extensive storm damage, the FY 2025 Coastal Community Grant and Shore and Harbor Planning Grant Programs are being combined into one, and the matching requirement has been eliminated. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, unorganized territories, tribal governments and Regional Councils in Maine’s Coastal Zone. Interested parties must submit a letter of intent no later than 5 pm on March 29th via email to Ashley dot Gamache at maine dot gov, followed by a final application by invitation only. Maximum grant award is $50K.
Homeowners Can Apply for Maine Seacoast Mission 2024 Housing Repair Program
(Cherryfield) Low to moderate income homeowners in Washington and Eastern Hancock Counties may now apply for Maine Seacoast Mission’s Housing Improvement Program. The program brings hundreds of volunteers to Cherryfield each year to make improvements to homes in the Mission’s service area. Applications are also open for groups wishing to volunteer this summer. In addition to repairs, the Mission partners with Downeast Community Partners, who identify homes DCP can weatherize once Mission volunteers make improvements, lowering heating costs over time. Apply online at seacoast mission dot org forward slash housing improvement.
(Cherryfield) If you self-identify as a low to moderate income homeowner in Washington or Eastern Hancock County, you can now apply for Maine Seacoast Mission’s Housing Improvement Program. Each summer, hundreds of volunteers come to Cherryfield to help make improvements to homes in the Mission’s service area. In addition to repairs, the Mission partners with Downeast Community Partners, who identify homes DCP can weatherize once Mission volunteers make improvements, lowering heating costs over time. Apply online at seacoast mission dot org forward slash housing improvement.
Education
Bucksport Principal to Serve as RSU 25 Superintendent
(Bucksport) The new RSU 25 Superintendent is a familiar face in the Bucksport District. Josh Tripp started with the District in 2002 as a high school math teacher, became Principal of the Middle School in 2014, and has served as Principal of Bucksport High School since 2018. Tripp will replace long-time Superintendent Jim Boothby who will officially retire on June 30th. Tripp will take the reins on July 1st.
(Bucksport) When Josh Tripp takes over as the RSU 25 Superintendent on July 1st, he’ll need no introductions to students and staff. Tripp was first hired by the District in 2002 as a math teacher at the high school, became Principal of the Middle School in 2014, and has served as Principal of Bucksport High School since 2018. Tripp will replace long-time Superintendent Jim Boothby, who will officially retire on June 30th. Tripp will take the reins on July 1st.
Amy Wheaton Selected as 2023 Maine State PE Teacher of the Year
(Sullivan) Congratulations to Sumner Phys Ed Teacher Amy Wheaton! She was named the Maine State PE Teacher of the Year for 2023. Wheaton received a plaque last week at a special school assembly. She’ll be a special presenter this year at the state conference. Wheaton is a year 2000 graduate of Sumner High School.
(Sullivan) “Dedicated to everything she does” … “…her hard work and dedication are inspiring” “…one of the best”. Those are just a few of the comments posted about Sumner Phys Ed Teacher Amy Wheaton, who has been named the Maine State PE Teacher of the Year for 2023. Wheaton, a year 2000 graduate of Sumner, received a plaque last week at a special school assembly and will be sharing as a special presenter this year at the state conference.
Environment
Governor Janet Mills Announces Sears Island as Site for Floating Offshore Wind
(Sears Island) A section of state-owned Sears Island has been selected for a port facility to support the floating offshore wind industry. The decision has the support of, among others, Searsport Town Manager James Gilway, who also serves as co-chair of the Offshore Wind Port Advisory Group. Gilway noted Searsport has a long and rich history of building vessels and sailing from Penobscot Bay to ports around the world and sees construction of the floating wind port as a modern day continuation of the vessel-building tradition. In 2009, Sears Island was divided into two parcels, two thirds of which remains in a permanent conservation easement held by Maine Coast Heritage Trust, while the remaining one-third was reserved by Maine DOT for future development.
(Sears Island) Sears Island has been chosen as home to a port hub to support a floating offshore wind facility. The Maine Department of Transportation and Maine Port Authority reportedly undertook an extensive analysis to determine the best place to locate the port facility. The state-owned Sears Island parcel was determined to be the most feasible in terms of location, logistics, cost and environmental impact. In 2009, Sears Island was divided into two parcels, two thirds of which remains in a permanent conservation easement held by Maine Coast Heritage Trust, while the remaining one-third was reserved by Maine DOT for future development. The choice of Sears Island has the support of, among others, Governor Janet Mills, Searsport Town Manager James Gilway, Beth Ahearn, Director of Government Affairs of Maine Conservation Voters, and Conservation Biologist Sarah Haggerty.
Protest Planned Against Offshore Wind Facility on Sears Island
(Searsport) Even before it was officially announced yesterday, a protest was planned. Some locals say the choice of Sears Island breaks a promise to Maine residents to give preference to Mack Point. The Alliance for Sears Island and others are planning a demonstration on the Belfast Bridge this afternoon between 3 and 6. They say if you plan to participate, there are good public sidewalks between the Route One Bridge and High Street for safe access. Protestors say they want MDOT and Governor Janet Mills to know Maine can have offshore wind AND a wild and free Sears Island.
(Searsport) Area residents say the state’s plan to build an offshore wind manufacturing facility on Sears Island is blowing in the wrong direction. Opponents of the project say the plan breaks a promise to Maine residents to give preference to Mack Point. The Alliance for Sears Island and others are planning a demonstration on the Belfast Bridge this afternoon between 3 and 6. They say if you plan to participate, there are good public sidewalks between the Route One Bridge and High Street for safe access. Protestors say they want MDOT and Governor Janet Mills to know Maine can have offshore wind AND a wild and free Sears Island.
Sports
The Bruins in Edmonton tonight to hit the ice against the Oilers.
Congratulations to Ellsworth High School Junior Ella Montgomery – she’s the 2024 Class B State Champion in the 100 yard backstroke.
High school basketball tournament action – yesterday, the #4 seeded Machias Bulldogs upset by #5 Hodgdon in the Boys’ Class C North quarterfinals. The Lady Bulldogs also defeated by Mattanawcook Academy. Today, it’s the Class B North semifinals, with the MDI boys facing Old Town at 10 this morning, and the #1 Ellsworth boys up against #4 Orono at 11:30. On the girls’ side, the MDI Lady Trojans shoot hoops with Old Town at 2 this afternoon, the #1seeded Ellsworth Lady Eagles hit the court against the #4 Caribou Vikings – that game set for 3:30. Star 97.7 will keep you updated on results throughout the day and evening.