Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Lewiston Commission Releases Interim Report
(Lewiston) The Lewiston Commission has released an interim report on the October 25th mass shooting. Among key findings, the commission concluded the Sagadahoc Sheriff’s Office had probable cause to take shooter Robert Card into protective custody and to take away his firearms, based on the state’s Yellow Flag Law. While the Commission found Card solely responsible for his actions, they say more could have been done to prevent the tragedy. Sheriff Joel Merry defended the response of his deputies, saying they were limited in actions they could have taken.
(Lewiston) The Lewiston Commission on the October 25th mass shooting last week released a 30-page interim report on the incident. Among key findings, the Commission wrote more could have been done to prevent the tragedy, concluding the Sagadahoc Sheriff’s Office had probable cause to take shooter Robert Card into protective custody and to take away his firearms, based on the state’s Yellow Flag Law. Sheriff Joel Merry said his officers were limited in their authority and that law enforcement relied on family members and military officials to address Card’s mental health issues.
Washington County Jury Finds Two Guilty of 2021 Machias Murder
(Machias) A Washington County jury deliberated throughout the day Friday, ultimately finding two men guilty of the murder of a 17 yo in Machias in 2021. Five people are accused in the murder, which reportedly revolved around a drug deal. Two have already pleaded guilty and one is awaiting trial. In last week’s trial, the jury found Emanuel Ramos and Juan Ortiz guilty of murdering Brandin Guerroro of New York. Guerrero was reportedly in Machias to sell drugs when he was ambushed, robbed and shot at Court Street Cemetery in November 2021.
(Machias) A jury on Friday found two men guilty of the murder of a teen in Machias in November 2021. 17 yo Brandin Guerroro of New York was reportedly in Machias to sell drugs when he was ambushed, robbed and shot at Court Street Cemetery. The Washington County jury deliberated throughout the day on Friday, ultimately finding Emanuel Ramos and Juan Ortiz guilty of murdering Guerrero. Five people are accused in the incident in which Guerroro was reportedly shot in the back. Two have already pleaded guilty and one is awaiting trial.
Local Politics
King, Colleagues Demand US Postal Service Protect Jobs and Timely Mail Delivery
(Maine) Staffing issues at post offices in southern Maine, confusion over threatened consolidation between Hampden and Scarborough – Senator Angus King last week joined colleagues in calling on the US Postal Service to protect mail delivery jobs and service. The Senators sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, urging him to stop any changes to USPS service standards that would result in job losses and further degrade mail delivery performance, especially in rural areas like Maine. King said for rural communities in particular, the loss of local jobs and even slower mail service represents further setbacks to the revitalization of rural life.
(Maine) Americans, particularly in rural states, depend on reliable and expedient mail service to conduct business, pay bills, receive medication, get Social Security checks, and stay in touch with loved ones. A group of Senators, including Maine’s Angus King, last week signed a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, urging him to stop any changes to USPS service standards that would result in job losses and further degrade mail delivery performance. Recent talk of consolidation of the Hampden facility with Scarborough and staffing issues in Southern Maine have brought strong opposition to proposed cuts in the postal service.
Economy
Hancock Mill Complex for Sale
(Hancock) A 100 acre mill in Hancock is for sale. MaineBiz reports Searsmont-based Robbins Lumber has listed the Wyman Road complex for $2.5M. The property has 22 buildings, including warehouses, storage, an office building, and a fully leased apartment building. Robbins Lumber acquired the Hancock Mill just last year from Pleasant River Lumber Company. Jim Robbins, the company’s president, said a major machine failure prompted the sale, as it would have taken two years to get the replacement, which wasn’t sustainable for the company.
(Hancock) Robbins Lumber is one of the top three Eastern white pine board producers in New England, with facilities in Searsmont, East Baldwin, and Sanford. Just last year, the company purchased a mill in Hancock; but last week, Robbins listed the Hancock property for sale. MaineBiz reports a major machine failure prompted the sale, as it would have taken two years to get the replacement, which wasn’t sustainable for Robbins. The 100 acre complex, listed at $2.5M, has already reportedly generated a good deal of interest. The property has 22 buildings, including warehouses, storage, an office building, and a fully leased apartment building.
Target Limiting Number of Items in Self-Checkout
(Undated) If you’re planning a Target run today to pick up a few items, make sure you limit it to a few if you plan to go through self-checkout. TMX reports the store has implemented a new Express Self-Checkout nationwide that will limit self-scanning to ten items. Target said post-pandemic customers want ease and convenience and that at stores where the program was piloted, checkout was twice as fast. The company says it will add more staff to traditional checkout lanes for customers with larger hauls.
(Undated) Ease and convenience – Target store officials say those are top priorities for its post-pandemic customers. With that in mind, Target piloted a program limiting self checkout quantities to ten items or less. The company said the results were checkout times that were twice as fast. So, TMX reports, as of now, if you have a larger haul, you’ll need to go through a regular checkout line. Target says it will add more people to the human-staffed lanes to accommodate those purchasing more than ten items.
Education
Sumner to Release School Early on Eclipse Day
(Sullivan) Students at the Charles M. Sumner Learning Campus in Sullivan, as in many schools, are studying up and gearing up for the April 8th total solar eclipse. The administration says it plans to dismiss RSU 24 students at 12:30 that day. They say the half day is a precaution because many students would otherwise just be getting off buses during the eclipse and could be tempted to look directly at the sun. Although the eclipse won’t be total in Downeast Maine, it’s still dangerous to view the sun at any time during any eclipse.
(Sullivan) RSU 24 students and parents will want to mark their calendars for a half day on April 8th. School administrators will be dismissing students at 12:30 that day as a precaution for the solar eclipse. They say many students would otherwise just be getting off buses as the eclipse occurs and may be tempted to look directly at the sun. Although the eclipse won’t be total in Downeast Maine, it’s still dangerous to view the sun at any time during any eclipse.
Environment
Governor Takes Steps to Advance Sears Island Wind Project
(Augusta) Not everyone was pleased, particularly environmentalists, when Governor Janet Mills announced the selection of a portion of Sears Island as a hub for Maine’s floating offshore wind industry. In a move further angering opponents, the Portland Press Herald reports the Governor is now proposing legislation to allow construction in a coastal sand dune system. Sears Island was one of several locations considered for the project, including nearby Mack Point. Maine Coast Heritage Trust holds the conservation easement on ⅔ of the island. That portion is managed by Friends of Sears Island, which fiercely opposes the choice of the island as a base for the project.
(August) Environmentalists were already opposed to the choice of Sears Island as a hub for Maine’s floating offshore wind industry. Although the base that will serve as a hub for the project is not part of the ⅔ of the island held by Maine Coast Heritage Trust as a conservation easement, Friends of Sears Island insists nearby Mack Island would be a more environmentally friendly choice. In a move which has further angered opponents, the Portland Press Herald reports the Governor is now proposing legislation to allow construction in a coastal sand dune system. Mills’s move to roll back existing environmental laws is likely to fuel the ire of those who oppose the Sears Island location.
Infrastructure
DEP Invites Waste Grant Proposals
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is soliciting grant proposals from towns and regional groups for projects or initiatives designed to increase the diversion of solid waste from disposal. Last fall, the Department funded ten waste diversion projects around Maine with more than $128K in awards. Those grants supported efforts to increase food scrap recovery and composting activities in Central and Southern Maine, backyard composting, and more. Written questions on the RFP must be received by March 22nd, with proposals submitted electronically by the end of the day on April 5th. For more information, contact mark dot a dot king at maine dot gov.
(Augusta) A small Maine business was able to continue efforts to collect and refurbish outdated pc’s and laptops. Some backyard composting efforts were able to expand. And a Maine school district was able to promote educational awareness by immersing students and staff in a hands-on sustainable program. Those are a few of the projects benefiting from $128K in grants awarded last fall by Maine DEP to increase the diversion of solid waste from disposal. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is now soliciting proposals from towns and regional groups for another round of waste diversion projects. Written questions on the RFP must be received by March 22nd, with proposals submitted electronically by the end of the day on April 5th.
Versant Planned Power Outage on MDI
(MDI) If you live in Mount Desert, Pretty Marsh, Seal Cove, Somesville or Tremont, be prepared for possible disruptions in your electrical service on Wednesday. Versant Power will be working on maintenance of the system, beginning at 9 a.m. on March 20th in those areas. The project is expected to take about two hours.
(MDI) Versant Power has electrical maintenance planned this Wednesday on and around MDI. Numerous areas could experience temporary service disruptions on March 20th, including Mount Desert, Pretty Marsh, Seal Cove, Somesville and Tremont. Versant says the work is expected to begin at 9 a.m. and last about two hours.
Islesboro Sinkhole Work to Begin This Morning
(Islesboro) Repair on a huge sinkhole at the ferry entrance on Islesboro is scheduled to begin this morning, right after the 10 a.m. ferry leaves for the Mainland. The Pen Bay Pilot reports repairs must coincide with the tides and will take about 4 hours to complete, after which the cement must sit for 24 hours. Service will resume Tuesday morning, then crews will finish repairs once hot top is available. The sinkhole has been prohibiting access to traffic since March 8th.
(Islesboro) Some residents say the problem began as long ago as 2019. A sinkhole at the Islesboro ferry terminal became too significant to drive over as of March 8th. Repair of the sinkhole is scheduled to begin this morning after the 10 a.m. ferry leaves for the Mainland. The Pen Bay Pilot reports repairs must coincide with the tides and will take about 4 hours to complete, after which the cement must sit for 24 hours. Service will resume Tuesday morning, then crews will finish repairs once hot top is available.
Sports
Celtics beat the Wizards yesterday 130 – 104 – Celtics home tonight against the Detroit Pistons
Bruins host the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday
Red Sox take on the Twins this afternoon in Spring Training. Red Sox vs. Rays on Tuesday.