Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
April Snowmageddon
(Maine) Mother Nature threw us an April curveball yesterday – make that a snowball. Much of Maine saw more snow yesterday than in all of the winter so far combined. The heavy, wet white stuff weighed down trees, keeping linemen busy working to restore power. At 4 yesterday afternoon, nearly 14,000 were without power in Hancock and Washington Counties….with about 350,000 outages reported statewide. This morning, about 5K Versant customers remain without power in Hancock and Washington Counties. Versant and CMP say they expect multi-day restoration efforts.
(Maine) Snow-my-goodness! The flakes began falling in the early morning hours Thursday. As of late Thursday morning, Ellsworth was already reporting 9.6 inches, Blue Hill 10, just under 8 inches at the Bangor airport, and 8 inches in East Machias. A few people in the Ellsworth area reporting more than a foot late in the day. Schools, government offices, nonprofits and others announced closings as early as Wednesday morning in anticipation of the storm, helping keep motorists off the road and easing the way for plow drivers, who will likely be out there on some roads through the day again today.
(Maine) Almost two weeks to the day since Spring officially arrived here in the northern hemisphere, Old Man Winter declared he wasn’t quite through with us yet. Snow began early Thursday morning in Downeast Maine and is expected to continue through Saturday, dumping more than a foot in many places. The gusty winds and heavy, wet snow combined to bring down trees and powerlines – crews expect restoration to be a multi-day event. But the forecast for Monday’s solar eclipse is looking bright, with clear skies and temps in the 50s predicted. Fingers crossed.
(Maine) Gusty winds and heavy wet snow combined to make a sticky situation Thursday – and stick it did. The white stuff clung to trees and powerlines, causing limbs to bend and wires to break. At one point, hundreds of thousands across Maine were without power, including about 14,000 in Hancock and Washington Counties. The Bar Harbor Mount Desert Police Department posted a picture of the public pier on its side, saying the Mount Desert Harbor Master was aware of the issue. Schools, government offices, transportation services, and even businesses decided to close, keeping roads relatively clear and employees safe. Snow is expected to continue into early Saturday.
Police Arrest Woman in Bangor Shooting
(Bangor) Police have made an arrest in the Tuesday shooting death of 24 yo Daniel Ford-Coates. Ford-Coates was found at a residence on Highland Avenue early Tuesday morning, after police were called to respond to an altercation. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Bangor police investigated and issued an arrest warrant for 20 yo Olivia Babin of Bangor. She was taken to the Penobscot County Jail where she faces a charge of manslaughter.
(Bangor) A Bangor woman faces manslaughter charges in the shooting death of 24 yo Daniel Ford-Coates. Officers responded to reports of an altercation at a residence on Highland Avenue Tuesday morning and found Coates with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. An investigation led police to issue an arrest warrant for 20 yo Olivia Babin. She was taken into custody and transported to the Penobscot County Jail.
Safe Digging Month
(Hallowell) “Safe digging” today may mean digging out from the snowbanks without hurting ourselves. But April‘s National Safe Digging Month actually has a little different meaning behind the designation. As the ground thaws and projects are planned, the Maine Public Utilities Commission cautions Mainers to make the free call to 8-1-1 before beginning digging projects, such as gardening, building a fence, or installing a mailbox, in order to help prevent accidents. When using a mechanical device to dig, the call is required by law.
(Hallowell) Dial before you dig – the Maine Public Utilities Commission reminds Mainers that as the ground thaws and as you plan those gardens, put in a new mailbox, or build a fence, it’s a good idea to call 8-1-1. The call will put you in contact with locators who will help you dig safely by marking underground utility lines with spray paint, flags, or both. April is National Safe Dig Month – anyone planning to dig should also contact OK TO DIG dot com to notify underground facility owners who are not members of dig safe.
State Offices Delayed Opening Today
(Augusta) All State Offices will have a delayed opening of 11 a.m. this morning, due to hazardous road conditions. Officials ask commuters to avoid travel in the morning hours to allow Maine DOT to properly treat roads. Road conditions looking MUCH better this morning – kudos to the plow drivers and linemen and women out there working to restore power.
(Augusta) Maine State Offices not opening until 11 this morning, due to hazardous road conditions. Officials are asking commuters to avoid travel in the morning hours in order to allow Maine DOT to properly treat the roads. Road conditions MUCH better this morning – a big thank you to the plow drivers and the linemen and women out there working to get the lights and heat back on.
Local Politics
Bill to Separate Child and Family Services from DHHS Passes Senate
(Augusta) The Maine Senate this week gave initial approval to a bill that would allow a separate child and family services agency. The agency is currently under the Department of Health and Human Services. In recent years, the division tasked with the safety of the state’s children has faced blunt scrutiny for Maine having the highest rates of child maltreatment in the country. The bill advanced by a 22-8 vote and next goes to the House for consideration.
(Augusta) When it comes to child welfare in Maine, the state has the highest rate of child maltreatment in the nation. The Department of Health and Human Services has faced stiff criticism for the deaths of far too many children, allegedly at the hands of parents. This week, the Maine Senate gave initial approval to a bill that would allow the child and family services agency, currently under the DHHS umbrella, to act as a separate agency. The bill advanced with a 22-8 vote and next goes to the House for consideration.
Education
Eclipse Notes
(Orono) We’re so fortunate to have Shawn Laatsch, the Director of the Versant Power Planetarium right here in our area. We asked Shawn for some last tips and info before Monday’s big event. (((EclipseSafety “…see the corona, which is really spectacular.” :29))). Laatsch and his team are internationally recognized – they’ll be up in Jackman Monday documenting the April 8th eclipse.
(Orono) It’s almost here – weather experts say fingers crossed for clear skies for the big event on Monday. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Planetarium has details on timing and safety. (((Eclipse Safety “…see the corona, which is really spectacular.” :29))). The planetarium will be closed Monday and Tuesday, as the team will be in Jackman to document the event.
Infrastructure
Old Ellsworth Jail Finally Getting a Facelift
(Ellsworth) The old jail in Ellsworth has sat mostly unused for nearly half a century, its brick facade at times a safety concern with crumbling bricks and masonry. Now, the historic building is on track for a facelift. The Bangor Daily News reports last month, Congress approved a bill with $500K earmarked for repairing the jail’s exterior. Coupled with $325K in funds raised by the Ellsworth Historical Society, plans are underway for renovation. The next phase of rehab will include removing lead paint from the old jail cells. Once the interior is deemed safe, the group hopes to open the structure to visitors as part of the area’s cultural heritage.
(Ellsworth) Go directly to jail – and get those repairs done. The Ellsworth Historical Society has worked long and hard to secure funds to restore the former jail facility, which has sat unused for most of the last 45 years. but that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Bangor Daily News reports last month, Congress approved a bill with $500K earmarked for repairing the jail’s exterior. Coupled with $325K in funds raised by the Ellsworth Historical Society, plans are underway for that renovation. The next phase of rehab will include removing lead paint from the old jail cells. Once the interior is deemed safe, the group hopes to open the structure to visitors as part of the area’s cultural heritage.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Carpenter Turns Tragedy into Good Works
(Dedham) After the old bath house at Camp CaPella was torn down, the camp received a call from a local carpenter. The young man said he’d had a terrible accident in which he had hit a Down Syndrome teenager while riding on his bicycle and that the teen had passed away. The accident was labeled distracted driving, though not related to cell phone use. Filled with grief, the young man said he had been ordered by the courts to do community service, preferably related to the disabled. Still very much distraught, he visited Camp CaPella and rebuilt the bathroom stalls, adding doors from the beautiful pine woodwork of the old bathhouse. Other woodwork will also serve as signage to acknowledge regular corporate donors. You can see pictures of his beautiful work on the Camp CaPella FB page.
(Dedham) A heartbreaking … but heartwarming story out of Camp CaPella. A young man called the camp recently and relayed the story of how he had hit a teen with Down Syndrome who was riding his bike. The accident was deemed distracted driving, though not from cell phone use. It proved fatal to the cyclist. Filled with grief, the young man said he had been ordered by the courts to do community service, preferably related to the disabled. Still very much distraught, he visited Camp CaPella and rebuilt the bathroom stalls with doors out of the beautiful pine woodwork from the old bathhouse. Other woodwork will also serve as signage to acknowledge regular corporate donors. You can see pictures of the beautiful work by MD Carpentry on the Camp CaPella FB page.
Ellsworth Public Library Staging Eclipse Party
(Ellsworth) Don’t worry if you’re not able to make it up north for the total solar eclipse – there’s a lot going on right here in Ellsworth. The Ellsworth Public Library is hosting a solar eclipse party on the library lawn Monday, from 2 to 4:30. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the event with your kids and other community members. They’ll have food and solar eclipse themed crafts and games. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket. The library will have a limited number of special eclipse glasses available for those who haven’t had time to get theirs.
(Ellsworth) Can’t make it up north for the total solar eclipse? Why not “book” this opportunity to join other community members at The Ellsworth Public Library on Monday! The library is hosting a solar eclipse party on the lawn from 2 to 4:30. Bring the kids for food and special eclipse themed crafts and games. Pack a lawn chair or a blanket. The library will even have a limited number of special eclipse glasses available for those who haven’t had time to get theirs.
Sports
Red Sox in LA tonight to run the bases with the Angels.
Celtics home tonight against the Sacramento Kings.
The Bruins beat the Hurricanes 4-1 last night in Raleigh. Bruins host the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
And March Madness is down to the Final Four on Saturday. It’ll be #1 UConn taking on #4 Alabama, and #1 Purdue shooting hoops with #11 North Carolina State.