Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Maine Juniors Coach Arrested
(Ellsworth) Maine State Police have reportedly arrested a coach who worked with Maine Juniors, a statewide volleyball program with teams that practice weekends at Ellsworth Elementary Middle School. Maine Juniors sent a notice to parents Saturday citing an April 8th Lewiston Sun Journal article that reports 33 yo Kyle Chapman of Oxford was charged with possession of sexually explicit material. In the email, Maine Juniors stated Chapman is no longer with the program and asked anyone with knowledge of any misconduct to come forward. An investigation is ongoing, so no further details were authorized for release.
(Ellsworth) An Oxford man with ties to Maine Juniors, a statewide volleyball program with teams that practice weekends at Ellsworth Elementary Middle School, has reportedly been arrested and charged with possession of sexually explicit material. Maine Juniors sent a notice to parents Saturday saying 33 yo Kyle Chapman is no longer with the program. The notice cited an April 8th article in the Lewiston Sun Journal that said Chapman was arrested April 1st. They asked anyone with knowledge of misconduct to come forward and said no further details were available as an investigation into the charges continues.
National Telecommunicators Week
(Undated) This week is National Telecommunicators Week. Those are the folks who calmly and efficiently answer 9-1-1 calls at the RCCs and connect folks with EMS, fire, police, and/or other first responders, while keeping us calm and informed on the line, more often than not saving lives. We can’t say enough thanks to the men and women who are the ultimate professionals and heroes – well done, and a heartfelt thanks from those of us who are in awe of all you do.
(Undated) The heroes at our RCC’s never know when they answer a call whether it will be a person whose house is on fire, a child or adult in a medical crisis, or a domestic violence incident. Yet, they’re always calm, prepared and professional. They are the ultimate lifesavers when it comes to knowing – quickly – which services to connect us with, while keeping folks calm on the line, and often issuing CPR and other instructions. This is National Telecommunicators Week, and we can’t think of a group that’s more deserving of our thanks for all they do and how calmly and professionally they answer those calls.
Plane Goes Off Runway at BIA, Gets Stuck in Mud
(Bangor) Here’s proof mud season must be taken seriously here in Maine. The Bangor Daily News reports an American Airlines regional jet flying from Philly landed at Bangor International Airport around 11:30 Saturday night and was taxiing to let passengers disembark, when it went off the pavement and became stuck in the mud. Passengers were safely evacuated and taken to the terminal, and a new plane was brought in for a flight out on Sunday morning.
(Bangor) When we say it’s mud season here in Maine, it’s not to be taken lightly – or should we say, “flightly”? An American Airlines regional jet flying into Bangor International Airport from Philly Saturday night went off the pavement while taxiing to let passengers off and became stuck in the mud. The Bangor Daily News reports all passengers and their luggage were evacuated safely and taken to the terminal. American brought in a new plane for a Sunday morning flight out. .
Local Politics
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey Files Lawsuit Against Monsanto
(Augusta) Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has filed a lawsuit against biochemical giant Monsanto. The suit alleges the company knew of the harm caused by chemicals known as PCB’s, but continued to sell products containing the toxins. The state will be seeking damages for injuries and contamination, including costs to clean up, monitor, and mitigate the 400 miles of Maine’s rivers and streams and 1.8 million acres of ocean currently identified as impaired by PCBs.
(Augusta) A lawsuit filed last week by Maine’s Attorney General alleges biochemical giant Monsanto knew of the harm caused by chemicals known as PCB’s, yet continued to sell products containing the toxins. The state is asking for damages for injuries and contamination, including costs to clean up, monitor, and mitigate the 400 miles of Maine’s rivers and streams and 1.8 million acres of ocean currently identified as impaired by PCBs.
Maine Senate Approves Bump Stock Ban
(Augusta) The Maine Senate on Friday approved proposals to ban bump stocks and require 72-hour waiting periods for gun purchases. The Bangor Daily News reports the legislation comes in response to the October 25th Lewiston mass shooting that left 18 dead and multiple others wounded. The Senate defeated a measure that would have allowed citizens to sue gunmakers over injuries tied to the illegal sale of firearms. The bills face additional votes in the House and Senate before moving on to the desk of Governor Janet Mills to be signed into law.
(Augusta) Gun legislation has been high on the minds of Maine’s lawmakers and citizens since the Lewiston shooting. The Bangor Daily News reports on Friday, the Maine Senate approved proposals to ban bump stocks and require 72-hour waiting periods for gun purchases. The Senate defeated a measure that would have allowed citizens to sue gunmakers over injuries tied to the illegal sale of firearms. The bills face additional votes in the House and Senate before moving on to the desk of Governor Janet Mills to be signed into law.
Paramilitary Training Banned in Maine
(Augusta) Unauthorized paramilitary training is now banned in Maine. A bill proposed by Democrat Laurie Osher of Orono was signed into law Friday by Governor Janet Mills. The legislation was inspired in part by the plans of a neo-Nazi group last year to use land in rural Penobscot County to draw white supremacy groups from across the country to a compound and training site. Group founder Christopher Pohlihaus later sold the land and moved out of state.
(Augusta) Plans for a paramilitary training site in rural Penobscot County last year and a rally by White Supremacists at the Statehouse in August prompted legislation to outlaw unauthorized paramilitary sites in Maine. Self-proclaimed neo-Nazi Christopher Pohlihaus had purchased land in Springfield for a training facility that would have drawn such groups from across the country. Democrat Laurie Osher of Orono proposed the legislation outlawing such sites. The measure was signed into law on Friday by Governor Janet Mills.
Hampden Native Appointed Chief Medical Examiner
(Augusta) A Hampden native will serve as the state’s new Chief Medical Examiner. Governor Janet Mills has appointed retired US Air Force Colonel Alice Briones to serve in the position. Dr. Briones was the first woman to lead the US Armed Forces Medical Examiner System. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania in 2005.
(Augusta) The state of Maine has a new Chief Medical Examiner – and she hails from right here in Hampden. US Air Force Colonel Alice Briones retired from a distinguished career in the armed forces where she served as the first woman to lead the US Armed Forces Medical Examiner System. She graduated from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2005. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is a statewide system charged with investigating sudden, unexpected, and violent deaths.
Economy
DCP Receives Belvedere Fund Grant
(Ellsworth) Downeast Community Partners will be able to broaden their already broad reach with the awarding of a $15K grant from the Maine community Foundation’s Belvedere Fund. Development Director Sharon Catus tells Star 97.7, the money comes at a crucial time to augment the agency’s weatherization and heating programs. The grant will enable DCP to increase the number of Hancock and Washington County homes they can weatherize and will lend additional aid to those struggling to heat their homes.
(Ellsworth) Downeast Community Partners will be able to assist even more struggling Mainers weatherize their homes, helping them to conserve precious heat and energy costs, thanks to a $15K grant from the Maine Community Foundation’s Belvedere Fund. DCP Development Director Sharon Catus tells Star 97.7, the grant arrived at a crucial time for the agency to support the most vulnerable neighbors in Hancock and Washington Counties. Catus said weatherization is Mainers’ number one defense against rising heating costs.
Maine Working to Open Japanese Market to State’s Potato Industry
(Washington, DC) Would you like fries with those elvers? Asia has long been a hot market for Maine’s baby eel suppliers, known as elvers. Now, Senators Angus King and Susan Collins are working to open the Japanese Market to the hundred-billion-dollar potato industry. With the recent visit of Japan’s Prime Minister to the White House, Collins, King and others are urging President Biden to press Japan to remove what they say are unnecessary roadblocks for American potato exports that have resulted in a $150M loss to potato growers.
(Washington, DC) Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King are asking President Biden to encourage Japan to see “eye to eye” with the US when it comes to the hundred-billion-dollar potato industry. The recent state visit by Japan’s Prime Minister prompted a bipartisan group of Senators to ask for the removal of what they say are unnecessary roadblocks imposed by the Japanese agricultural ministry that have resulted in a $150M loss to potato growers.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Belfast “Battle of the Badges”
(Belfast) Mark your calendar for Belfast’s Battle of the Badges charity basketball game a week from today – on Monday, April 22nd. Belfast Police and Fire will be putting up the shots to help raise funds for the Senior Class of 2024. The fun-spirited but competitive game between Belfast’s favorite first responders will be staffed by students accepting donations at the door. Tip off at 6 p.m.
(Belfast) Belfast’s police and fire departments are having a showdown – on the basketball court, that is. And it’s for a great cause. The Battle of the Badges charity basketball game will help raise funds for the Senior Class of 2024. Tip off for the fun-spirited competition is at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 22nd – donations of any amount will be accepted at the door.
Sports
A big shoutout to all those running the Boston Marathon today – hope you’re blessed with good weather, great legs, and an awesome run.
The Celtics beat the Wizards Sunday 132-122 in the teams’ regular season finale. Celtics finish the regular season 64-18, their 15th with 60-plus wins. The Celtics now await their first round playoff opponent for next Sunday.
Bruins in Washington tonight to take on the Capitals.
Red Sox – The Red Sox went 2 and 0 against the Angels this weekend. They’re at bat against the Cleveland Guardians later this morning at Fenway. (also, Tues, Wed, Thu evening).
Scottie Scheffler wins a second green jacket in his golf career in the Masters yesterday in Augusta, saying while he still loves competing, golf will likely now be fourth in line behind God, his wife, and his soon-to-be-born first child.