Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
CMP Warns of Continuing Scams
(Maine) Central Maine Power is reminding customers to be alert for potential scammers. They say while scams are ongoing throughout the year, they’ve received reports of more aggressive tactics being used this spring, including some scammers going door-to-door posing as CMP personnel. CMP says if you’re unsure of a person’s credentials, contact the utility directly, never give out personal information or account numbers to callers or someone about whose identity you’re unsure. The company says it will never send an employee into your home to use a computer or other device, have an employee take a photo of your electric bill, or send an employee to your home to offer a discount or encourage you to sign up for a service.
(Maine) CMP is warning that in addition to scams being on the increase, scammers have become increasingly savvy and aggressive this spring, with some even going door-to-door posing as CMP personnel. The company says if you’re unsure of a person’s identity, call the number on your bill. The utility says it will never ask customers to take a payment with a prepaid debit card or other nonrefundable method. They say scammers will sometimes use fraudulent phone numbers that appear to be from the utility and may even send fraudulent emails and texts. If you’re not sure, again, they say, check directly with CMP.
Letter Alleges Cause of Ellsworth Police Chief’s Termination
(Ellsworth) A termination letter from Ellsworth City Council obtained by WABI alleges former Ellsworth Police Chief Glenn Moshier was fired for coming to work drunk. The letter states Moshier was at home and admitted to having five beers the evening of December 22nd when he was notified of an officer-involved shooting and went in to support his officers. Council members indicated the decision to terminate Moshier was based on his “most likely” coming to work drunk. But at least one former City Council member, Gene Lyons, implied the decision was based on circumstantial evidence, pointing out no breathalyzer test was administered and none of the officers on the night of the incident asked Moshier to leave when they suspected he was drunk. Lyons further questioned why even with knowledge of the incident, Moshier’s contract as City Manager was later extended, even after he was placed on leave as the City’s Police Chief.
(Ellsworth) It may have been an error in judgment that cost Glenn Moshier his job as Ellsworth Police Chief. A letter from City Council obtained by WABI alleges he was fired for coming to work on December 22nd when he was “most likely drunk”. In the termination letter, Moshier was reportedly off duty at home and admitted to having five beers between 5 and 9 that evening when he was notified of an officer-involved shooting and went in to support his officers. Council said Moshier violated four town policies, including likely showing up drunk and behaving unprofessionally. Some are defending Moshier, questioning why, even with knowledge of the December 22nd incident, after which he was placed on leave as Police Chief, his contract as City Manager was extended. Former City Council member Gene Lyons questioned why officers who complained of Moshier’s behavior that night failed to administer a breathalyzer and also “failed to protect the investigation” by insisting he leave.
(Ellsworth) A termination letter obtained by WABI indicates former Ellsworth Police Chief Glenn Moshier was fired for “most likely” being drunk when he came to work on the night of an officer involved shooting last December. Moshier was reportedly off duty at home and admitted to having five beers between 5 and 9 p.m. when he was made aware of the incident and said he went in to support his officers. Officer Troy Bires reportedly complained to City Council about Moshier’s actions that evening. Moshier was placed on leave from his role as Police Chief six days later, but Council extended his contract as City Manager. Former City Councilor Gene Lyons defended Moshier, indicating he felt there was more to the story. Lyons said he felt it would be impossible to be drunk with five drinks in 5 and a half hours and also questioned why no breathalyzer was administered and why, if officers felt Moshier was drunk, they “failed to protect the investigation” by not asking Moshier to leave.
Local Politics
Gun Safety Bills Head Toward Final Passage
(AP) A series of gun safety bills is headed toward final passage today, as the state Legislature wraps up the current session. The House endorsed two bills previously approved by the Senate – a 72 hour waiting period for gun purchases and a ban on bump stocks. The House also voted to enact the Governor’s omnibus safety bill, which strengthens Maine’s yellow flag law, boosts background checks for private gun sales, and makes it a crime to recklessly sell a gun to a prohibited person. A proposed red flag law that allows family members to petition to remove guns from someone in a psychiatric crisis is also awaiting action.
(AP) No surprise, gun safety legislation is at the forefront as the state legislature races to wrap up its current session today. A proposed red flag law that allows family members to petition to remove guns from someone in a psychiatric crisis is awaiting action. In addition, the House endorsed two bills previously approved by the Senate – a 72 hour waiting period for gun purchases and a ban on bump stocks. The House also voted to enact the Governor’s omnibus safety bill that strengthens Maine’s yellow flag law, boosts background checks for private gun sales, and makes it a crime to recklessly sell a gun to a prohibited person.
Mills, Keliher Express Discontent Over Senate Amendment of LD 2225
(Augusta) Both Governor Janet Mills and MDMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher have expressed disappointment over a Senate amendment to legislation known as LD 2225. The legislation would provide funding for municipal, or regional infrastructure adaptation, repair and improvements that support public safety. But an amendment by the Senate adds more than $100M in what they say is unrelated spending. Governor Mills said the amendment was crafted behind closed doors without public input. Keliher called it the Senate playing politics with the Governor’s bill to rebuild Maine’s devastated coastal infrastructure. He added Maine fishermen, seafood dealers, and coastal towns would pay the price. In a letter to the legislature on Tuesday, both the Governor and the Commissioner called for a clean bill.
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills didn’t mince words yesterday when expressing her disappointment over a Senate amendment to legislation designed to provide funding for municipal, or regional infrastructure adaptation, repair and improvements that support public safety and rebuilding. The Governor said the amendment adds more than $100M in unrelated spending that would cost Maine fishermen, seafood dealers, and coastal towns. The Governor further said the amendment was crafted behind closed doors without public input. Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher has joined the Governor in calling for a clean bill.
Economy
University of Maine Students Volunteer for Food Security
(Orono) Next week, hundreds of UMaine students will take part in the Maine Day Meal Packout, packing 55,000 meals to help alleviate food insecurity for individuals across the state. Organized by Honors College students and staff, the Packout is an annual tradition that has provided more than 600,000 meals for distribution by area food pantries. The event takes place Tuesday, April 23, at the Memorial Gym on the University campus in Orono.
(Orono) Students and staff of UMaine’s Honors College are “hungry” to help alleviate food insecurity across the state. Next Tuesday, they’ll be gathering at the University’s Memorial Gym in Orono for the Maine Day Meal Packout. They’ll be packing 55,000 meals for food pantries to distribute to those in need. Since its inception, the annual tradition has provided more than 600,000 meals.
Environment
Earth Day Reminder
(Undated) Earth Day is just about a week away, which means many are thinking about sustainability, recycling, and other environmental issues. The Power Tool Institute reminds folks if that power tool battery has reached the end of its life, never throw it in a waste bin or curbside recycling. Instead, take those lithium batteries to a local battery recycling center. PTI says placing a battery into a regular garbage bin can lead to a phenomenon called thermal runaway; basically meaning it can catch on fire. Some Home Depot stores offer Call2Recycle sites, or you can check with your local waste disposal service or municipal officials.
Health
Shriners Host Free Screening Clinics
(Ellsworth) The Anah Shriners are hosting a no-cost screening clinic for children this Saturday, form 9 to Noon at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Ellsworth. Shriners’ specialties include burn care, cleft palate, sports injuries and fractures, Scoliosis, and more. If you know a child age 18 or younger who needs help, they’re eligible for care at Shriners Hospitals for Children, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. For more information, visit anah shriners dot org or see them on social media.
(Ellsworth) This Saturday, the Anah Shriners will be at St. Andrew Lutheran Church on the Douglas Highway in Ellsworth, offering free screenings for children 18 and under. The Shriners’ specialties include burn care, orthopedics, pediatric surgery, spina bifida, cerebral palsy and more. If you know a child that Shriners Hospitals for Children may be able to help, you’re asked to share and encourage them to attend the no cost screening – again, that’s this Saturday from 9 until Noon at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Ellsworth.
Maine Seacoast Mission Works to Create Virtual Healthcare Bridge for Islands
(NE Harbor) A $90K grant will help Maine Seacoast Mission create a healthcare bridge for island residents. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration will allow the Mission to work with MDI Hospital and others to provide more telehealth and in-person visits. While MSM has provided telemedicine services to Maine’s unbridged islands since 2003, the onset of COVID meant shifting such services to all patients; so now, many island residents connect to such services from their home. A survey showed Islanders want telehealth connections with specialists such as dermatologists, cardiologists, behavioral health and substance abuse providers.
(NE Harbor) Maine Seacoast Mission has been providing residents of the state’s unbridged islands with telehealth services since 2003. But the onset of COVID meant a need to provide such services to all such residents. Now a $90K grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration will allow the Mission to work with MDI Hospital, Northern Light Health, and MaineHealth to provide even better telehealth and in-person health services. A survey showed Islanders want telehealth connections with specialists such as dermatologists, cardiologists, behavioral health and substance abuse providers.
Infrastructure
Comment Period Open for Proposed Pembroke Dam
(Pembroke) The comment period is now open regarding a proposal to build a concrete tidal diversion dam and other structures at the mouth of Cobscook Bay near Pembroke in Washington County. The proposed project would generate an estimated 87,000 megawatt hours. Pembroke Tidal Power Project, LLC, has filed an application for a preliminary permit for the project. Comments should be submitted within 60 days of the March 28th filing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, attention Nathan Tatum.
(Pembroke) Pembroke Tidal Power has filed an application to build a concrete tidal diversion dam and other structures at the mouth of Cobscook Bay near Pembroke in Washington County. The proposed project would generate about 87,000 megawatt hours annually. The preliminary permit does not authorize any land- or water- disturbing activities. A comment period related to the project is now open. Comments can be submitted within 60 days of the March 28th filing to nathan dot tatum at f e r c dot gov.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Maine Rep Still in Running for American Idol
(Cumberland) Maine’s Julia Gagnon made it into the top 14 this week, thanks to your votes. This Sunday, the Cumberland resident and the other Top 14 will perform songs by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, with two being eliminated following that competition. On Monday, the remaining dozen will perform Billboard No. 1 hits and be narrowed down to the top 10. The 21 yo Gagnon was adopted from Guatemala as a child and has said she was bullied because she looked different. As a young person, she says she kept quiet about her talent. Thank goodness she overcame that, because she sure can belt out the tunes.
(Cumberland) Maine’s Julia Gagnon, who hails from Cumberland, was the last person to audition for American Idol last November. Her voice and talent were so powerful, the judges awarded her performance of an Aretha Franklin song with one of only three platinum tickets – giving her a pass through the first round of Hollywood Week. And she’s still in the running. Your votes Sunday and Monday helped to propel her into the Top 14. Those artists will perform Sunday and Monday and the field will then be narrowed down to the top ten. We think our gal deserves to go all the way. Keep an eye out for a link to vote after Sunday’s performance.
Sports
Bruins dropped the puck yesterday in the final game of regular season. The Ottawa Senators skated to a 3-1 win. The Bruins will square off against the Maple Leafs in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs; Toronto hasn’t beaten the Bruins in the postseason since 1959.
The Red Sox now 0 and 2 against the Guardians – Cleveland won again last night at Fenway 10-7. Red Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians today and Thursday.