Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Motorcycle Fatal
(Biddeford) Another motorcycle fatality, this one in Biddeford Friday. Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, 21 yo Zachary Swain of Connecticut was exiting the turnpike when he failed to negotiate the curved southbound off-ramp. Swain struck the guardrail and was thrown from his bike. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say he was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The accident happened Friday night around 6:30 near mile marker 32. The off ramp was closed for two hours while the crash was investigated.
(Biddeford) A Friday evening motorcycle journey proved fatal for a Connecticut man. Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, 21 yo Zachary Swain was southbound on the Maine turnpike near mile marker 32 in Biddeford about 6:30 that evening, when he failed to negotiate the curved southbound ramp. Swain’s motorcycle struck the guardrail, and he was thrown from his bike. He died at the scene. Authorities say he was wearing a helmet. The off ramp was closed for about two hours Friday night while authorities investigated.
MDEA Agents Seize Large Amount of Fentanyl
(Biddeford) Maine Drug Enforcement Agents seized more than seven pounds of fentanyl from an apartment in Biddeford last week, along with a loaded handgun and suspected drug proceeds. As a result, officers arrested 24 yo Almuntadhar Mohammad on drug charges. A months-long investigation revealed Mohammad purchased large amounts of the drug from out-of-state sources, repackaged it in various doses, and distributed it throughout southern Maine. Street value of the drugs seized is said to be more than $300K.
Agents Cite Progress in Combating Illegal Marijuana Growing Operations
(Portland) The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to collaborate with federal, state and local law enforcement to address the issue of illegal marijuana growing operations throughout Maine. US Attorney Darcie McElwee said coordinated efforts involving the DEA, FBI, Homeland Security, and the IRS have resulted in the dismantling of more than 40 operations and have led to numerous arrests in recent months. McElwee praised the cooperation of state and local agencies. The DEA has identified the involvement of transnational criminal organizations, although individuals encountered at the sites have reportedly been US citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Knox RCC Back in Operation
(Rockland) The Knox County RCC is back to full operation. For the past eight months, Waldo County fielded 9-1-1 calls for Knox County, transferring information electronically to the staff in Rockland, while Knox County officials worked to refill staff numbers that had become so low, maintaining the RCC was no longer possible. The Pen Bay Pilot reports a number of new staff has gone through a 16-week training course, while previous staff members have returned. The Knox County RCC typically handles between 12 and 14 thousand calls a year, not including the approximately 44,000 calls to a non-emergency line. The contract with Waldo County still has 28 days left, which will act as a cushion against any unforeseen electronic or other glitches.
(Rockland) For more than eight months, calls to Knox County 9-1-1 have gone to Waldo County, which then transferred information electronically to staff in Rockland. The interim change was necessitated when the Knox County RCC became so short staffed it was no longer sustainable. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the Knox County RCC is now back to being fully operational, with some former staff returning and a number of new staff having completed a 16-week training course. The contract with Waldo County still has 28 days left, which will act as a cushion against any unforeseen electronic or other glitches.
Maine Adopts Mass Violence Care Fund
(Augusta) Maine is now the second state to adopt a Mass Violence Care Fund. The $5M endowment will be invested by the State Treasurer, in order to grow and support future needs of Lewiston shooting victims. The resource is modeled after the first such fund adopted in Virginia last year at the urging of Joe Shaha. Shaha’s daughter was among 32 people killed at Virginia Tech in 2007. Maine Public says the fund, which will be distributed at the Attorney General’s Office, is designed to pay for ongoing care and assistance to victims of mass casualties.
(Augusta) Maine now has a Mass Violence Care Fund. The Pine Tree State is the second to adopt such a fund, which is modeled after one adopted in Virginia last year at the urging of Joe Shaha, whose daughter was among 32 people killed at Virginia Tech in 2007. Maine Public reports the fund will be distributed through the Maine Victims Compensation Fund at the Attorney General’s Office and is designed to pay for ongoing care and assistance to victims of mass casualties, such as last year’s tragedy in Lewiston.
Just-in-Time-Recreation Reopens in Lewiston
(Lewiston) You could have heard a pin drop – in fact, patrons heard lots of pins dropping at the Just-in-Time Recreation, as the bowling alley reopened Friday in Lewiston, a little over six months since it was the scene of one of the country’s worst mass shootings. The Portland Press Herald reports Friday’s event was more than a grand reopening, it was an act of defiance against such violence … and the beginning of better times, as the community gathered in support and healing. The facility underwent an extreme makeover, including a new color scheme, which helped some who were there on that tragic night process and begin to move on. .
Fallen Firefighters Honored
(Augusta) You may have noticed flags flown at half staff Sunday. The measure was ordered by Governor Janet Mills to honor fallen firefighters. A National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service was held yesterday in Emmitsburg, Maryland. President Biden has also declared yesterday and today as National Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
Local Politics
King Advocates for Online Safety for Children and Teens
(Washington, DC) The world can be a dangerous place, and when it comes to child and teen safety, social media has become equally threatening. Senator Angus King is co-sponsoring legislation designed to protect children and teens online. The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act strengthens and modernizes provisions of an earlier similar act by updating privacy laws, cracking down on harmful data collection, and holding Big Tech companies accountable for harm and manipulation of children online.
Education
College Graduation Weekend
(Maine) Lots of college graduations over the weekend. Students at the University of Maine and Husson who received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and human development, liberal arts and sciences, business, earth, life and health sciences, and engineering are on their way across the state, country, and world to begin new adventures and to add to the global economy. We wish them all the best!
(Maine) It’s the dawn of a new day for thousands who graduated this weekend from the University of Maine, Husson and other Universities. Thousands earned degrees in such varied fields as education and engineering, liberal arts and business and more. Students will be heading around the state, across the country, and abroad to use their knowledge to add to the global economy. Wishing them all the best.
Health
Air Quality Awareness Week
(Maine) This week is Air Quality Awareness Week. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection says while Maine has some of the best quality air in the nation, there are still pollutants like ground level ozone and small particles that can harm heart and lungs. Maine’s ozone levels peak during the warmer summer months, while particle pollution levels are higher mostly during the summer and winter months. In recent years, Maine has also seen an increase in smoke from wildfires in the Western US and Canada. Maine forecasts Ozone and Particle Pollution year-round on DEP’s website.
Infrastructure
Cadillac Summit Road Closed for Repaving
(ANP) The Cadillac Summit Road at Acadia National Park closed at 6 a.m. this morning for repaving and striping. Weather permitting, the road will remain closed to all uses through Thursday, May 9th. Vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian access is prohibited during the closure. National Park Service officials say visitors can also expect single lane closures on other sections of the Park Loop Road throughout the season. Beginning May 22nd through October 27th, reservations are required for the Cadillac Summit Road – reserve your access at Recreation dot gov.
(ANP) The Cadillac Summit Road at Acadia National Park will be inaccessible for the next few days. Weather permitting, crews will be repaving and striping the road. The road closed to all traffic – vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian – at 6 this morning and will remain closed through this Thursday, May 9th. Visitors to the park should also expect delays on the Park Loop Road throughout the season, as work will necessitate single lane closures on sections of the road. And don’t forget, beginning May 22nd, you’ll need a reservation to drive up the Cadillac Summit Road – that will be in effect through October 27th. Reservations at Recreation dot gov.
ANP to Reopen Seawall Campground
(ANP) Acadia National Park says it plans to open Seawall Campground for the season as scheduled on May 22nd. The National Park Service worked with the town of SW Harbor to repair a water line that serves the campground and says it remains committed to working with Maine DOT and the towns of SW Harbor and Tremont to explore short- and long-term solutions to the current road closure caused by this winter’s destructive storms.
Human Interest/Entertainment
DCP Driver Earns Governor’s Award
(Ellsworth) Bradley Lowell is your ultimate volunteer – at least that’s what a recent award indicates. Lowell is a volunteer driver with Downeast Community Partners who’s been honored with the Governor’s Award for Service and Volunteerism. To qualify, a volunteer must have worked a minimum of 500 volunteer hours in the past year. Easy-peasy for Lowell, who’s logged more than 1200 hours in just the past seven months. DCP says he’s been with them for more than a decade and regularly puts in more than 40 hours a week, driving folks they serve wherever they need to go. Congratulations and job well done!
Memorial Day Parade
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth VFW Post 109 will host a parade in downtown Ellsworth this Memorial Day – this year, that’s Monday, May 27th. Line up will be at the Moore Community Center beginning at 9 a.m., with the parade kicking off at 10 that morning. Veterans especially are encouraged to come walk and connect with other Veterans, and they say you don’t have to dress up special. Questions can be addressed by calling Randy Mosley at 479-4181.
MaineCF Grants for Animal Welfare
(Ellsworth) Grants are available from the Maine Community Foundation for organizations and projects that advance animal welfare for small companion animals in the state. In 2023, MaineCF awarded more than $400K to 29 organizations, including for a low-cost spay and neuter program at Somerset Humane Society and general support for Give A Dog A Home German Shepherd Rescue. Application deadline is Monday, June 3rd. Visit maine c f dot org to apply or to learn more.
Julia Gagnon Voted Out on American Idol
(Cumberland) Although Maine’s Julia Gagnon didn’t make the top 5 in last night’s American Idol, her voice and her presence are out there and the music world has taken notice. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for her – we’re sure it will be a bright one.
Sports
Mystik Dan scored a thrilling win in Saturday’s 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, winning by a nose, in spite of a last minute charge from Sierra Leone and Forever Young. Jockey Brian Hernandez rode Mystik Dan to the dramatic three-horse photo finish victory.
Red Sox had a tough time against the Twins in Minnesota this weekend, losing the first two games but coming back strong yesterday to beat the Twins 9-2. Red Sox have the night off tonight. They head to Atlanta Tuesday to run the bases against the Braves.
Round One, Game Two of the NBA Playoffs tomorrow. The Celtics will be on the court against the Cavs in Boston.
And the Bruins and Maple Leafs took it all the way to Game Seven Saturday, with Boston pulling off a 2-1 win in overtime to move on to Round Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They’ll face the Panthers in Florida tonight for Round Two, Game One.