Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Baileyville Man Arrested After Shot Fired at Downtown Motel
(Baileyville) A Baileyville man was arrested and taken to the Washington County Jail following an incident Wednesday at the Downeast Motel. Police say they got a call around 9:30 Wednesday morning reporting a gunshot. Authorities quickly arrived at the motel and found a bullet hole in the floor of the room, but no one inside. They later found the suspect, 35 yo Nathan Fletcher, on South Princeton Road in Baileyville. He’s being held without bail. Part of Route One in Baileyville was closed for several hours while police investigated.
(Baileyville) A 35 yo Baileyville man is being held without bail at the Washington County Jail, after allegedly shooting off a gun inside the Downeast Motel. Authorities say they got a call around 9:30 Wednesday morning reporting the gunshot. When they arrived, no one was in the room where the shot was heard, but police found a bullet hole in the floor. They later found the suspect, Nathan Fletcher, on South Princeton Road in Baileyville. Part of Route One was closed for several hours while police investigated.
Proposed OSHA Changes Could Hurt Local Fire Departments
(Maine) OSHA is proposing changes to guidelines and regulations fire departments must follow. Those changes could deal a blow to the many volunteer fire departments throughout Maine. NewsCenter Maine reports the standards haven’t been updated in forty years; and though upgrades may be overdue, they come with funding requirements most smaller volunteer departments will struggle to absorb. The new guidelines include replacing turnout gear more often. At a cost of up to $4,000 per firefighter, departments say that will mean a greater burden on taxpayers. Another challenge – a requirement of hundreds of additional training hours. Most volunteer firefighters work other jobs and will find it difficult to attend trainings, most of which take place during the normal working day. Public comments for the Emergency Response Standard are open until June 21st at Regulations dot gov.
(Maine) Small, volunteer fire departments that serve many towns in Maine say they could get burned by proposed new OSHA guidelines. NewsCenter Maine reports while upgrades to safety standards may be overdue, they come with funding requirements most smaller volunteer departments will struggle to absorb. The new guidelines include replacing engines and turnout gear more often. At a cost of up to $4,000 to outfit each firefighter, replacing gear more often will mean a greater burden on taxpayers. Another challenge – the recommended requirement of hundreds of additional training hours. Most volunteer firefighters work other jobs and will find it difficult to attend trainings, most of which take place during the normal working day. Public comments for the Emergency Response Standard are open until June 21st at Regulations dot gov.
Great Pond Fatal Fire Update
(Great Pond) Authorities have released the identities of the two people whose bodies were found in the rubble of a home that burned in Great Pond on Monday. One victim, 35 yo Marie Robbins, lived in the home. The other was identified as 38 yo Ryan Devisme of Aurora. Maine State Police say the deaths are considered suspicious, but further testing by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will be necessary before releasing a final determination on a cause. Police say they do not believe there is any threat to the public.
(Great Pond) State Police say the two people whose bodies were found in a burned out home on Old Dam Way in Great Pond on Monday were 35 yo Marie Robbins, who lived in the home, and 38 yo Ryan Devisme of Aurora. Authorities have not yet determined a definitive cause of death, but say the deaths are considered suspicious. An investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is ongoing. They do not believe there is any threat to the public.
Gun Give Back
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Police Department has teamed with the Maine Gun Safety Coalition to host an upcoming “Gun Give Back” at the station, 416 High Street. Drive up and drop off any unwanted firearms on Saturday, June 1st, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Cable locks, which can be safely used to store any firearm, will be available free of charge. Fifteen law enforcement agencies statewide, including Ellsworth and Bar Harbor, are participating in the “Gun Give Back”.
(Ellsworth) You can safely rid your home of unwanted firearms and ammunition on Saturday, June 1st at the “Gun Give Back”. Fifteen law enforcement agencies statewide, including the Ellsworth and Bar Harbor Police Departments, will be collecting long guns, shotguns, handguns, air rifles, and pellet guns. Drive up and drop off unwanted guns and ammunition from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Ellsworth PD, located at 416 High Street. Cable locks, which can be safely used to store any firearm, will be available free of charge.
MDMR Offers Tips for Summer Boating Safety
(Maine) Memorial Day Monday kicks off the summer recreational boating season. The Maine Department of Marine Resources reminds boaters, beginning this year, anyone born on or after January 1, 1999 must be at least 12 years old and take a boater safety course to operate a motorized recreational boat. MDMR also encourages these reminders for a safe, enjoyable boating season: they say always wear a life jacket (a requirement for anyone 10 and under), check your boat and gear, check the local marine forecast before heading out, never boat under the influence; and if paddling, place an identification sticker on your craft, bring a VHF radio and cell phone in a waterproof case, and be aware of water temperatures, which are still quite cold this time of year.
(Maine) Planning an outing on the water this Memorial Day weekend? The Department of Marine Resources offers these tips for a safe and enjoyable boating season. They say always wear a life jacket (a requirement for anyone 10 and under), check your boat and gear, check the local marine forecast before heading out, never boat under the influence; and if paddling, place an identification sticker on your craft, bring a VHF radio and cell phone in a waterproof case, and be aware of water temperatures, which are still quite cold this time of year. A reminder that beginning this year, anyone born on or after January 1, 1999 must be at least 12 years old and must take a boater safety course in order to operate a motorized craft.
Local Politics
Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative Expands
(Augusta) A $6.6M investment will provide 4,000 middle and high school students with access to free afterschool and summer outdoor learning and career exploration programs. Governor Janet Mills Thursday announced a significant expansion to her Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative. The initiative is a statewide effort to connect Maine’s young people to the outdoors through hands-on learning activities, including hiking, kayaking, farming and forestry. The expansion utilizes federal funds for the more than 100 programs offered between now and the fall.
(Augusta) From hiking to kayaking, farming to forestry – more than 4,000 middle and high school students will have access to free afterschool and summer outdoor learning and career exploration programs this summer and fall. Governor Janet Mills said her Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative will utilize $6.6M in federal funds to expand the two-year-old program. The statewide effort invests in more than 100 programs designed to connect Maine’s young people to the outdoors.
Economy
Coastal Interiors for Sale
(Ellsworth) Another opportunity for business owners looking for property in thriving Downtown Ellsworth. The historic building that houses Coastal Interiors on Water Street is for sale, along with that business. The Ellsworth American reports owner Lori Chase has had the design business for 25 years, but says she’s ready for something new. The building and the business are for sale for $3.35 million. The building and business may be sold separately, but Chase says the business will need to sell before the building.
(Ellsworth) A historic building in Downtown Ellsworth is for sale – along with the business it houses. The Ellsworth American reports Coastal Interiors on Water Street went on the market about seven months ago, and comes with the town’s quintessential mural painted on the exterior. Coastal Interiors owner Lori Chase has had the design business for 25 years, but says she’s ready for something new. The building and the business are for sale for $3.35 million. The building and business may be sold separately, but Chase says the business will need to sell before the building.
Education
Ellsworth High School Plans Decision Day
(Ellsworth) Next Wednesday is a big day for seniors at Ellsworth High School! Dubbed “Decision Day”, the school will assemble in the EHS Theatre to celebrate the class of 2024 and their plans for the future. Whether it’s continuing on with college or technical school, taking a “gap” year, joining the military, or entering the workforce, the graduates are well-prepared to go out and tackle the world that is theirs to shape. There will be a guest speaker, and each Senior will receive individual recognition, a “decision” certificate, and a special gift. The celebration is not open to the public, but will be streamed on the EHS YouTube Channel.
(Ellsworth) Graduating seniors, the world is yours to shape and make into a better one – and that’s worth celebrating. On Wednesday, Ellsworth High School will celebrate the Class of 2024 with “Decision Day”. The school will assemble in the EHS Theatre as seniors share their plans for the future. Whether continuing on with college or technical school, taking a “gap” year, joining the military, or entering the workforce, the graduates are well-prepared to go out and tackle the world that is theirs to shape. There will be a guest speaker, and each Senior will receive individual recognition, a “decision” certificate, and a special gift. The celebration is not open to the public, but will be streamed on the EHS YouTube Channel.
Environment
ANP Gears Up for a Busy Memorial Day Weekend
(ANP) Acadia National Park is gearing up for one of the busiest weekends of the year. Rangers encourage visitors to arrive with a plan – and a backup plan. They say park responsibly and only in designated areas. Everyone over age 15 must have a park pass, and visitors must display that pass through their vehicle’s windshield. If you plan to drive up Cadillac Mountain for one of those magnificent sunrises or sunsets, or if you plan to camp at one of the Park’s campgrounds, you must reserve a spot through recreation dot gov. And park officials say if you plan to hike, make sure you know the difficulty of trails before setting out and don’t rely on your cell phone as a map or flashlight.
(ANP) The upcoming Memorial Day weekend is expected to be one of the year’s busiest at Acadia National Park – both on MDI and Schoodic. Rangers encourage visitors to arrive with a plan – and a backup plan. Remember, you must have a park pass and must display that in your vehicle. If you plan to drive up Cadillac Mountain for one of those magnificent sunrises or sunsets, or if you plan to camp at one of the Park’s campgrounds, you must reserve a spot through recreation dot gov. And park officials say if you plan to hike, make sure you know the difficulty of trails before setting out and don’t rely on your cell phone as a map or flashlight.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Edith Dixon Leaves Legacy of Philanthropy
(Winter Harbor) You can’t hear the name Edith Dixon without conjuring visions of giving and community support. The seasonal resident of Winter Harbor passed away May 18th at the age of 91. Dixon and her late husband are noted for their generosity to Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital, Schoodic Arts for All, and the Schoodic Institute, donating a million dollars toward the renovation of Rockefeller Hall in 2009. Dixon will be remembered by many for her smile and her overwhelming generosity.
(Winter Harbor) If ever there was a person whose middle name was “Generosity”, it was Edith Dixon. The Philanthropist and seasonal Winter Harbor resident passed away May 18th at the age of 91, but leaves a lasting legacy in Downeast Maine. Dixon and her family were unstinting supporters of Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital, which named the new birthing center unveiled earlier this year in her honor – the Dixon Family Birth Unit. She and her late husband also gave millions to support Schoodic Arts for All, the Schoodic Institute, and many more community organizations.
Sports
The Red Sox back home at Fenway this evening to run the bases against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Celtics pull off another win in Game Two of Eastern Conference Finals, beating the Pacers last night 126-110. Game 3 Saturday in Indianapolis (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)