Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Maine State Police Awards Ceremony
(Vassalboro) Two civilians whose actions helped stop and restrain a person with a knife. Dispatchers and officers who stepped up during a shooting incident on I-295 in Yarmouth. Troopers who exhibited life saving actions during the Lewiston shooting. Those are among the many heroes scheduled to be recognized at Friday morning’s Maine State Police Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is held to recognize past and present members of the Maine State Police, both civilian and sworn members, and citizens of Maine who have gone above and beyond what is expected of them. The event commences at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy of Vassalboro.
(Vassalboro) Trooper of the Year, Legendary Trooper, Leadership and Bravery Awards … those are among honors that will be bestowed Friday morning during the Maine State Police Awards ceremony in Vassalboro. The ceremony is held to recognize past and present members of the Maine State Police, both civilian and sworn members, and citizens of Maine who have gone above and beyond what is expected of them. The event commences at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy of Vassalboro.
Hancock to Build New Fire Station
(Hancock) The Village of Hancock will get its much-needed new fire station, thanks to a more than $1.5M grant from Senator Susan Collins’s office. Chief Chris Holmes worked especially hard filling out the paperwork needed to secure the grant. Team Yellow anticipates a ground breaking in the very near future, and the project will soon be put out to bid. A less than ideal two car garage with a furnace has served as the fire station, but has no running water and barely enough room to fit the trucks. That will all change with the new station, which the Hancock Volunteer Fire Department reports will mirror closely the Mariaville/Otis Fire Department Station.
(Hancock) The Hancock Volunteer Fire Department is fired up about the news they’ve been awarded a more than $1.5M grant from Senator Susan Collins’s office to build a much-needed new facility. Chief Chris Holmes spent hours filling out paperwork to secure the grant. The new station will replace the woefully inadequate current building that’s basically a two car garage with a furnace but no running water. The new station will be built across from the current one and will likely mirror the Mariaville/Otis Fire Department. Team Yellow also credited the Town of Hancock Selectmen, the Fire Station Committee and Senator Collins for collaborating to secure the funds for the new fire station.
Local Politics
Pingree Leads Push for Additional H-2B Visas
(Washington, DC) Democrat Chellie Pingree is leading a bipartisan amendment to increase the cap on seasonal labor, or H-2B, visas. The proposed amendment to the FY 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations bill is co-led by Republican Andy Harris of Maryland and comes as Maine enters its busy tourism season while continuing to face a worker shortage. Pingree said she’s concerned for the many small businesses, such as hotels and restaurants, that need to fill seasonal job openings.
Economy
Hancock County Habitat for Humanity Plans New Home Groundbreaking
(Blue Hill) Hancock County Habitat for Humanity is doing its part to provide affordable housing with a ground breaking this Saturday for their latest home in Blue Hill. The simple, energy efficient home has been designed to meet the needs of the recipient, now and in the future and will be built off Route 15 on Pine Ridge Lane. The land and home are part of a 5 acre parcel donated by Benny and Anne Wall for development of affordable housing.
(Blue Hill) Sonia will soon be a homeowner in Blue Hill, thanks to Hancock County Habitat for Humanity. The group will break ground on the home on Saturday morning. The simple, energy efficient home has been designed to meet the needs of the future homeowner, now and in the years to come. It will be built off Route 15 on Pine Ridge Lane. The land and home are part of a 5 acre parcel donated by Benny and Anne Wall for development of affordable housing.
Education
UMaine Augusta Names VP of Advancement and Alumni Relations
(Augusta) Erin Fogg has been tapped to take on the role of Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Relations at the University of Maine at Augusta. Fogg earned her MBA at Husson University and brings more than 20 years experience in the development field. Among other duties, she’ll be guiding fundraising efforts, donor relations, alumni engagement, and supporting sustainable growth. Fogg’s first day at UMA will be July 8th.
Residence Hall Dedicated to Outgoing President
(Bar Harbor) Dr. Darron Collins may be stepping down from his role as President of College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, but the school is making sure they show their appreciation for his years of service. At a ceremony earlier this week, the college’s newest residence hall was christened The Collins House. The 46-bed residence is built for peak ecological performance, designed on the standards of zero emissions buildings. Collins, a ‘92 COA grad himself, has headed up the school for more than 12 years, during which time he completed two successful capital campaigns, construction of three new buildings, and a doubling of student housing options. Under his leadership, the school was named the leading green college by Princeton Review from 2016-2023, and is now getting ready to welcome an impressive array of speakers for its seventh COA Summer Institute.
Environment
Maine GEO to Host Offshore Wind Webinar
(Augusta) The Maine Governor’s Energy Office will host an informational webinar on the state’s offshore wind research array leasing process a week from today (Thursday). The June 20th meeting will provide an overview of the research lease process for Maine’s floating offshore wind research program. Interested parties can register in advance for the hour and a half webinar through the Maine Department of Marine Resources. The webinar is scheduled for 4 to 5:30 on Thursday, June 20th.
Boat US Seeks Organizations for Cleanup of Abandoned and Derelict Vessels
(Undated) The ocean floor is littered with abandoned and derelict vessels, clogging ports, waterways, and estuaries all over the country, sometimes smothering sensitive plants and corals, threatening safe navigation, and causing hazards, especially during coastal storms. Because there may be no local funding for removing them – removal of a single boat can run tens of thousands of dollars – Boat US Foundation is seeking qualified organizations to submit projects for funding of removal of such vessels from the nation’s waterways. To learn more about applying for funding to clean up local waterways, contact the Boat US Foundation. Applications may be made through August 12th.
ANP Seeks Volunteers for Mountaintop Restoration
(ANP) Finally, we’re going to end this newscast by giving you the dirt, so listen up. Acadia National Park is looking for tenacious hikers to bring bags of soil to the summits of Penobscot and Sargeant Mountains. You see, Acadia’s mountain plants aren’t adapted to foot traffic, and decades of trampling by humans has damaged plant communities and eroded soil on these mountain tops. For the past seven years, groups have been working to replace lost soil by having volunteers “hand deliver” bags of soil to the summits. This year’s “Save Our Summits” Volunteer Program will take place every Wednesday from June through September. Hikes run from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., weather permitting. Advance registration is required at friends of acadia dot org.
(ANP) Acadia National Park wants you to help make a mountain out of a molehill. Well, not exactly…. You see, Acadia’s mountain plants are hardy, but haven’t adapted to the legions of foot traffic and decades of trampling by humans. For the past seven years, the Park, Friends of Acadia, Schoodic Institute, and Native Plant Trust have solicited volunteers to hike bags of soil to the tops of certain mountains to help restore damaged plant communities and eroded areas. If you’re up for some real dirty work, this year’s “Save Our Summits” Volunteer Program will take place Wednesdays from June through September. Hikes run from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., weather permitting. Advance registration is required at friends of acadia dot org.
Dams Block Passage of Endangered Salmon
(Maine) Maine is the only US state where wild Atlantic Salmon have survived – those in just a few rivers, including the Kennebec and Penobscot. Yet four dams in Maine are hindering the migration of salmon and other sea-run fish, prompting concerns over whether the dams are producing enough electricity to justify ongoing operations, especially with solar and wind coming online. The Bangor Daily News reports environmentalists are advocating for removal of the dams, while Brookfield Renewable, which owns the dams, and Sappi North America which needs water from the dam in Benton and Fairfield for paper production, argue for them to remain. Federal regulators in March gave preliminary approval to relicense one of the dams, but is requiring all four to improve fish passages, moves that will allow the dams to operate for several more decades.
Addison Spraying
(Addison) A heads up for residents of Addison. The town this week received notice of aerial spraying to control balsam gall midge and other insects on a property owned by Worcester Holdings. The notice says the spraying will be done by licensed drone operators on a 190 acre parcel west of Route 187 at its intersection with McMann Road. Spraying will take place between now and August 15th, with caution taken especially on windy days, to stay within the required legal buffers for sensitive areas. Residents are cautioned to not enter or allow pets in the sprayed areas until rain following the application has fully dried. Citizens say they’re unhappy about potential effects on groundwater and crops. Concerned residents can call the EPA at 941-4570.
Health
Avoiding Alzheimer’s
(Undated) At the state level, Maine’s seniors rank #13 in overall health. That’s according to a recently released Health Rankings Senior Report from United Health Foundation. Experts say to stay healthy, we should aim to walk 3,800 steps a day – that’s about two miles, get tested for hearing loss and wear hearing aids if needed, get a memory screening each year, beginning at age 65, and be sure to eat right and keep your weight regulated.
(Undated) Even with promising new drugs, scientists have yet to unravel the mystery of Alzheimer’s. But experts at the United Health Foundation say there are things seniors can do to stay their healthiest. To stay healthy, they say aim to walk 3,800 steps a day – that’s about two miles, get tested for hearing loss and wear hearing aids if needed, get a memory screening each year, beginning at age 65, and be sure to eat right and keep your weight regulated.
Loaves and Fishes Receives Grant for Oral Care Supplies
(Ellsworth) Shoppers at Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Ellsworth now have an even better variety of toothpaste, toothbrushes and other oral care supplies from which to choose. The pantry was approved for a $5K grant from the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation. Pantry Manager Dave Schnebeck said with a growing need, funds have been mostly going to combat food insecurity and that the Delta Dental grant has enabled them to offer more oral care supplies as well
SW Harbor-Tremont Ambulance Mini Golf Tournament
(SW Harbor) They scored a hole in one with last year’s event, so the Southwest Harbor-Tremont Ambulance Service is once again this year holding its annual Mini Golf Tournament. The event is planned for Saturday, June 22nd, from 2 until 9 at the Golf of Maine course, 55 Main Street in SW Harbor. Teams of four are encouraged, but individual players are welcome as well. Register ahead and choose a tee time … or just show up to play and have a GREAT time! And be sure to stay for the Battle of the Badges, with area first responders putting for glory, prizes, and island-wide bragging rights, scheduled for 6 p.m.
(SW Harbor) Foooooore! …for a great cause, that is. The Southwest Harbor-Tremont Ambulance Service is once again this year holding its annual Mini Golf Tournament. The event is planned for Saturday, June 22nd, from 2 until 9 at the Golf of Maine course, 55 Main Street in SW Harbor. Teams of four are encouraged, but individual players are welcome as well. Register ahead and choose a tee time … or just show up to play and have a GREAT time! The Battle of the Badges follows, with area first responders putting for glory, prizes, and island-wide bragging rights, is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Sports
The Celtics remain on top in the NBA Finals with last night’s 106-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, putting them up 3 games to none. Game 4 tomorrow night in Boston.
The Red Sox come back from Tuesday night’s loss to beat the Phillies 8-6. That series continues tonight at Fenway.