Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
U.S. Army Releases Findings on Lewiston Shooter
(Lewiston) The U.S. Army on Tuesday released a report on how Robert Card’s mental decline was documented and treated before the October 2023 shooting. Medical staff reportedly observed Card had homicidal ideations and a hit list and recommended his weapons be taken from him. The report said Card’s chain of command and the medical staff treating him last July failed to adequately communicate concerns to all parties regarding those findings. It also said Card did receive in-patient care for 19 days last summer at a facility known as Four Winds, and Army medical staff placed him on a 90 day plan that should have restricted access to military-issued weapons. According to the report, there are discrepancies about Card’s release from Four Winds, follow through from his chain of command, and their understanding of privacy issues surrounding HIPAA policies.
(Lewiston) A series of alleged missteps, miscommunications, and missed follow-through. There’s plenty of blame to go around in a report released Tuesday by the U.S. Army. The report details how Lewiston shooter Robert Card’s mental decline was documented and treated before that fateful day last October. According to the report, Card received treatment at a facility known as Four Winds last summer, but there are questions about how and why he was released, allegedly without adequate follow-through by his chain of command. Card was released to a soldier friend from his unit and deemed “a very low risk.” The report determined Card was “improperly released.” The investigator also placed blame on deputies from the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s office for not “fully executing their health and welfare check on …Card in September 2023.” Three Army Reserve Officers were disciplined for dereliction of duty in connection with the shooting.
Six Fire Departments to Receive Federal Grants
(Belfast) The brave first responders who fight fires often have to fight for funding as well. Thanks to Senator Susan Collins and others, six Maine fire departments have been awarded a total of close to a million, one hundred thirty-three thousand dollars in federal grants. The funding will be used to upgrade critical equipment, personal protective gear, and support services for departments in Kennebunk, Belfast, Auburn, Wesley, Portland and Waterville. Belfast will use its share to purchase new firefighter breathing apparatus, RIT Packs, and power lift systems.
(Belfast) The Belfast Fire and Ambulance Department will use its nearly $311K share of more than a million dollars in grant funding secured for firefighter safety to equip members with new firefighter breathing apparatus, RIT Packs and power lift systems. Senator Susan Collins announced the funding this week that departments will use to upgrade critical equipment, personal protective gear, and support services. Other towns receiving funding for firefighter safety include Auburn, Kennebunk, Wesley, Portland and Waterville.
Great Pond Deaths Ruled a Murder-Suicide
(Great Pond) The deaths of two people whose bodies were found in a burned out residence in Great Pond on May 20th have been ruled a murder-suicide. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, the Aurora Fire Department responded to the fire on Old Dam Way about 5 a.m. that morning and discovered the bodies, which were taken for autopsies. Investigators determined the death of 35 yo Marie Robbins, who lived at the residence, was a homicide, although a cause of death remains undetermined. 38 yo Ryan Devisme (Duh-VIMM) of Aurora died from the toxic effects of carbon monoxide. Devisme’s body had a gunshot wound, and the manner of death was determined to be suicide. An investigation determined Devisme set the house on fire before shooting himself. Sources say Robbins and Devisme had been in a former relationship.
(Great Pond) The deaths in May of two people whose bodies were found in a burned out house in Great Pond have been ruled a murder-suicide, according to the medical examiner. The Aurora Fire Department responded to the blaze at a residence on Old Dam Way about 5 a.m. on May 20th and discovered the bodies, which were then taken for autopsies. Investigators say 35 yo Marie Robbins, who lived at the residence, died by homicide, although a cause of death remains undetermined. 38 yo Ryan Devisme (Duh-VIMM) of Aurora died from the toxic effects of carbon monoxide. Devisme’s body had a gunshot wound, and the manner of death was determined to be suicide. An investigation found Devisme set the house on fire before shooting himself. Sources say Robbins and Devisme had been in a former relationship.
Local Politics
City of Ellsworth Closures
(Ellsworth) A heads up for Ellsworth area residents. City Hall and the Transfer Station will be closed on Friday, August 2nd, for a full day of employee training and an annual appreciation event. The Ellsworth Public Library will be closed during morning hours that day, as well, opening to the public at 1 p.m. The City says it’s part of an ongoing commitment to enhancing the skills … and morale of their dedicated staff so that they can continue providing the highest level of service to the community. Also, while we’re on the subject, the Mount Desert Town Office will be closed next Tuesday, July 30th, so clerks can attend Presidential Election training.
(Ellsworth) New City Manager Charlie Pierce and city department heads want Ellsworth city employees to know they’re valued; and they’re going beyond words to demonstrate that. City Hall and the Transfer Station will be closed on Friday, August 2nd, for a full day of employee training and an annual appreciation event. The Ellsworth Public Library will be closed during morning hours that day, as well, opening to the public at 1 p.m. The City says it’s part of an ongoing commitment to enhancing the skills … and morale of their dedicated staff so that they can continue providing the highest level of service to the community. Also, while we’re talking schedules, the Mount Desert Town Office will be closed next Tuesday, July 30th, so clerks can attend Presidential Election training.
Education
DCP Awarded Change of Scope for Early Childhood Programs
(Ellsworth) You can’t overemphasize the value of early childhood education, and the State of Maine and the Federal Government recently backed that belief by implementing programs that will raise wages for early childhood educators. Downeast Community Partners is one organization that will benefit from such legislation. DCP applied for and has been granted a change of scope from the federal office of Head Start. The change will mean being able to raise the wages of staff by focusing programming in fewer locations. Salaries have been a roadblock to hiring enough staff in the past. DCP Director of Early Childhood Programs Naomi McIsaac tells Star 97.7 she’s hopeful the new incentives will help the organization attract additional qualified teachers.
(Ellsworth) Downeast Community Partners is hiring for lead, assistant, and substitute teachers for their Early Childhood programs in Ellsworth, Deer Isle and Bucksport. And they’re offering higher wages, thanks to a change of scope granted from the federal office of Head Start. The change means DCP can raise the wages of staff by focusing programming in fewer locations. Salaries have been a roadblock to hiring enough staff in the past. DCP Director of Early Childhood Programs Naomi McIsaac tells Star 97.7 she’s hopeful the new incentives will help the organization attract additional qualified teachers.
Mano e Mano Supports Blueberry Harvest Workers
(Milbridge) Mano e Mano in Milbridge’s summer program coordinators have been busy planning the Blueberry Harvest School. The school supports youth ages 3 to 15 throughout Maine during summer break, welcoming them to the three-week program. This year’s school will be held July 29th through August 16th at Cherryfield Elementary School. They’re also still collecting donations of clothing, shoes, and other essential items for workers and families arriving for the 2024 Wild Blueberry Harvest. Learn more and check out their wish list at mano maine dot org.
(Milbridge) Maine is famous for its wild blueberries. But without migrant workers, the harvests wouldn’t be nearly as bountiful. Mano e Mano in Milbridge is dedicated to serving those hard workers. Summer program coordinators have been busy for weeks planning the Blueberry Harvest School. The school supports youth ages 3 to 15 throughout Maine during summer break, welcoming them to the three-week program. This year’s school will be held July 29th through August 16th at Cherryfield Elementary School. They’re also still collecting donations of clothing, shoes, and other essential items for workers and families arriving for the 2024 Wild Blueberry Harvest. Learn more and check out their wish list at mano maine dot org.
Maine Seacoast Mission Davis Maine Scholars
(Cherryfield) Four local students have been selected as Maine Seacoast Mission’s Class of 2028 Davis Maine Scholars. Congratulations to Calais High School graduate Cadence Braughton, Machias Memorial High School graduate MacKenzie Schors, Sumner High graduate Riley Crowley from Prospect Harbor, and Brisa Ortiz Garcia, a Narraguagus grad from Milbridge. The four will receive full, four-year scholarships. To see where they plan to study and what their fields will be, check out our Star 97.7 FB page.
Environment
Lamoine Becoming a Butterfly-Friendly Haven
(Lamoine) Word among those monarchs is if you’re looking for a friendly, welcoming town, look no further than Lamoine. The village signed onto the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge in 2023, and a team of volunteers went to work establishing pollinator gardens at Town Hall and the school, and planting milkweed at the transfer station. The Conservation Commission reports the butterfly population is growing, thriving and producing a healthy cohort of caterpillars in the gardens. They say if you missed out on previous seed giveaways and sales, keep your eye on the Town of Lamoine FB page so you can flutter on down and take advantage of the next round.
Health
Promising Progress on Lyme Vaccine
(KFF) A Pfizer-led effort to develop the first new Lyme disease vaccine in more than two decades last week passed a key milestone, putting the drug on a timeline to potentially hit the market in 2026, pending favorable trials. Axios reports climate change is driving the proliferation of ticks and transforming Lyme from a summertime nuisance into the most common vector-borne illness in the Northern Hemisphere. An estimated 476,000 people are affected by Lyme each year.
(KFF) If trials are favorable, we could see a new Lyme disease vaccine in 2026. Axios reports the Pfizer-led research passed a key milestone last week. It would be the first new drug to confront the disease in more than 20 years. Scientists say climate change is driving the proliferation of ticks and transforming Lyme from a summertime nuisance into the most common vector-borne illness in the Northern Hemisphere. An estimated 476,000 people are affected by Lyme annually.
Human Interest
Treworgy Corn Maze Opens
(Levant) It’s always an Ah-MAZE-ing time of year when Treworgy Orchards in Levant opens their corn maze! The 2024 maze opened Saturday and features Peter Rabbit, according to Treworgy’s FB page. You can help Peter collect a few things he lost in Mr. McGregor’s Garden earlier as you wander through this year’s interactive maze. Find each station to complete the beloved English story, or answer trivia questions about author Beatrix Potter. And as always, once you find your way out, you’ll want to hop back up to the ice cream shop for your reward.
(Levant) It’s blueberry picking season at Treworgy Orchards in Levant. As a bonus, this year’s corn maze is now open! The 2024 maze features Peter Rabbit, according to Treworgy’s FB page. You can help Peter collect a few things he lost earlier in Mr. McGregor’s Garden as you wander through this year’s interactive maze. Find each station to complete the beloved English story or answer trivia questions about author Beatrix Potter. And as always, once you find your way out, you’ll want to hop back up to the ice cream shop for your reward.
Sports
The Red Sox finally put one in the win column, holding the Rockies scoreless last night 6-0. Teams on the field one more time this afternoon before Boston heads back home for a weekend series against the Yankees at Fenway.