Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Wells Crash
(Wells) This morning’s rainstorm may have been instrumental in a crash at mile marker 22 on the Turnpike in Wells that resulted in a tractor trailer skidding off the road and blocking both north and southbound lanes. The crash happened shortly before 2:30 a.m. when 73 yo Larry Beaugeard of New Hampshire went off the road to the left, hit the guardrail, and blocked both roadways. Beaugeard was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
(Wells) That early morning rainstorm that woke many with its thunder, lightning and downpours may have been instrumental in a crash just hours ago that resulted in both the north and southbound lanes of the Turnpike to be closed down. The crash happened just before 2:30 this morning at mile marker 22 in Wells. Authorities say 73 yo Larry Beaugeard of New Hampshire went off the road to the left, hit the guardrail, and blocked both roadways with his tractor-trailer. Beaugeard was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All roads are now clear and open as of 7 a.m.
Local Politics
New Flag Design
(Augusta) The design for Maine’s possible new flag was unfurled yesterday. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’s Office received more than 400 entries from folks vying to design a version of the state’s first flag. The winner was the work of Adam Lemire of Gardiner. Voters in November will decide between the design, featuring a simple White Pine and blue North Star on a buff background and Maine’s current state flag.
(Augusta) More than 400 entries were submitted, but the judges chose Adam Lemire of Gardiner’s take on the original state flag to be on the November ballot. Lemire’s design features a White Pine with 16 branches, representing Maine’s 16 counties, and a blue North Star on a Buff background. Voters in November will decide between the design and Maine’s current state flag.
Presidential Ticket in Maine
(Maine) The Presidential ticket in Maine come November will list Donald Trump as the Republican nominee and Kamala Harris as the Democratic representative. Other names will be on the ballot, as well. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is running with Nicole Shanahan as part of the “We the People” Party and Cornel West with running mate Melina Abdullah are running unaffiliated. Libertarian Party nominee Chase Oliver is running with Mike ter Maat – they submitted signatures on Friday. Registered Maine voters can challenge any party’s petitions before 5 p.m. this Thursday, August 8th.
(Maine) Ranked choice voting will likely be used in Maine’s Presidential election this November. Donald Trump qualified to be on the ballot for the Republican Party, and Kamala Harris is now the official Democratic nominee. Two unenrolled candidates had submitted the required number of signatures as of Friday – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Cornel West. The Libertarian Party also submitted signatures for Chase Oliver on Friday.
Poll Workers Sought for November Election
(Augusta) Your vote counts, and so does your participation. Poll workers are essential to running safe, secure, and accurate elections. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and town and city clerks say it’s vital that community members step up and serve as poll workers, especially during busy General Elections. Poll workers receive training from their local clerks, and it’s a fun way to see friends and neighbors during election season. To be eligible, Mainers must be registered voters or pre-registered 16 or 17 year olds. You can serve in your own community or in another town or city in your county. The law requires an equal number of poll workers from each major political party at each site, in order to ensure a fair election. Learn more at maine election workers dot org.
(Augusta) Speaking of voting, the state is always in need of poll workers. Poll workers are essential to running safe, secure, and accurate elections. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows says it’s vital community members step up and fill the role, especially during busy General Elections. You’ll be trained by local clerks, and you can serve in your own community or choose to serve in another town or city in your county. To work the polls on election day, you must be a registered voter or a pre-registered 16 or 17 year old. The law requires an equal number of poll workers from each major political party at each voting site, in order to ensure a fair election. Learn more at maine election workers dot org.
Economy
Coffee Prices Up
(Undated) If you’ve noticed the cost of that morning cup of coffee has been rising along with everything else, blame it on the weather. The Weather CHANNEL reports a lack of rain in key coffee growing countries has caused profits to dry up. That includes high-end Uh-RAAA-buh-kuh (Arabica) beans grown in Brazil and favored by many brewers … and robusta beans grown in Vietnam and often used in instant coffees. Both countries have experienced unusually dry conditions – making those caffeinated necessities more costly.
(Undated) Many of us often grab a cup of coffee to help us get going to work each day. Lately, consumers have had to work even harder to afford that cup of Joe. What’s behind the increase? The Weather Channel says blame – what else? – the weather. They say unusually dry conditions in key coffee growing countries like Brazil and Vietnam have caused the cost of those aromatic beans to jump like a caffeinated rabbit. Brazil is a major producer of Arabica beans, which are favored by many coffee roasters, and Vietnam is known for the robusta variety, most often used in instant coffees.
Education
Recipients of 2024-25 Davis Maine Scholarships Announced
(WashCo) Four Washington County students have been named recipients of Davis Maine Scholarship’s next cohort. The students are chosen through a highly competitive process by Maine Seacoast Mission. The program ensures first-generation, college-bound students living in the Downeast region can complete a four-year undergraduate degree without financial burden at one of three partner colleges. This year’s scholars are Cody Leighton of Milbridge, a Senior at Jonesport-Beals High School, Calais High School Senior Savanah Waycott, Columbia resident Hanna Roeber, a Senior at Narraguagus High School, and Shead High School Senior Jadah Newell of Pleasant Point. Congratulations!
(WashCo) Four first-generation future college students from Washington County will receive full ride scholarships for their undergraduate degrees at one of three partner colleges, through Maine Seacoast Mission’s partnership with Andrew Davis and the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund. Applicants are assessed on academic, personal strengths, school and community engagement, recommendations, essays, and an interview. This year’s recipients are Cody Leighton of Milbridge, a Senior at Jonesport-Beals High School, Calais High School Senior Savanah Waycott, Columbia resident Hanna Roeber, a Senior at Narraguagus High School, and Shead High School Senior Jadah Newell of Pleasant Point. The students will receive personal support, as well, through their final year of high school and all four years of college. Congratulations!
Versant Power Planetarium Shows – August
(Orono) This month, the Versant Power Planetarium’s Friday night programming honors the cultures who first looked up and dreamed about our place in the cosmos. Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, everyone sees something a little bit different in the stars, but we all share One Sky. (((PlanetAug 1 “…and a variety of other options.” :21))) That’s every Friday night in August at 7 p.m. Tickets and more information at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) This month’s children’s programming at the Versant Power Astronomy Center has gone to the dogs. Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, every Sunday at 2 p.m., kids can blast off with Tycho , a dog who doesn’t just howl at the Moon, he finds a way to go there. (((PlanetAug 2 “…and all things moon in general.” :12))) That’s Tycho to the Moon, Sunday afternoons at 2, especially for kids ages 3-8. And, of course, the Planetarium’s children’s matinees continue Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 p.m. each day. Programs change daily. Tickets and information about all the astronomy center’s programming at astro dot umaine dot e d u.
(Orono) This month’s music program at the Versant Power Planetarium is a real dream. Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, the 4 p.m. Sunday music show features the music of David Bowie. (((PlanetAug 3 “…set to some stunning dome visuals.” :07))) That’s Sunday afternoons from 4 to 5 p.m. in the air conditioned Versant Power Planetarium – and, of course, there’s lots going on for kids, as well. (((PlanetAug 4 “…so do check out those matinees, as well.” :16))). Tickets and information at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) August plays host to one of the year’s premier meteor showers, the Perseids, showing off about 150 meteors per hour at peak. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Planetarium tells Star 97.7 when and how to watch for those shooting stars. (((PlanetAug 5 “…with the best time being around 2 a.m. each day.” :22)))
Environment
Pesticide Collection
(Bangor) Maine residents can participate in the Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program. The program aims to safeguard Maine’s natural resources and prevent agricultural pollution by promoting the safe and proper disposal of outdated, unused, or unwanted pesticides. Homeowners and small family-owned farms are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by bringing their unwanted pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, disinfectants, and similar products used in agricultural production or around the home, to collection sites in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta, and Portland. Collection days will be held in October, but you need to pre-register by September 25th through the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.
(Bangor) Here’s your chance to rid your home or small, family-owned farm of outdated, unused, or unwanted pesticides. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry is partnering with other organizations for the Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program. The program aims to safeguard Maine’s natural resources and prevent agricultural pollution by promoting the safe and proper disposal of those contaminants. Collections will take place in October in Bangor, Augusta, Presque Isle and Portland, but you need to pre-register by September 25th through MDACF. There will be no same-day drop-offs.
Infrastructure
Camden Osprey Cause Power Outage
(Camden) It’s not uncommon for osprey to build their nests atop power poles. Unfortunately, such construction can lead to power outages. Such was the case Sunday, when ospreys were building a new nest near a CMP substation. Central Maine Power said most of Camden, a few streets in Rockport, and 450 customers in Hope lost power during a hard rain. Officials told the Pen Bay Pilot the outage was the result of sticks dropped by the birds onto the pole and attached electrical equipment. They say when the sticks are waterlogged, they easily conduct electricity and can lead to fire, electrocution of the birds … and power outages. The same thing happened in the same area a little over a year ago – that power outage lasted several hours. Residents on Sunday were back online in about 90 minutes.
(Camden) A pair of osprey apparently thought Sunday’s drenching rain was for the birds … or maybe not. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the pair was building a nest near a CMP substation in Camden during a downpour, causing a power outage that affected most of that town, a few streets in Rockport, and 450 customers in the town of Hope. Officials say the outage was the result of sticks dropped by the birds onto the pole and attached electrical equipment. They say when the sticks are waterlogged, they easily conduct electricity and can lead to fire, electrocution of the birds, and … power outages. The same thing happened in the same area a little over a year ago – that power outage lasted several hours. Residents on Sunday were back online in about 90 minutes.
Sports
The Red Sox beat the Royals in KC last night 9-5. Game two of that series tonight at Kauffman Stadium.
Team USA now with 78 medals in the Olympic Games in paris – 20 gold, 30 silver, and 28 bronze. They hope to exceed their haul from Tokyo in 2021 where they brought home a total of 113 medals. The Games run through this Sunday. The United States has broken through the 100-medal mark at every Olympic Games since Athens in 2004.