Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Hikers Who Violated Trail Closure Could Face Jail Time
(ANP) Park officials say the three hikers photographed violating a trail closure at Acadia National Park last month could face up to six months in jail. The Bangor Daily News reports 22 yo Levi Brown of South Portland, and 20 yo Cooper Boucher and 19 yo Jillian McLellan, both of Saco, are each charged with a federal violation of the trail closure, punishable by jail time and a $5,000 fine, according to park spokesperson Amanda Pollock. The three were seen climbing the Precipice Trail, which is clearly marked closed in order to protect nesting peregrine falcons and their chicks.
(ANP) The hike was a steep one – the consequences could be even steeper. Acadia National Park officials have identified the three hikers who were photographed climbing the Precipice Trail in July, despite signs and barriers that clearly indicate the trail is closed in order to safeguard nesting peregrine falcons and their chicks this time of year. Park Spokesperson Amanda Pollock told the Bangor Daily News, 22 yo Levi Brown of South Portland, and 20 yo Cooper Boucher and 19 yo Jillian McLellan, both of Saco, are each charged with a federal violation of the trail closure, punishable by 6 months’ jail time and fines of $5,000 each.
Attorney General Posts Guidance Regarding Three Day Waiting Period
(Augusta) Beginning Friday, a new law in Maine mandates a three-day waiting period for firearm purchases. The Department of Public Safety and the Maine Attorney General’s office are working together to provide guidance on the new law. Resources are available on the Department of Public Safety website under the Safe Home Tab and through a link posted on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(Augusta) A new law regarding the purchase of firearms in Maine goes into effect this Friday, August 9th. The Department of Public Safety and the Maine Attorney General’s office are working together to provide guidance on the new law, which requires a three-day waiting period. Resources are available on the Department of Public Safety website under the Safe Home Tab and through a link posted on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Large Shark Spotted Near Swans Island
(Swans Island) Probably a good idea to avoid the waters around Swans Island. FoxBangor reporting a large shark was sighted in Toothacher Cove on Monday. An island resident, Craig Camfield, took video from the shore, showing some young ladies trying to coax the shark out of the bay area so it wouldn’t be stranded at low tide. Their boat was a 22-footer, and the shark appears to be even larger. The boaters were able to lead the shark to safer waters, but not until after a few harrowing moments when the beast swam under their comparatively small boat. I’ve shared the video on my FB page if you care to have a look.
(Swans Island) Captured on video – residents of Swans Island reported sighting a large shark swimming in Toothacher Cove on Monday. Resident Craig Camfield captured video from the shore, showing a pair of boaters attempting to coax the shark into deeper waters so that it didn’t get stranded as the tide receded. FoxBangor reports the boat was a 22 footer; and you can see in the video the shark could have been a worthy competitor, appearing even larger. The boat’s occupants threw bait in the water and successfully lured the beast back out to sea. I’ve shared the video on my FB page – pretty riveting stuff.
Local Politics
Buttigieg Visits Maine
(Freeport) US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is in Maine again today. It’s the 50th state the Secretary has visited on a tour to highlight what it says are ways the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda is strengthening supply chains, supporting rural and tribal communities, and making it easier for people to get where they need to go. Buttigieg spent the day in Freeport Tuesday and this morning plans to tour the Portland International Marine Terminal before closing out this leg of his “summer of construction” tour in East Deering, where he’ll hold a news conference. He’s expected to highlight the improvements in the state’s infrastructure made possible through Investing in America investments and grants.
(Freeport) Much needed bridge replacements over I-295, the modernization of operations to improve the efficiency of goods moving through the Portland International Marine Terminal, and a grant to transform East Deering’s industrial waterfront into an innovation hub. Just some of the ways US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg says the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda is strengthening supply chains, supporting rural and tribal communities, and making it easier for people to get where they need to go. Buttigieg is visiting Maine this week as part of a 50-state “summer of construction” tour. He’ll close out his visit today with a stop in Portland and a news conference in East Deering, where he’s expected to highlight improvements made possible through Investing in America investments and grants.
Pharmaceutical Drug Advertising
(Washington, DC) Should pharmaceutical drug companies be allowed to advertise? Senator Angus King says at the very least, there’s too much of it by big pharma, resulting in rising costs to consumers. King has introduced the Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act that would prohibit direct-to-consumer advertising of a new drug in the first three years after receiving FDA approval. Under the proposed legislation, the FDA could waive the third year if the drug is proven to be beneficial to public health; conversely, the prohibition could be extended if the drug has significant adverse health effects.
(Washington, DC) American advertisers are projected to spend more than a billion dollars during the 2024 Paris Olympics – a significant part of that to promote pharmaceutical drugs. Senator Angus King has introduced legislation to prohibit such pharmaceutical drug advertising. King says direct-to-consumer advertising of the drugs exacerbates the rising cost to Americans. The Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act would prohibit direct-to-consumer advertising of a new drug in the first three years after receiving FDA approval. Under the proposed legislation, the FDA could waive the third year if the drug is proven to be beneficial to public health; conversely, the prohibition could be extended if the drug has significant adverse health effects.
Economy
Ellsworth Welcomes “On the Horizon” Mobile Bakery
(Ellsworth) Love, therapy, and a sweet new career – Hailee Carter returned to Ellsworth a few years ago, after being injured while serving in the Army. She also returned to her love of baking. MaineBiz reports at first, Hailee would bring her baked sweets in to her desk job – they were such a hit, she decided to “hit” the road with her own bakery. It didn’t take long for her to outgrow a space at her home, but she didn’t have the capital to expand. So Hailee followed her dream, sold her house and truck, and purchased a cargo van and trailer. Today, you’ll find Hailee’s On the Horizon bakery parked at Home Depot or at Coastal Interior Designs near Main and Water Streets by 7 a.m. or even earlier, and she’s expanded to even more food offerings, often serving a hundred or more customers a day. If you happen to stop by, you’ll see why. Delicious.
(Ellsworth) Something sweet is “on the horizon” in Ellsworth. MaineBiz reports after an injury suffered while serving in the Army, a young Hailee Carter returned home to Ellsworth … and to a love of baking she credits to her grandmother. Baking wasn’t just a love, Hailee said it was therapy. She started taking her baked goods to colleagues at her desk job, then decided to pursue her passion full time. Today, Hailee’s On the Horizon mobile bakery is open at 7 a.m. or earlier, six days a week, serving a hundred or more customers a day. Find her at Home Depot or Main and Water Streets, depending on the morning – and check her out on FB. If you stop in and try her delicious croissants, you’re guaranteed to come back.
Health
Penobscot Towns Get Surprise Bills for Ambulance Service
(Eddington) Seven small towns received a shock this week when Northern Light Health served them with bills for their long-standing ambulance service unless they come up with tens of thousands of dollars on short notice. The Bangor Daily News reports when current contracts expire, Eddington, Etna, Dedham, Dixmont, Glenburn, Kenduskeag, and Newburgh must begin paying annually for services. The notices, for some, came just days after they completed their budgets for the next fiscal year. The fees are based on per capita charges of $17 per person – Dedham will pay $30K as an example – and come as ambulance services continue to struggle for reimbursements from insurance companies. It’s worth noting that while EMS providers were the heroes that carried towns through the pandemic, few benefitted from their towns’ federal ARPA funds.
(Eddington) Although EMS providers were the heroes that carried villages and rural areas through the pandemic, few benefitted from their towns’ ARPA funds … and all struggle with inadequate reimbursements from insurance companies. It’s one reason this week seven small towns received notices from Northern Light Health, billing them for long-standing ambulance service when current contracts expire, while the Bangor Daily News reports insurance and patients also continue paying the healthcare giant. Dedham, for example, must come up with $30K. Many of the towns say they understand the change, but are upset about the timing – Dedham just finished finalizing its budget for the next fiscal year. Other towns impacted include Eddington, Etna, Dixmont, Glenburn, Kenduskeag, and Newburgh.
Rural Healthcare Grant
(Washington, DC) Maine’s rural healthcare got a shot in the arm this week. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced Maine DHHS is being awarded more than $500,000 to support Critical Access Hospitals in improving quality and establishing or expanding rural health emergency medical services. Critical Access Hospitals are designations given to eligible rural hospitals, in response to over 400 rural hospital closures during the 1980s and 90s. Maine has 16 CAH’s across the state, including Blue Hill Memorial, Calais Regional, DECH in Machias, MDI and Waldo County General Hospitals.
(Washington, DC) Blue Hill Memorial, Calais Regional, DECH in Machias, MDI and Waldo County General Hospitals. Those are among Maine’s 16 Critical Access Hospitals, the designation given to eligible rural hospitals in response to more than 400 rural hospital closures in the 1980’s and 90’s. On Tuesday, Senators Angus King and Susan Collins announced Maine DHHS is being awarded more than $500,000 to support the state’s Critical Access Hospitals. Moneys will help improve quality and establish or expand rural health emergency medical services.
Red Cross Facing Critical Shortage
(KFF) It’s a real emergency. The American Red Cross said its national blood inventory has dropped by more than 25% since July 1st, prompting the organization to declare an Emergency Blood Shortage. The shortage is in part blamed on rolling heat waves and record temperatures that have impacted more than 100 drives in the last month in every state where the Red Cross collects blood, according to ABC News. You never know when you or a loved one might find yourself in need. Find a drive near you at red cross blood dot org.
(KFF) Rolling heat waves and record temperatures have led to yet another critical situation. ABC News reports the American Red Cross has declared an Emergency Blood Shortage after an inventory showed national blood inventory has dropped by more than 25% since July 1st. Stifling temperatures have impacted more than 100 drives in the last month in every state where the Red Cross collects blood. Blood has a shelf life of just around 40 days, so the need is ongoing – and urgent – and never more so than now. Would supplies be available if you or a loved one found yourself in need? Find a drive near you at red cross blood dot org.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Blue Hill Fair Happenings
(Blue Hill) The Blue Hill Fair will be here before you know it! And while the Paris Olympics’ closing ceremony is this Sunday, this year, the Blue Hill Fair is debuting the 2024 Agriculture Olympics! On Friday, August 30th, watch livestock exhibitors compete in Hay Bale Tossing, Tire Flipping, Milk Bottle Filling, the Wheelbarrow Obstacle Course and more! And don’t forget, ladies, to start practicing for the Women’s Skillet Toss on Sunday, September 1st! Get a first look at other entertainment and events on the Blue Hill Fair FB page.
(Blue Hill) We’re just about three weeks away from everybody’s favorite Blue Hill Fair. This year, the Fair is following up the 2024 Paris Olympics with the debut of the 2024 Agriculture Olympics! On Friday, August 30th, watch livestock exhibitors compete in Hay Bale Tossing, Tire Flipping, Milk Bottle Filling, the Wheelbarrow Obstacle Course and more! And ladies, don’t forget to start practicing NOW for the Women’s Skillet Toss on Sunday, September 1st! Get a first look at other entertainment and events on the Blue Hill Fair FB page.
Sports
The Red Sox got another win last night against the Royals in Kansas City. Boston with a 6-5 victory. Teams meet up one more time tonight to wrap up that series.
The Patriots kick off the NFL Preseason tomorrow night at Gillette Stadium. New England up against the Carolina Panthers
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Team USA up to 86 medals – 24 gold, and 31 each for silver and bronze.