Crime/Public Safety/Drugs Independent Commission on Lewiston Shooting Releases Final Report (Lewiston/AP)  Missed opportunities, warning signs ignored or not taken seriously, communication failures within the Army’s chain of command.  Those are some of the findings of a 215 page report released yesterday by the Independent Commission on the Lewiston Shooting.  The seven-member commission was formed at […]

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Local News 08/21/24

Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Independent Commission on Lewiston Shooting Releases Final Report

(Lewiston/AP)  Missed opportunities, warning signs ignored or not taken seriously, communication failures within the Army’s chain of command.  Those are some of the findings of a 215 page report released yesterday by the Independent Commission on the Lewiston Shooting.  The seven-member commission was formed at the request of Governor Janet Mills and Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey just days after the October 25 massacre that left 18 dead and more than a dozen others wounded.  The report concludes both the Army Reserves and local law enforcement failed to act on opportunities to intervene in shooter Robert Card’s downward spiraling psyche in the months before the unthinkable, in spite of warnings from his family and a best friend that Card was becoming increasingly paranoid and could snap and carry out a mass shooting.

(Augusta)  Meanwhile, the Department of Public Safety issued a statement saying it and the Maine State Police were pleased to fully cooperate with the Independent Commission throughout its thorough review.  DPS thanked the Commission for its work and professionalism, adding they would carefully review the report and consider its recommendation for the Maine State Police as they evaluate potential next steps to improve response efforts in the future.

(Lewiston/AP)  Hindsight is 20/20, and the Independent Commission on the Lewiston Shooting had that advantage as they spent the last nine months combing through reports, listening to testimony, and interviewing witnesses to try and determine the truth about the events that led up to the October 25th tragedy in Lewiston.  The final report, a 215-page document, was released Tuesday during a news conference. The seven-member commission concluded both the Army Reserves and local police missed opportunities to intervene in shooter Robert Card’s psychiatric crisis.  The commission found the most damning dismissal came in September when a fellow reservist texted an Army supervisor saying he believed Card was going to snap and do a mass shooting.

(Augusta)  Following the release of the Commission’s report on Tuesday, Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey, both of whom ordered the investigation, issued statements praising the Commission for its efforts and calling on Maine people to remember and honor those directly impacted by the tragedy.  Governor Mills cited several changes put into place in the weeks and months following the massacre, including extending criminal background checks to advertised private sales, establishing an office of violence prevention at the Maine CDC, providing funding to hire more state troopers, funding to support a surge in mental health assessments, and supporting mobile crisis teams.

Pittston Shooting

(Pittston)  Scary moments for a Pittston homeowner Monday night when an intruder reportedly kicked in the door of his Palmer Road residence.  Public Safety Officer Lt. Aaron Turcotte reports to Star 97.7, Maine State Police received a 9-1-1 call shortly before 9 p.m. reporting the incident, with the homeowner saying he had shot the intruder, who was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland and is expected to live.  An investigation into the incident is underway – authorities say there is no danger to the public.

(Pittston)  A Pittston homeowner said he was forced to shoot an intruder who kicked down his door Monday night.  Public Safety Officer Lt. Aaron Turcotte tells Star 97.7 News, Maine State Police received a 9-1-1 call shortly before 9 p.m. reporting the incident.  Troopers responded to the Palmer Road residence and secured the scene.  The man who was shot was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland where he is being treated and is expected to survive.  An investigation into the incident is underway.  Authorities say they’ll release more details as they become available.

Local Politics

West to Be on Maine Presidential Ballot

(Augusta)  Cornel West’s name will appear on the November ballot in Maine as a Presidential candidate.  Secretary of State Shenna Bellows had received two challenges to West’s nomination alleging fraud by a circulator of West’s petition.  While Bellows concluded some signatures were gathered fraudulently, the Secretary ruled that after careful review there were a sufficient number of valid signatures submitted to qualify West for the ballot.

(Augusta)  Voters in November will see Cornel West’s name on the ballot here in Maine, along with other contenders vying to be President of the United States.  Secretary of State Shenna Bellows last month received two challenges to West’s candidacy, alleging fraud by a circulator of West’s petition and errors by local and state election officials in certification of the signatures.  While Bellows concluded some signatures were gathered fraudulently, the Secretary ruled that after careful review there were a sufficient number of valid signatures submitted to qualify West for the ballot.

Education

University of Maine Studies Feasibility of Establishing State’s First Medical School

(Augusta)  Maine could one day have its first medical school.  The University of Maine System on Tuesday said it will partner with the nation’s leading medical education consultant, Tripp Umbach, to study the feasibility of starting such an institution.  The study comes primarily in response to a critical shortage of physicians, particularly in rural Maine, and is focused on establishing a school in Penobscot County.  UMaine officials hope a medical school might spark interest in current physicians moving here, while looking toward building a sustainable physician workforce for the future.  The feasibility study and its recommendations are due to the Maine Legislature in November 2025.

(Augusta)  Maine is facing a critical shortage of physicians, especially in rural areas.  And many doctors currently practicing across the state are aging along with Maine’s aging population.  In response, the Maine Legislature and Governor Janet Mills last year provided funding for the University of Maine System to undertake a study to examine the feasibility of establishing the state’s first public medical school, likely in Penobscot County.  UMaine officials said Tuesday they hope to spark interest in current physicians moving here, while looking toward building a sustainable physician workforce for the future.  The feasibility study and its recommendations are due to the Maine Legislature in November 2025.

Infrastructure

Bass Harbor Head Light Entrance to Close

(ANP)  The entrance road to Bass Harbor Head Light will close this evening at sunset for what is expected to be about a day’s length of repairs to the shoulder of the entrance road.  Access will be off limits to walkers, cars, and all traffic.  The National Park Service reports the road is expected to reopen by 5 p.m. on Thursday.

(ANP)  Hopefully you have a “Plan B” if you hoped to visit the Bass Harbor Head Light this evening or on Thursday.  The National Park Service reports Lighthouse Road, by which the light is accessed, will close at sunset this evening and remain closed to walkers, cars, and all other traffic until approximately 5 p.m. on Thursday.  Crews will be working on repairs to the shoulder of the entrance road.  They ask that you plan accordingly.

Emergency Power Outage

(Whitneyville)  Some folks in Northfield and Whitneyville were without power for about an hour Tuesday afternoon.  Versant crews had to perform emergency repairs to the electrical system, which affected customers along Route 192 in particular.  Communications Specialist Carolina Rave tells Star 97.7, Versant had been troubleshooting power quality issues in the area over the last several weeks, and were able to isolate the hitch and install a new transformer, which they are hoping will alleviate the problem.

(Whitneyville)  Versant crews had to perform emergency repairs yesterday to the electrical system affecting Whitneyville and Northfield – especially homes along Route 192.  The repair work began around Noon and was completed in just over an hour.  Communications Specialist Carolina Rave tells Star 97.7, Versant had been troubleshooting power quality issues in the area over the last several weeks, and were able to isolate the glitch  and install a new transformer, which they are hoping will take care of the matter.

Technology

Fees for Farmland

(Augusta)  Developers of wind and solar projects may soon find themselves facing “fees for farmland” use.  The Portland Press Herald reports a state law enacted last year requires such developers to pay into a fund to offset the environmental impacts of the project or conserve farmland elsewhere in the state.  Lawmakers said the cost was meant to protect agriculture while also advancing the state’s clean energy goals.  Now the state must decide on the amount charged.  Some green energy proponents question why solar and wind projects are charged, while others such as housing and other business developments are not.  A public comment period with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry ends August 29th for those who may wish to weigh in.

(Augusta)  A law enacted last year and designed to balance the state’s agricultural industry with its clean energy goals still has some tweaking to do.  The law requires developers of wind and solar projects to pay “fees for farmland” use – contributing to a fund to offset the environmental impacts of the project or conserve farmland elsewhere in the state.  Some green energy developers say it’s inequitable that they must pay fees while others, such as housing and business developments, do not.  The Portland Press Herald reports the state must also now decide on how much to charge.  A public comment period with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry ends August 29th for those who may wish to weigh in.

Human Interest/Entertainment

Ellsworth Library Switching to Fall Hours

(Ellsworth)  Here’s another sign of Fall, but don’t “read” too much into it – there’s still plenty of summer weather left.  But with school resuming, the Ellsworth Public Library is switching back to Fall hours, beginning today.  While the library had been staying open an additional hour on Wednesday nights, it will once again close at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.  For hours on other days, visit ellsworth library dot net.

(Ellsworth)  The return to school signals a return to regular hours at the Ellsworth Public Library.   While the library had been staying open an additional hour on Wednesday nights, beginning this evening, they’ll once again close at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.  For hours on other days, visit ellsworth library dot net.

Blue Supermoon Lights up Morning Sky

(Undated)  If you were up late last night or early this morning and the sky was clear, you may have been treated to the sight of a rare blue supermoon.  It was the first of the year’s four consecutive supermoons, but was even more special because it was also a seasonal blue moon – the third full moon in a season of four, instead of the typical three.  A supermoon refers to a moment when the full moon is closest to the earth in its orbital path.  A blue moon is a second full moon in a month or one of four full moons in a season, instead of the typical three.  Super moons, full moons and blue moons occur on their own, but rarely appear simultaneously.  Astronomers say the next blue super moon is not likely to happen until January 2037.

(Undated)  Super moons, blue moons, and full moons.  Astronomers say it’s not especially unusual, even normal, for those to appear on their own, but they only appear simultaneously, well…once in a blue super moon.  A super moon refers to the moment the full moon is closest to the earth in its orbital path.  A blue moon is a second full moon in a month.  And a super blue moon occurs when there are four full moons in a single season, instead of the usual three.  The rare event was clouded out most of its shining here, which was Sunday through this morning.  But if the skies cleared for you last night or early this morning, you may have witnessed an event scientists say won’t happen again for another 12 ½ years – in January 2037.

Sports

Monday night the Red Sox lost by a run; last night they won by a run, beating the Astros in Houston 6-5.  Final game of that series this afternoon at 2:10.