Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Babb’s Bridge Crash
(Gorham/Windham) Weight limit signs were posted, but that didn’t stop the driver of a Driveway Guys dump truck loaded with crushed gravel from attempting to cross Babb’s Bridge in Gorham Friday. The truck, which carried several times the 3-ton weight limit, only made it to the first panel of the bridge deck before completely falling through, landing upside down in the Presumpscot River. The driver, 37 yo Joshua Polewarzyk of Limington, sustained only minor injuries. The one-lane structure between Gorham and Windham was Maine’s oldest covered bridge, built in 1840 and rebuilt in 1973 after it was burned by vandals. MDOT officials say the bridge will likely remain closed for several months while being repaired.
(Gorham/Windham) A driver is lucky to be alive after the dump truck he was driving fell through the floor of Maine’s oldest covered bridge on Friday. MDOT officials tell Star 97.7, 37 yo Joshua Polewarzyk of Limington was attempting to cross the bridge from Gorham to Windham when his vehicle completely fell through the bridge deck, landing upside down in the Presumpscot River. Polewarzyk was able to escape without serious injury. The bridge was not so fortunate and will likely be shut down for months while it’s being repaired. Authorities say the truck was carrying a load of crushed gravel that weighed several times the posted 3-ton limit.
Maine Non-profit Calling on DHHS to Investigate Child Endangerment
(Machias) A Maine nonprofit looking to prevent child abuse and child deaths in Maine is calling on the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate reports of children living in danger in Washington County. WABI-TV reports Walk A Mile in Their Shoes claims they’ve received what they describe as desperate pleas from people in Washington County regarding the situation. We spoke with a witness who told us the children were removed by DHHS at one point but then put back and that the children are living in “absolute filth and garbage”. D-H-H-S says the safety and welfare of Maine children is their highest priority, and they take seriously any and all allegations of child maltreatment.
(Machias) A Maine nonprofit says the Department of Health and Human Services is not doing enough when it comes to reports of children living in danger in Washington County. WABI-TV reports the group “Walk A Mile in Their Shoes” is calling on DHHS to investigate after they say they’ve received desperate pleas from people in Washington County about the case or cases and that the Office of Child and Family Services is failing to protect children currently living in unsafe home environments. One witness reports to Star 97.7, the children in one case were removed from the situation by DHHS and then placed back after conditions improved, but that the children are currently living in “absolute filth and garbage”. D-H-H-S says the safety and welfare of Maine children is their highest priority, and they take seriously any and all allegations of child maltreatment.
Local Politics
Ballot Issues
(Augusta) With Robert Kennedy, Jr. withdrawing from the Presidential race, Star 97.7 reached out to the Secretary of State’s office to find out what that means here in Maine. While the ballots have not yet been printed, we’re told any candidate wishing to withdraw from the ballot in Maine would have to submit a written, signed request directly to the Secretary of State’s office by 5 p.m. on August 27th. If the candidate fails to do so, his or her name would remain on the ballot, but the Secretary would then have to prepare and distribute a notice to local election officials, informing voters that the candidate had withdrawn and that a vote for the candidate would no longer be counted. The notice would also then have to be distributed with all absentee ballots requested after the notice was received.
(Augusta) Robert Kennedy, Jr.’s name was scheduled to appear on the November ballot in Maine as a Presidential candidate. Now that he has withdrawn, we reached out to Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’s office to see how that would affect Maine’s ballot. We’re told while the ballots have not yet been printed, any candidate wishing to withdraw from the ballot in Maine would have to submit a written, signed request directly to the Secretary of State’s office by 5 p.m. on August 27th. If the candidate fails to do so, his or her name would remain on the ballot, but the Secretary would then have to prepare and distribute a notice to local election officials, informing voters that the candidate had withdrawn and that a vote for the candidate would no longer be counted. The notice would also then have to be distributed with all absentee ballots requested after the notice was received.
City of Ellsworth Offering Workshops on Retail Recreational Use Marijuana Shops
(Ellsworth) On Friday, we told you about a referendum item on the November ballot in Ellsworth that will ask voters to decide on whether or not to allow retail recreational marijuana stores in the city. The City is offering a series of informational workshops on the issue, the first being held this Wednesday and focusing on its impact on Emergency Services. The workshop will be led by members of the Ellsworth Police and Fire Departments and begin at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. Future workshops will address the issues of land use, zoning, and code enforcement on September 12th; the election process and ballot information on the 17th, and a final extra listening session on October 10th.
(Ellsworth) As we reported Friday, Ellsworth voters this fall will be asked to weigh in on whether or not to allow retail recreational marijuana stores in the city. The City knows people will have lots of questions, so they’ve scheduled a series of informational meetings to help the public make an informed decision come November. The first workshop is August 28th, and will focus on the impact on Emergency Services. Wednesday’s session will be led by members of the Ellsworth Fire and Police Departments. Three other workshops are planned on various topics related to the referendum, all meeting in Council Chambers beginning at 5:30 p.m. We’ve posted the topics, dates, and schedules on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Economy
Large Cruise Ships to Make Port in Rockland
(Rockland) While the cruise ship controversy continues to make for stormy seas in Bar Harbor, ships are finding calmer waters in Rockland. The Pen Bay Pilot reports smaller ships continue to arrive in the Rockland Harbor through the end of this month. But come September, the town expects visits by some larger vessels, an additional 18,000 passengers and an anticipated revenue of $2M, with a great deal of that revenue from charging each cruise ship a per passenger fee. To prepare for the uptick in tourists, the Chamber is hosting a virtual town meeting this evening to help provide passenger support, transportation, information, and an opportunity for community feedback.
(Rockland) While groups in Bar Harbor continue to battle with the town over cruise ship limits, Rockland is rolling out the welcome mat. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the town has been welcoming smaller cruise ships all summer. But come the first week in September, larger ships – at least one with at least 3,000 passengers – will begin arriving, adding an additional 18,000 passenger visits and an anticipated revenue of $2M for area businesses. Rockland charges each cruise ship a per passenger fee. To support the anticipated bump in tourists, the Chamber is hosting a virtual town meeting this evening to help provide passenger support, transportation, information, and an opportunity for community feedback.
Education
UMaine System Negotiating Final Agreement for Sale of Hutchinson Center
(Orono) The University of Maine System is negotiating a final agreement for the sale of the Hutchinson Center to Calvary Chapel Belfast. WABI-TV reports UMS says out of three bids submitted, the proposal put forth by the church scored the highest based on various criteria. The two other proposals were submitted by Waldo Community Action Partners and a joint group of Waterfall Arts and Future of the Hutchinson Center Committee. Both parties have filed formal appeals. The University says after reviewing them, it found neither presented convincing enough evidence to overturn the initial finding.
(Orono) The University of Maine System Friday said it is continuing negotiations with a local church for the sale of its Hutchinson Center in Belfast. Three offers for the property were submitted, but officials say Calvary Chapel in Belfast had the top-scoring response. The Hutchinson Center stopped hosting classes and events during the pandemic and hasn’t held in-person learning since 2020. The two other proposals for purchase of the facility were submitted by Waldo County Community Action Partners and by Friends of the Hutchinson Center/Waterfall Arts.
Environment
Belfast Planning to Expand Breakwater
(Belfast) The town of Belfast is looking at a $12M expansion of its breakwater in order to better face the battering waves brought on by climate change. The Bangor Daily News reports a firm recently studied how changes in the breakwater would affect sediments that build up in the Passagassawakeag River. Cost of the project would require more deliberation by the City, according to Mayor Eric Sanders, with City Council likely to discuss the proposed changes at a future meeting.
(Belfast) Town officials from Deer Isle/Stonington to Jonesport to Belfast are having to weigh the cost of proactively preparing for the future effects of climate change against the cost of the disasters they bring. The Bangor Daily News reports the town of Belfast is looking at a $12M expansion of its breakwater, which isn’t currently capable of protecting against the worsening storms. Cost of the project would require more deliberation by the City, according to Mayor Eric Sanders, with City Council likely to discuss the proposed changes at a future meeting.
MDEP Continues CleanUp of Toxic Spill in Brunswick
(Brunswick) The Maine Department of Environmental Protection says there were significant strides made last week to assess ways to reduce foam concentrations in nearby retention ponds and to keep up the removal of the A-triple F foam that spilled last Monday. DEP says it collected initial samples on the day of the release and is testing soil samples and will make the information available after it quality checks the results. It’s not yet clear how the spill, which contained PFAS or forever chemicals, will affect at least three ponds, groundwater, and soils in the area. The Maine CDC cautions folks to avoid coming into contact with the foam and to not eat fish living in the bodies of water near the area where the spill occurred.
Puffins Thrive, but Habitats Remain Vulnerable to Climate Change.
(Seal Island) The effects of climate change are everywhere. During last winter’s violent storms, biologists say the vast majority of natural sod burrows and artificial nesting structures used by puffins on Petit Manan Island were destroyed, leading to one of the lowest birth rates in years. But NewsCenter Maine reports there is good news. Seal Island, once home to the largest Atlantic puffin colony in the Gulf of Maine, lost most of the birds to hunting in the late 1800s. The Audubon Seabird Institute seeded it and Eastern Egg Rock off Pemaquid Point with puffin chicks brought from Newfoundland, which resulted in the population growing and breeding anew. Still, climate scientists warn that as with Petit Manan, climate change continues to threaten puffins and other seabirds, and their island environments remain vulnerable.
Couple Visits All 431 National Parks
(St. Croix) Did you know there are 431 National Park units? Darryl and Kathleeen Toupkin do – and they’ve been to every single one of them! The Toupkin’s wrapped up their grand tour Friday at St. Croix Island International Historic Site. They chose that location because Darryl is from the U.S., while Kathleen is from Canada – congratulations.
(St. Croix) Darryl and Kathleen Toupkin have now been to every National Park unit – all 431 of them. The couple wrapped up their tour at the perfect place last Friday – the St. Croix International Historic Site. They chose St. Croix as their triumphant finish because Darryl is from the U.S., while Kathleen is from Canada. Congratulations!
H&H Mercantile Hosts Fundraiser for Rescued Dogs
(Searsport) A big shoutout to H&H Mercantile and the other Searsport businesses for a successful fundraiser yesterday. Along with Splendiferous Sweet Shop, Verona Wine & Bistro, Devon’s Kitchen, and Portable Pie Place, they raised $5,000 for the dogs rescued from that horrific situation in Bucksport. Searsport Automotive and Tire donated $1,000 to the worthy cause.
(Searsport) A big thank you to the local businesses that put together yesterday’s fundraiser at H&H Mercantile in Searsport. The effort raised $5,000 to help the dogs rescued from a horrific situation at a so-called rescue in Bucksport, where they lived in unimaginable conditions. Searsport Automotive and Tire donated $1,000, and altogether, $5,000 was raised to help with their veterinary care. Other businesses that supported the fundraiser were Splendiferous Sweet Shop, Verona Wine & Bistro, Devon’s Kitchen, and Portable Pie Place.
Sports
Red Sox losing all three games this weekend to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Red Sox on the field in Boston again tonight to begin a series against the Blue Jays.
The New England Patriots losing to the Washington Commanders 20-10.