Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Knox County Counterfeit Case
(Rockland) If you’re going to print counterfeit money, it’s probably not a good idea to use it for bail money. Two Knox County residents found that out the hard way last week. The Pen Bay Pilot reports 35 yo Jessica Gray paid $560 to bail her sister, Nikki Gray, out of jail on August 20th. The bail commissioner deposited the money and was then alerted by the bank of the fraud. She alerted police. Jessica Gray contends she was given the cash by 56 yo Gary Gilbert of Rockland, who was also summonsed for violating condition of release and forgery. Both suspects denied knowing the money was counterfeit, in spite of the fact the word “copy” appeared on the bills.
(Rockland) The money was fake. The consequences real. Two Knox County residents were summonsed last week for passing counterfeit bills. The Pen Bay Pilot reports 35 yo Jessica Gray paid $560 to bail her sister, Nikki Gray, out of jail on August 20th. The bail commissioner deposited the money and was then alerted by the bank of the fraud. She alerted police. Jessica Gray contends she was given the cash by 56 yo Gary Gilbert of Rockland, who was also summonsed for violating condition of release and forgery. Both suspects denied knowing the money was counterfeit, in spite of the fact the word “copy” appeared on the bills.
Game Wardens Seek Information on Illegal Gill Net
(Lincoln Plantation) Maine Game Wardens are seeking information on the person or persons responsible for setting an illegal gill net discovered on the Magalloway River in Northern Oxford County. The Magalloway is one of the state’s premier trout streams; and the use of gill nets is not only illegal, but lethal to fish populations. The net was discovered August 26th with two large dead brook trout entangled in it, along with other fish. Operation Game Thief is offering a thousand dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for setting the net. If you know something, you can report it at 1-800-ALERT-US.
(Lincoln Plantation) Gill nets are not only illegal, they’re lethal to fish populations. Maine Game Wardens were alerted to an illegal gill net set on the Magalloway River in Northern Oxford County earlier this week, and they’re seeking the public’s help to find those responsible. The Magalloway is one of the state’s premier trout streams. The net was discovered with two large dead brook trout entangled in it, along with other species of fish. Operation Game Thief is offering a thousand dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for setting the net. You can report any tips at 1-800-ALERT-US.
Local Politics
Kennedy Removes Himself from Maine Ballot
(Augusta) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has officially removed himself from the Presidential ballot in Maine. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’s office told Star 97.7 last week that while the state’s ballots had not yet been printed, a candidate wishing to withdraw from the ballot had to submit a written, signed request directly to the Secretary of State’s office by 5 p.m. Tuesday. A spokesperson confirmed Kennedy requested the removal as such by the deadline. Kennedy first entered the race as a Democrat, switched to the independent “We the People” Party, and then endorsed Republican Donald Trump after dropping out of the race, garnering shock and disappointment from the Kennedy family, which has been long associated with the Democratic Party.
(Augusta) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s name will not be on the ballot in Maine as a candidate for President. Last week, Star 97.7 spoke with Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’s office, who told us a candidate wishing to withdraw from the ballot had to submit a written, signed request directly to the Secretary of State’s office by 5 p.m. Tuesday. A spokesperson confirmed Kennedy requested the removal as such by the deadline. Kennedy’s campaign in Maine had been ripe with controversy. Kennedy sued Bellows in federal court, claiming she violated the Constitution by not allowing his team to collect signatures at polling locations during Presidential primary day in March. A judge later dismissed the lawsuit.
Economy
Proposed PFML Rules Attract More Than 1,000 Comments
(Augusta) More than a thousand comments – that’s the number reviewed by the Maine Department of Labor during a public comment period regarding proposed Paid Family Medical Leave Rules. Nearly 300 individuals weighed in with their thoughts on the proposed rules, which have now been revised and updated and are open again for public comment. The revision can be accessed through MDOL’s website, with the current comment period running through 5 p.m. on September 30th. You can also make comments in person at 9 a.m. on September 17th at 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta.
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Labor recently opened a public comment period on the proposed Paid Family Medical Leave Rules – and folks had a lot to say. MDOL reviewed more than a thousand comments submitted by over 300 citizens. The agency revised and updated the rules to reflect the comments. The revision can be accessed through MDOL’s website, with a comment period on the revisions running through 5 p.m. on September 30th. You’ll also be able to make comments in person at 9 a.m. on September 17th at 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta.
ANP Tourism Brings Big Dollars to Local Economy
(ANP) Tourism to Acadia National Park contributes big money to the local economy. According to a new National Park Service report, last year nearly 4 million visitors spent a total of $475M in communities near the park. That spending supported 6600 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $685M. Nationwide, the lodging sector of national park visitor dollars had the highest direct contributions, followed by restaurants. Guess we all have to sleep and eat in order to have the energy to enjoy our wonderful national parks.
(ANP) A new National Park Service report indicates tourism to Acadia National Park brings in big dollars to the local economy. The report found last year nearly 4 million visitors spent a total of $475M in communities near the park. That spending supported 6600 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of close to $700M. Nationwide, two big categories brought in the most. The lodging sector of national park visitor dollars had the highest direct contributions, followed by restaurants, proving you gotta eat and sleep while on vacation.
Education
MDOE Names 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year State Finalists
(Augusta) And then there were four. The Maine Department of Education Wednesday named the finalists for 2025 Maine State Teacher of the Year. High school Science teacher Allyson Gilbert from Sagadahoc County, fourth grade teacher Becky Hallowell from Lincoln County, high school science teacher Katie Strait from Cumberland County, and Penobscot County’s high school English language arts teacher Emilie Throckmorton. The field will be narrowed once more to State Teacher of the Year, with that announcement expected in October.
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Education yesterday named four finalists in the running for 2025 Maine State Teacher of the Year. High school Science teacher Allyson Gilbert from Sagadahoc County, fourth grade teacher Becky Hallowell from Lincoln County, high school science teacher Katie Strait from Cumberland County, and Penobscot County’s high school English language arts teacher Emilie Throckmorton. Those four will have one more stage in the selection process with the State Teacher of the Year named in October.
Infrastructure
MaineCF Grant Enables Repair at Ellsworth Public Library
(Ellsworth) Did you know there was an ongoing problem with flooding beneath the Tisdale House? That’s the historic building that houses our wonderful Ellsworth Public Library. The problem was finally being fixed Wednesday, thanks to a grant from the Maine Community Foundation. MaineCF recently awarded $2.3M in Community Building Grant Program awards to support local projects and nonprofit organizations in all 16 counties. You can access the impressive list of projects through the Maine Community Foundation website.
(Ellsworth) It might have been a bit noisy yesterday at the Ellsworth Public Library. That’s because workers were repairing an issue that had led to flooding beneath the Tisdale House, the historic treasure that houses the Ellsworth Public Library. The fix can be credited to the Maine Community Foundation, which recently awarded 232 2024 Community Building Grants for such projects. Altogether, MaineCF awarded $2.3M to support local projects and nonprofits in all 16 counties. If you’d like a day brightener, you can access the impressive list of projects funded through the Maine Community Foundation website.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Winter Harbor Lobsterman Makes Spash on TikTok
(Winter Harbor) A Winter Harbor lobsterman is making quite the splash on Tik Tok. Jacob Knowles is a fifth generation lobsterman. About six years ago, he decided to post a video about the industry, never dreaming it would take off or that he would gather thousands of followers. Jacob told CBS News’s Janet Shamlian (SHAM-lee-uhn) he thinks it’s because lobstering is such a unique profession and way of life – not to mention, everyone, everywhere loves Maine lobster, though few know what’s behind that delicious catch. CBS News went along with Knowles and shared a segment last weekend on CBS Saturday morning. I’ve posted a link to the segment on my FB page, with appreciation to Michelle Leighton for sharing that with us.
(Winter Harbor) When Winter Harbor lobsterman Jacob Knowles posted his first Tik Tok video six years ago, he had no idea it would lead to his becoming a social media sensation, even leading to a segment on CBS Saturday Morning. CBS Correspondent Janet Shamlian went along with the fifth generation lobsterman to see first-hand what’s involved in the unique profession of lobster fishing. She even knew, from watching Knowles’s videos, that breeding females needed to be notched before being thrown back, in order to protect the reproductive cycle. Knowles did, however, have to educate the plucky correspondent on the best way to cook a lobster. I’ve posted the link to the CBS story on my FB page.
MSM Cruises Out of Addison
(Addison) Maine Seacoast Mission will be cruising out of Addison on September 5th. The Thursday evening event is open to the public. Visitors will have an opportunity to tour the Mission’s 74-foot flagship vessel, the Sunbeam , while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Participants can begin boarding the ship in South Addison at 3:45 on the 5th, with the cruise lasting from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Maine Seacoast Mission serves Washington and Eastern Hancock Counties, along with the outer unbridged islands, and is home to a bustling food pantry, a home improvement program, and educational programming for children in grades K-12.
(Addison) All aboard the Sunbeam, Maine Seacoast Mission’s 74-foot flagship that provides multiple healthcare and other services to Downeast Maine’s unbridged islands. The public is invited to board the ship in Addison on Thursday, September 5th, for an hour and a half long cruise. Tour the ship, learn about MSM’s mission, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Park at the Addison Town Landing in South Addison. Boarding begins at 3:45, with the cruise scheduled to cast off at 4:30 p.m.
Sports
The Red Sox held the Blue Jays scoreless last night, winning it 3-zip. The teams on the field for a final game of that series tonight at Fenway.