Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Waldoboro Man Cited for DUI
(Vinalhaven) A 32 yo Waldoboro man is charged with operating a watercraft under the influence. The Maine Marine Patrol reports about 7 Wednesday morning they received a call about a boat that had run aground on Seal Ledge in Penobscot Bay. Officers found the vessel, the Holly and Abby, owned by Fox Island Lobster Company, lying on its side, taking on water. They then located the boat’s operator, Jared Larsen, at Rockland Fish Pier and transported him to the Knox County Jail. Efforts were underway to prevent the nearly 100 gallons of diesel fuel aboard the craft from leaking and to salvage the vessel.
(Vinalhaven) A Waldoboro man was taken to the Knox County Jail Wednesday morning after officers with the Maine Marine Patrol received reports of a vessel that had run aground on Seal Ledge in Penobscot Bay. They say the call came in about 7 am yesterday, and officers found the vessel, the Holly and Abby, owned by Fox Island Lobster Company, lying on its side, taking on water. They then located the boat’s operator, 32 yo Jared Larsen, at Rockland Fish Pier where he was charged with operating a watercraft under the influence, a charge that carries a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
MSP Trooper, K9 Escape Serious Injury in Crash
(Oxford) A Maine State Police Trooper and his K9 escaped serious injury this week when their cruiser crashed and caught fire while in pursuit of a suspect. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday Sgt. Jonathan Russell was traveling on Route 26 in Oxford when he attempted to pull over a vehicle for excessive speed. The vehicle turned onto Rabbit Valley Road, where the cruiser was unable to negotiate a curve, left the roadway and burst into flames. Sgt. Russell was able to exit the vehicle and get his K9, Preacher, out before the car was fully engulfed and ammunition in the back exploded. The identity of the driver of the speeding vehicle is unknown, but the car is believed to be a mid-2000’s Chevy or GMC with a utility body on the back.
Union Man Attacks Hospital Personnel Twice in One Day
(Rockland) A Union man is facing several charges after allegedly assaulting hospital staff twice in the same day. The Pen Bay Pilot reports 56 year old Webster Robinson was arrested twice on August 28th. The first time was after he reportedly punched a nurse in the throat at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport. Robinson was taken to jail and then released the same day, after posting bail. Authorities say Robinson then returned to the ER for a separate medical complaint, but again grew angry at hospital staff, threatening to stab two of them with an IV needle and trying to smear his blood on a third. Robinson is now in jail awaiting a bail hearing.
Economy
This week, we’re taking a look at ARPA Funding. Counties received different amounts of the federal funding, based on population, in order to help them recover from the effects of the pandemic. As you can imagine, allocation of the funds is and has been a daunting task given largely to the County Commissioners.
(Machias) Washington County received 6.3 million dollars. County Manager Renee Gray tells Star 97.7, the entire amount went to a greatly needed building project. (((ARPAWash 1 (((…no longer adequate for their needs.” :17))). Gray said paying for the project with ARPA funds was a huge savings for taxpayers. She said outside of a small request by an individual for raised beds, no other requests were solicited for the funds.
(Machias) Washington County received 6.3 million dollars in ARPA Funding. The first thought was to save taxpayer money and use the money to build a new County Sheriff’s Office. Washington County Manager Renee Gray tells Star 97.7, the current facility was built in 1858. The Commissioners realized not only did the old building need repairs, but the Sheriff’s Office had long outgrown the space. (((ARPA Wash 2 “…not knowing where the money would be spent years down the road.” :23))). The public seemed to agree it was the best use of the funds – no other significant requests for funding were received.
(Machias) Continuing our series on ARPA funding, this week Star 97.7 talked with Washington County Manager Renee Gray about that county’s 6.3 million dollar share. The county used the funds for a new Sheriff’s Office facility and other projects designed to save taxpayer dollars. We asked Gray if the entire ARPA funding was used for the project. (((ARPA Wash 3 “…came out of those ARPA dollars, and we were grateful for them.” :17))).
(Machias) The deadline for designating ARPA funds is just a few months away, although those receiving funds then have until December 2026 to complete funded projects . Washington County Manager Renee Gray tells Star 97.7, the Commissioners looked at a much needed expansion of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and agreed that was where the money was most needed. (((ARPA Wash 4 “…no nonprofits asked for any money.” :08))) Building of the new facility is underway, with a completion date expected this spring.
Popular Ellsworth Eatery for Sale
(Ellsworth) A popular Ellsworth eatery is for sale. The Ellsworth American reports Martha’s Diner owners Martha and Peter Kataftos are hoping to pass on the business they opened 20 years ago to someone new. The couple says it wasn’t an easy decision, but that Martha has been unable to run the diner the past five years, and Peter said it’s time to retire and spend more time with his wife. And despite those health challenges, Martha still makes all the desserts and baked goods and is ready to step back as well. The diner is open for breakfast and lunch, and the owners say they’ll show the new owners the ropes of running the successful diner. Martha’s Diner is listed on BizBuySell and on BizQuest.
(Ellsworth) The owners of Martha’s Diner in Ellsworth are hoping to sell the popular eatery they’ve owned the past two decades. Peter Kataftos says it was a difficult decision, but that his wife Martha has been unable to run the diner the past five years due to health issues; although she still makes all the desserts and baked goods. The Ellsworth American reports the two say it’s time to retire and just spend more time together. The diner is open for breakfast and lunch, and the owners say they’ll show the new owners the ropes of running the successful diner. Martha’s Diner is listed on BizBuySell and on BizQuest.
Knowlton Park Repairs Prove Costly
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth will have to pay to play – or at least in order to keep kids playing on the equipment at Knowlton Park. The Ellsworth American reports an inspection of the playground revealed several potential safety hazards related to the 18 year old equipment. A quote to adequately fix the issues came in at $30K, including materials and labor. Funds have never been set aside for playground wear and tear. However, for safety’s sake, a portion of the park’s maintenance budget, normally used for care of the park’s trees and grass, will be used to help make needed repairs, and Public Works Director Mike Harris has pledged $8,000 from that Department’s budget while the City works to find other funding.
(Ellsworth) $30,000. That’s the amount of money needed to fix safety and wear-and-tear issues related to playground equipment at Knowlton Park. The Ellsworth American reports a recent inspection of the 18 year old equipment revealed several safety issues; though none so dangerous as to require roping off slides, swings, or other apparatus. The Recreation Commission has created a nonprofit – Friends of Knowlton Park – to help raise funds to cover the cost. And Public Works Director Mike Harris has pledged $8,000 from that Department’s budget while the City works to find other funding. Officials say though no equipment will be off limits, it’s always a good idea to supervise children when they’re enjoying the park.
Education
ARPA Funding for Schools
(Portland) As part of the American Rescue Plan Act, in 2021, the Biden Administration allocated $800M in federal funding for students who are homeless. WGME reports time is running out to use those funds – but problems persist. Portland, Lewiston, and Auburn were among Maine cities that received the state’s largest chunks of the funding, but there’s still more than $800,000 left to be used around the state. A spokesperson for the Auburn School Department said the District had more than 230 students experiencing homelessness in the last school year. Auburn’s $43,000 was used to purchase needed clothing for those students for the colder months. The money can also be used to identify homeless children and youth and provide them with services and support. ARPA education funding must be obligated by September 30th.
(Portland) In 2021, the Biden Administration earmarked $800M in American Rescue Plan Act funding to help students who are homeless. WGME reports in Maine, more than $800,000 of such funding has yet to be used, and the deadline for obligating those funds is September 30th. Portland, Lewiston, and Auburn are three cities that have striking numbers of students experiencing homelessness – the Auburn School Department reports in the last school year, the District identified 230 such students. Monies have been used to purchase warm clothing for the winter months, identifying homeless children and youth, and to help such students attend school and participate in activities that otherwise would have been out of reach. The Maine Department of Education reports last year more students than ever – around 3% – fell under the federal government’s definition of homeless.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Volunteers Help Maine Seacoast Mission Fulfill Summer Mission
(Cherryfield) Seventy volunteers from 11 states made their way to Maine Seacoast Mission’s Downeast Campus this summer to make much needed repairs to homes in the area. For more than 20 years, the Mission reports, hundreds of volunteers have each spent a week in Cherryfield as part of the Mission’s Housing Improvement Program. Six volunteer groups came from as far away as California, and for the second year included a group of sisters from Sigma Kappa. The crews helped homeowners clean up storm damage, replaced siding, added skirting to mobile homes, installed storm doors and both fixed and added on decks and stairs – changing their lives and the lives of those they helped in the process.
(Cherryfield) For 20 years, groups of volunteers from across the country have come to Cherryfield to help Maine Seacoast Mission make much needed repairs to homes in the Downeast region. This year, six volunteer groups came from eleven states and every US region to help homeowners clean up storm damage, replace siding, add skirting to mobile homes, install storm doors and both fix and add on decks and stairs. MSM says the work is invaluable in helping those in need complete projects to repair, replace, and winterize area homes. Work done on the homes makes them safer, more accessible and more energy efficient, which is the goal of the Mission’s Housing Improvement program.
Downeast Restorative Harvest Benefits Jail, Food Pantry
(Machias) Washington County officials took advantage of the nice day yesterday to visit Downeast Restorative Harvest, a garden project of Healthy Acadia that provides weekly fresh produce to inmates at the Washington County Jail and to the Machias Food Pantry. Food Programs Manager Regina Grabrovac says so far the garden, set on land owned by the county, has produced a ton of food, a third of which has gone to the jail. Participants included Hancock County Sheriff Barry Curtis, Jail Administrator Rick Rolfe, and about 30 others who enjoyed refreshments, a tour of the gardens, and a chance to connect with each other about the impacts and accomplishments of the garden thus far.
(Machias) We all feel better when we eat healthy foods – and that includes inmates at the Washington County Jail. Washington County officials, including Sheriff Barry Curtis and Jail Administrator Rich Rolfe, joined Healthy Acadia Food Programs Manager Regina Grabrovac and about 30 others Wednesday at Downeast Restorative Harvest, a garden project that provides weekly produce to the inmates and to the Machias Food Pantry. The garden is grown on land owned by the county, and has so far produced a ton of food – about a third of which has gone to the jail, with the rest benefitting the pantry. Visitors enjoyed a tour of the gardens, refreshments, and a chance to hear how the “produce” produces healthy benefits for a somewhat unusual clientele.
Sports
The Mets made it a series sweep with an 8-3 win over Boston last night in New York. Red Sox have the night off tonight. They’ll be back at Fenway this weekend to take on the White Sox.