Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Sullivan Dollar General Arrest
(Sullivan) The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Sullivan Dollar General last week for a reported possible robbery in progress. As a result of an ensuing investigation, officers arrested 23 yo Jacob Britton of Franklin. Britton is charged with theft by unauthorized taking and transfer. He was transported to the Hancock County Jail without incident and was issued a written criminal trespass warning.
Police Investigating Human Remains Found in Falmouth
(Falmouth) A death in Falmouth is being investigated by the Maine State Police Major Crime Unit. CBS 13 reports the Falmouth Police Department received a report late Saturday morning about a suspicious object spotted on the bank on the Presumpscot River near Walton Park. Police confirmed the discovery of human remains and handed the case over to State Police. No further details are available, pending an investigation.
Augusta Fatal Crash
(Augusta) A 5-vehicle crash near a construction zone in Augusta resulted in the death of a Brewer woman and sent several others to an area hospital Friday afternoon. A report issued by Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss states the accident occurred near exit 113. Vehicles were reportedly stopped in traffic when a pickup truck rear-ended an SUV, causing multiple other vehicles to crash. The victim, 68 yo Sari Ohmart, was a passenger in the SUV. A dog in the SUV also died in the accident. The crash remains under investigation.
Police Chase Ends in Suspect Committing Suicide
(Eddington) A man who police say violated a protection order led police on a chase last week that ended in the suspect taking his own life. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office reports on Thursday, they received a Violation of Protection From Abuse order from the town of Eddington. While trying to locate the alleged offender, officers learned he had fled from an attempted traffic stop by the Brewer Police Department earlier that evening. Shortly before 11 p.m., authorities located the suspect in Milford. They say the man then led them on a chase through multiple towns, ending in Holden, where he slowed and shot himself with a handgun. The suspect was transported to a local hospital, but did not survive his injuries.
Local Politics
Bar Harbor Cruise Ship Meeting Set
(Bar Harbor) The Town of Bar Harbor has set a meeting to inform residents of proposed changes to cruise ship visitation regulations scheduled to appear on the November 5th ballot. The in-person and Zoom meeting will be held at the Town Council Chambers at the Municipal Building on Cottage Street starting at 6 pm on Thursday, October 3rd. The agenda includes a question and answer session.
Voter Registration Numbers Up in Maine
(Maine) The number of people registering to vote in Maine is up. The recent debate will likely give that number an even bigger bump. The Secretary of State’s Office reports in August alone in Maine, more than 5400 people registered to vote. That brings the total number of registrations in the state this year to nearly 23,000. The Portland Press Herald reports Maine currently has just over 955K active registered voters – 36% Democrats, 30% Republicans, 29% un-enrolled, and the rest registered with third parties.
(Maine) Maine has just over 955,000 active registered voters – the Portland Press Herald reporting 36% are registered as Democrats, 30% Republicans, 29% un-enrolled, and the rest are registered with third parties. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, more than 5,400 people registered to vote in August alone, bringing the total number of registrations in Maine this year to 23,000. But you have to vote for that to count. Requests for absentee ballots are currently available, with those ballots sent out next month, or you can always vote in person on November 5th. Check with your local municipality if you’re unsure of your polling place.
Voters to Decide on Five Key Initiatives in Maine’s November Election
(Augusta) Besides deciding on a US President, voters in Maine will weigh in on five key initiatives this November. The Secretary of State’s office has set the order the questions will appear on the ballot as follows: Question One involves imposing a limit to contributions to Political Action Committees, A “yes” on Question 2 would authorize a bond issue for research and development in support of technological innovation in the state’s public and private institutions; Question 3 involves a bond issue that would help restore historic buildings owned by government and nonprofit organizations; a “yes” on Question 4 would fund maintenance for Maine’s trails and outdoor recreation, and Question 5 is that controversial state flag issue – should we keep the current detailed design or go back to something akin to the original, more simple version. We’ve posted details on the questions on our Star 97.7 website under Local News.
(Augusta) From funding for PACS to favoring a flag. Maine voters in November will be asked to decide on five key initiatives, in addition to making their voices heard on who should serve the country as our next President. Under Maine law, questions must be arranged in the following order: carryover measures from a previous election, people’s veto questions, initiated measures, then bond issues, constitutional amendments and other legislatively proposed referenda. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’s office has determined the order of the questions, and we’ve posted a list of the initiatives as they will appear on the November ballot on our Star 97.7 website under Local News.
Economy
Project HOME Shows Overall Positive Results
(Maine) What would happen if struggling families were given a thousand dollars a month for a year? The Bangor Daily News reports for some, a program known as PROJECT Home Trust was the difference between keeping a roof over their heads and being homeless. Because receiving a paycheck most often means losing state and local aid, it can be difficult for those who want to work, such as asylum seekers, to make ends meet. In Maine, PROJECT Home provided 20 such women with the additional monies. While criticized by some conservative groups who claimed it reduces motivation to work, that overall did not hold true. At the end of the year, roughly half the participants in the program actually increased their average hours worked per week; and most of the women in the study said the stability the money provided actually helped to improve their lives.
(Maine) It’s been tested in other areas, though so far not widely adopted. But a program known as PROJECT Home Trust has had a positive impact here in Maine. The Bangor Daily News reports 20 struggling women were given $1,000 a month for a year. The monies were a lifeline for most, because once asylum seekers or others go to work, they immediately lose state and local aid – making it tough to keep a roof over their heads. While criticized by some conservative groups who claimed it reduces motivation to work, those involved said that, overall, did not hold true. At the end of the year, roughly half the participants in the program actually increased their average hours worked per week. And most of the women in the study said their lives improved.
Education
Conners-Emerson Bond
(Bar Harbor) Some good financial news for Bar Harbor, according to the town’s website. Credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s affirmed the Town’s triple A rating while upgrading the town’s Moody’s rating to (Double A one) Aa1 for the first time. Such ratings are associated with relatively low-risk, low-yield investment. The credit upgrade coincides with the successful sale of the tax-exempt General Obligation Bond for the construction of Conners Emerson Elementary School. The estimated new school project cost is $58 million. The school serves 333 students in K-thru 8.
Island Institute Receives SBA Award
(Rockland) The Small Business Administration has awarded the nonprofit Island Institute in Rockland close to $1.4M to support the economic resilience of coastal communities that are dependent on the lobster industry. MaineBiz reports the funding, secured by Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, will launch the Future of Fishing program, a collaborative effort designed to expand economic opportunities by advancing a climate-forward marine economy in Maine. Economists say Maine’s seafood sector is responsible for more than $3B in economic output, providing 33,000 jobs statewide.
(Rockland) Maine’s seafood sector adds more than $3B in economic output to the state each year and provides 33,000 jobs statewide. On Thursday, the nonprofit Island Institute in Rockland announced it has received $1.4M from the Small Business Administration to support coastal communities dependent on the lobster industry, which accounts for more than ¾ of Maine’s fisheries. MaineBiz reports Senators Susan Collins and Angus King helped secure the funding, which will be used to launch the Future of Fishing program, a collaborative effort to offer career training to fishing communities.
Environment
Five Communities Selected for Energy Resilience Program
(Washington, DC) Brooklin, Cranberry Isles, Chebeague Island, and the Passamaquoddy Tribe at the Pleasant Point Reservation and Washington County. Those five Maine communities will receive federal help and technical guidance in addressing their energy needs through innovative initiatives as part of The Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins report the program helps coastal, remote, and island communities assess and advance their energy needs and challenges. The programs will be guided by the Island Institute in Rockland.
Forever Chemicals Found in Androscoggin
(Brunswick) More fallout from that massive fire suppression foam spill at the Brunswick Executive Airport last month. PFAS, known as Forever Chemicals due to their nearly-impossible-to-break-down nature, have now been found in the Androscoggin River. A group known as Friends of Merrymeeting collected samples and presented test results showing the total concentration of PFAS was 16,000 parts per trillion. The Bangor Daily News reports Maine allows just 20 parts per trillion in drinking or well water. An official with Brunswick Sewer said treating wastewater is not an option, because of the amount of solids in it through a filter.
Ellsworth City Forest Could Triple in Size
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth could soon triple the size of its City Forest. The Bangor Daily News reports The Land for Maine’s Future Board has decided to award Ellsworth more than $92K to pay for half the cost of acquiring about 280 wooded acres on the eastern side of Branch Lake. The expansion would connect the City’s lakefront property with other City-owned forest off Phillips Way and is expected to help protect the water quality of Branch Lake, which is used as the City’s water supply. Acquisition of the land could depend on securing the other half of the funding needed to purchase the property.
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth is one step closer to being able to acquire about 280 wooded acres that would triple the size of its City Forest. The Bangor Daily News reports The Land for Maine’s Future Board has awarded Ellsworth more than $92K, amounting to about half the cost needed to purchase the property. The additional acreage contains wetlands and streams that feed into Branch Lake, which supplies the City with drinking water, and could one day contain additional hiking trails and other recreational opportunities. Purchase could be dependent on securing the other half of the funding needed for the sale. The expansion would connect the lakefront property with other City-owned forest off Phillips Way.
Infrastructure
Washington County Power Outage
(Washington County) More than 10,000 homes and businesses in Washington County lost power in a Saturday afternoon outage that reached from Eastport, to Lubec, to Machias and Columbia. At the Machias Memorial High School gymnasium, a Celebration of Life for Town Manager Bill Kitchen had just wrapped up at about 2:45 when the outage occurred. According to Versant Power, a downed utility line and fire in Columbia Falls was the culprit. Power was restored to all locations in about two hours.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Ellsworth Secures Funding for “hopeful” Installation
(Ellsworth) Downtown Ellsworth will soon become even more Grand following completion of a successful fundraising campaign for the “hopeful” art installation. The Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce reports $40,000 has been donated over the last 12 months by individuals and area institutions. Project supporters and organizers plan to gather in the Franklin Street Parklet on Main Street Sunday, September 29, at 5pm. Designed by Maine artist Charlie Hewitt, versions of the colorful neon sign can be found in cities and towns throughout the state. Ellsworth’s will be erected above the Newberry Exchange. The Grand acted as a fiscal agent in the fundraising and benefitted from a percentage of the donations for their participation with accounting and reporting.
Sports
The Patriots led 20-17 in the fourth quarter, but Seattle pulled off a 23-20 win over New England Sunday in Overtime.
The Red Sox could only pull off one win in four games against the Yankees this weekend. Final score Sunday, New York 5, Boston 2. The Red Sox have the night off tonight.