Local Politics
Collins, King Urge Support of Armed Forces Crisis Intervention Notification Act
(Washington, DC) Senator Susan Collins yesterday delivered remarks on the Senate floor, urging colleagues to support a bill she authored entitled, the Armed Forces Crisis Intervention Notification Act. Collins penned the bill in response to last October’s Lewiston mass shooting. The bipartisan legislation would require US military services to use state crisis intervention laws when a service member poses a serious threat to him or herself or others. Three independent reviews of the events that led up to last year’s shooting found numerous missed opportunities to potentially separate the shooter, Robert Card, from his firearms while he received mental health treatment. The reports also found a clear lack of communication and coordination between the military and civilian law enforcement. Senator Angus King is an original cosponsor of the proposed legislation.
National Voter Registration Day
(Augusta) Today is National Voter Registration Day, a nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to celebrating democracy and registering voters. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows will visit voter registration events around the state to speak with Mainers about the importance of registering. Following last week’s debate between the two main Presidential candidates, Maine saw 2,440 online voter registrations, including new and updated registrations with changes of address, party enrollment, or name. Maine has same day voter registration, meaning Mainers may register to vote and cast their ballot on the same day, even Election Day. For information on registering, visit maine dot gov or check with your local town or city clerk.
LWV to Hold Discussion on Voting Rights
(Maine) Election rights and integrity – they’ve never been more important. The League of Women Voters Downeast will host a panel discussion on voting rights and the integrity of elections in Maine on Saturday, September 28th. Panelists include Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Bangor City Clerk Lisa Goodwin. The group says in recent years, legislators and election officials around the US have implemented strict voter ID laws and other new rules that restrict and redefine the right to vote. The panel will discuss the current laws on voting rights in Maine, the many checks and balances built into the state’s system, and proposed measures regarding voting and elections. Attend in person from 12 until 2 at the Moore Community Center in Ellsworth or via Zoom at the link posted with this story on our Star 97.7 website under Local News. www.lwvme.org/Events Questions can be submitted in advance to [email protected]
(Maine) In recent years, legislators and election officials around the US have implemented strict voter ID laws and other new rules that restrict and redefine the right to vote. The League of Women Voters Downeast invites the public to a panel discussion on voting rights and the integrity of elections in Maine on Saturday, September 28th. Panelists include Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Bangor City Clerk Lisa Goodwin. The panel will discuss the current laws on voting rights in Maine, the many checks and balances built into the state’s system, and proposed measures regarding voting and elections. Attend in person from 12 until 2 at the Moore Community Center in Ellsworth or via Zoom at the link posted with this story on our Star 97.7 website under Local News. www.lwvme.org/Events Questions can be submitted in advance to [email protected]
Economy
Ellsworth Accredited National Main Street Community
(Ellsworth) Heart of Ellsworth is the newest nationally accredited addition to Maine’s Main Street program. Members of the nonprofit have worked for years to achieve the highly sought after designation. Ellsworth is just the eleventh Maine city to achieve the accreditation, which recognizes a community’s long-term commitment to building a grassroots revitalization program, fostering strong public-private relationships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively preserving historic places and cultural assets. Heart of Ellsworth Executive Director Cara Ramano announced the achievement at last night’s Ellsworth City Council Meeting.
(Ellsworth) A big announcement from Heart of Ellsworth Executive Director Cara Romano at last night’s City Council Meeting. Maine Downtown Center has announced the nonprofit as the newest nationally accredited addition to Maine’s Main Street program. Achieving the distinction was literally years in the earning. Members enlisted the public and worked to support downtown revitalization and historic preservation, create learning and economic opportunities for local businesses, and to ensure Ellsworth’s center was a magnet, drawing residents and visitors to the business, arts and cultural center. Ellsworth is only the 11th Maine city to earn the distinction, which will benefit the municipality’s economy, growth, and vibrancy.
HEAP Applications Now Online
(Augusta) MaineHousing says the new heating assistance application system is now online. Mainers seeking help through the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, can now complete more of the application process online in a more efficient and streamlined manner. The new system also allows for improved processing times for community action agencies, such as Downeast Community Partners, which certify applications locally. Visit maine housing dot org forward slash heap. HEAP helps more than 50,000 Maine households with their energy costs each year.
(Augusta) Demand for heating assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, has increased by 20 percent over each of the two previous heating seasons. MaineHousing says the application system for that assistance is now online, so more of the application process can be done more quickly and efficiently. The online system also allows for improved processing times for community action agencies, such as Downeast Community Partners, which certify applications locally. Visit maine housing dot org forward slash heap. HEAP helps more than 50,000 Maine households with their energy costs each year.
Education
Friends and Family Weekend at Versant Power Astronomy Center
(Orono) The campus is alive with students and faculty, soon to be joined by friends and family. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center on the UMaine campus in Orono tells us about some very special events planned during Friends and Family Weekend. (((F&F Planet 1 “…and a special showing of Dark Side of the Moon at 7.” 19))) Special programs all day Sunday, as well. Get information on all the exciting programming offered at the planetarium – for all ages – at astro dot u maine dot e d u. Get tickets early – Laatsch says tickets for events on Friends and Family weekend generally sell out.
(Orono) The weekend after this one is Friends and Family Weekend at the University of Maine in Orono. We’re letting you know early, because the Versant Power Astronomy Center has some super programming planned for both Saturday and Sunday that weekend – and Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, tickets go fast. (((F&F Planet 2 “…because that is a weekend that we typically sell out.” :17))) Great programming all day Saturday at the Planetarium as well – find information and get tickets at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) If you’re a fan of stargazing, there’s an event coming up later this month you don’t want to miss. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Planetarium, tells Star 97.7 all about Stars Over Katahdin. (((F&F Planet 3 “…so they know how many people to plan for.” :20))) Register at friends of k w w dot org.
Environment
Land for Maine’s Future Funds 12 New Conservation Projects
(Maine) A dozen new conservation projects, encompassing more than 3500 acres across Maine will be preserved, thanks to $3.8M funding from the Land for Maine’s Future Program. The projects will preserve farmland and undeveloped land and vital working waterfront access for generations to come. Beneficiaries include working waterfront at Hancock Marine to support lobster and other fisheries and ¾ of an acre of working waterfront at Stonington Lobster Cooperative that is vital for lobstering and other fisheries, as well as the Branch Lake extension in Ellsworth that we highlighted in our news on Monday.
(Maine) Conservation and recreation projects, working waterfront access protection, and farmland preservation. Thanks to nearly $4M in funding from the Land for Maine’s Future Program, a dozen new conservation projects encompassing more than 3500 acres across the state will now be preserved so that future generations can enjoy Maine’s cherished natural resources. Beneficiaries include working waterfront properties at Hancock Marine and at Stonington Lobster Cooperative that are vital for lobstering and other fisheries, as well as the Branch Lake extension in Ellsworth that we highlighted in our news on Monday.
Partial Eclipse
(Maine) It’s a trio of delights in the sky tonight – the moon is a full moon, a supermoon, and is hosting a partial eclipse tonight. That event begins at 8:41 Eastern and peaks about 10:44, and will look like someone took a bit out of a giant cookie.
Offshore Wind Lease Sale in Gulf of Maine
(Washington, DC) The Department of the Interior will hold an offshore wind energy lease sale next month for eight areas on the Outer Continental Shelf off Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The October 29th sale will be a first for the Gulf, with five previous such sales in offshore New York, in the Pacific, Central Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico. Though controversial, especially among those in the fishing industry here in Maine, the Department says if fully developed, the areas have the potential to power more than 4.5 million homes with clean, renewable energy.
(Washington, DC) A first for the Gulf of Maine, the US Department of the Interior will hold an offshore wind energy lease sale next month for eight areas on the Outer Continental Shelf off Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The October 29th sale builds on the execution of the nation’s first floating offshore wind energy research in Maine last month. While offshore wind energy has been a source of controversy, especially in the fishing industry, the Department says if fully developed, the areas have the potential to power more than 4.5 million homes with clean, renewable energy.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Public Works Paving
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth Public Works will be paving at the Bucksport and Surry Roads intersection, beginning tomorrow (Wednesday) after the morning rush, in order to minimize traffic disruptions. Downhill traffic on Bucksport Road will be rerouted until work is complete. The City asks drivers to please use caution while accessing the area. Additionally, MDOT paving will continue this week on the Surry Road.
(Ellsworth) You’ll want to plan a little ahead if your commute takes you through the intersection of Bucksport and Surry Roads. Beginning after morning rush tomorrow, the Ellsworth Public Works Department will be doing paving at that intersection. Downhill traffic on Bucksport Road will be rerouted until work is complete. Additionally, the Maine Department of Transportation will continue paving work on the Surry Road this week. The City and MDOT officials ask drivers to please use caution while accessing the area.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Fright at the Fort Canceled
(Bucksport) It’s a haunting situation, but things have become so frightfully difficult, the popular Fright at the Fort is canceled this year. In a Facebook post, Friends of Fort Knox states over the years, they’ve experienced increased production costs, guest misbehavior, liability insurance risk, and decreased attendance. In addition, the Executive Director of Friends of Fort Knox tells WABI they’ve had a devilish time getting help – volunteer numbers have decreased from 135 to just 35.
(Bucksport) A series of bewitching events has caused Friends of Fort Knox to cancel this year’s Fright at the Fort. According to a FB post, as the years have passed, the popular event has experienced increased production costs, guest misbehavior, liability insurance risk, and decreased attendance. WABI-TV reports the Executive Director adds the event has also been haunted by a lack of volunteers – down from a monstrous 135 to just a ghostly 35.
Sports
The Red Sox in Tampa for the first of a three-game series against the Rays.