Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
FBI Says No Suspicious Letter Sent to Secretary of State’s Office
(Augusta) An update on a story we brought you yesterday. WMTW initially reported among the suspicious letters sent to government officials across the country this week was a letter sent to Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’s office. That report was based on correspondence from the Secretary’s office. According to the report, the letter contained an unidentified powder and was intercepted by US Postal workers before it reached Maine. The Secretary’s office then backtracked on that initial statement. Bellows’s office shared that they later received new information that no suspicious letter to the Secretary’s office in Maine had been intercepted, further stating the investigation is ongoing and all questions about the topic should be addressed to the FBI.
Hiker Airlifted from Beehive Trail
(ANP) A 58 yo man had to be airlifted from the Beehive Trail at Acadia National Park on Wednesday. Authorities say the man was on the trail about 8 yesterday morning when he experienced a serious medical event. Park rangers coordinated with MDI Search and Rescue to assemble a 16-person rescue team that staged at the trailhead along the Park Loop Road. They say the victim was about halfway up the nearly vertical section of the trail, and first responders were able to evacuate him by helicopter. The trail was closed for about an hour. The patient was transported to MDI Hospital in Bar Harbor.
(ANP) A hiker had to be airlifted from the Beehive Trail at Acadia National Park Wednesday morning after he experienced a serious medical event. Authorities say the 58 yo man was about halfway up the nearly vertical section of the trail when he fell ill about 8 yesterday morning. Park rangers coordinated with MDI Search and Rescue to assemble a 16-person rescue team that staged at the trailhead along the Park Loop Road. First responders were able to evacuate the victim by helicopter. He was taken to MDI Hospital in Bar Harbor. The trail was closed for about an hour during the rescue.
MSP Arrests Driver Involved in Crash, Attempted Carjacking
(South Portland) Keeping her doors locked while driving may have saved a Portland woman Wednesday. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7 about Noon Wednesday, troopers responded to a single vehicle crash in South Portland. The driver took off on foot with his dog, ran through nearby woods and towards the Maine Mall. He then attempted to enter a car stopped at a red light, but the passenger door was locked. The trooper giving chase tased the suspect, 41 yo Ryan Simpson of Portland, and was able to take him into custody without incident. Simpson had two outstanding warrants and was to be held in the Cumberland County Jail. The dog was not injured and was safely taken by an ACO. Authorities would like to speak to the woman driving the car Simpson attempted to get into – anyone with knowledge of the event is asked to call the Augusta RCC.
(South Portland) It’s a good idea not only to lock your house doors, but your car’s as well. That action likely saved a woman Wednesday. Authorities tell Star 97.7 police responded to a single vehicle crash in South Portland. The driver of the vehicle, 41 yo Ryan Simpson of Portland, took off on foot with his dog, through the woods and toward the Maine Mall. At one point, he attempted to get into a car that was stopped at a red light, but found the passenger side door was locked. At that point, a trooper tasered Simpson and was able to take him into custody. Simpson reportedly had two outstanding warrants. The dog was not injured and was safely taken by an ACO. Authorities would like to speak to the woman driving the car Simpson attempted to get into – anyone with knowledge of the event is asked to call the Augusta RCC.
Local Politics
Lubec Town Clerk Honored with Rookie of the Year Award
(Lubec) She’s barely been in the position a year, but Penny Sprague has made enough of an impression to earn the Rookie of the Year Award from the Maine Town-City Clerk’s Association on Wednesday. To say Sprague was surprised is an understatement. Colleagues had lured her to Augusta under the guise they would be attending a workshop. Sprague was in competition with clerks statewide who have been in the profession five or fewer years, but her nomination outshined them all. The award is given to a town or city clerk who has done a particularly good job in the community, provided strong leadership, and/or resolved a particularly difficult issue or crisis. Sprague was particularly moved when former Town Manager and Clerk Renee Gray, who nominated her, showed up to congratulate her. Great job, Penny!
(Lubec) Serving as a town or city clerk can be a thankless job … many leave the profession after just a short time. The Maine Town-City Clerk’s Association works to encourage particularly gifted clerks to stay in the profession by recognizing them at an annual meeting. One such award, given to new clerks who have been in the profession five years or less, is the “Rookie of the Year” honor. Winners are championed for doing a particularly good job in a community, providing strong leadership, and/or resolving a difficult issue or crisis. It’s a highly coveted and competitive award that on Wednesday went to Lubec Town Clerk Penny Sprague. Sprague has been in the profession just over a year, but previous clerk and Town Manager, Renee Gray, who now serves as Washington County Manager, was eager to nominate the highly competent Sprague. Best of all, the recipient had no idea she was about to be honored – Sprague’s colleagues lured her to Augusta under the guise of attending a seminar. Congratulations, Penny. Well deserved.
Economy
King Introduces Housing Shortage Bill
(Washington, DC) Why build new if you can add onto or expand what you already have? That’s the idea behind legislation proposed by Senator Angus King. The Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act aims to help address the housing shortage and make it easier for rural workers to live in the communities they serve. The legislation would make it more attractive for rural homeowners to create more housing on their property, such as an attached apartment unit or home nearby for rent.
(Washington, DC) The housing crisis has risen dramatically in recent years. A recent study found Maine is now short more than 80,000 homes. Senator Angus King has introduced the Farmhouse to Workforce Housing Act. The legislation would make it increasingly attractive for rural homeowners to create more housing on their property, such as an attached apartment unit or home nearby for rent and would make it easier for people in rural areas to access housing in the communities where they work.
Home Energy Rebate Program Launched
(South Portland) A $36M federal grant will support heat pump rebates for income-eligible Maine residents in multifamily and manufactured homes, keeping homes comfortable year-round, while reducing energy costs. Maine’s new Home Energy Rebate Program was announced Wednesday by Governor Janet Mills and US Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. The program will be administered through Efficiency Maine and is meant to complement existing incentive programs for all income levels.
Environment
Bar Harbor Garden Club Launches Food Waste Composting Project
(Bar Harbor) If you add food scraps and yard waste, the throw-aways make up about 40% of what we toss out each year. Each American adds about 1200 pounds in landfills, generating methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The Bar Harbor Garden Club hopes to nip that in the dump with a Food Waste Composting Project. The Club has partnered with Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Chickadee Compost in Surry. Subscribers can dispose of their food waste at a large bin inside at a shed at Stone Barn off Crooked Road. Subscribers are entitled to five gallons of free finished compost each spring and fall. For more information, visit bar harbor garden club dot org.
(Bar Harbor) Turn those food scraps into rich compost you can use to grow bountiful gardens next spring – and help prevent the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas generated by waste dumped at landfills. The Bar Harbor Garden Club is launching the Food Waste Composting Project. The Club has partnered with Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Chickadee Compost in Surry. Subscribers can dispose of their food waste at a large bin inside at a shed at Stone Barn off Crooked Road. Subscribers are entitled to five gallons of free finished compost each spring and fall. Subscriptions are just $10 month. For more information, visit bar harbor garden club dot org.
Infrastructure
Federal Funds to Help Cover Costs of Roads Damaged by Storms
(Washington, DC) The US Department of Transportation has awarded Maine nearly $1.5M in grant funding for emergency repairs made to roads and highways damaged by storms in June and December 2023. Senator Susan Collins noted the storms caused substantial damages to public infrastructure throughout the state. Grant funding was allocated to the Maine Department of Transportation for recovery costs in Franklin County, at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, and Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge for debris removal and to the Maine Coastal Islands Complex in Rockland for rehabilitation of Petit Manan Road and parking areas during the December Nor’easter.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Governor Declares September 22-28 Deaf Culture Week
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills has declared September 22-28 Deaf Culture Week. The week actually kicks off this afternoon with an Annual Award Ceremony and Tea from 2 to 4 at the Statehouse in Augusta. This will be the first Deaf Culture Tea since the tragedy in Lewiston that greatly impacted the deaf community. Four of the victims killed were members of the deaf community. The week celebrates the deaf culture and the heritage of American Sign Language and deaf literature, art, and folklore.
(Augusta) September 22-28 has been proclaimed Deaf Culture Week. The celebration actually kicks off this afternoon at the Statehouse in Augusta with an Annual Award Ceremony and Tea with the Governor and The Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened. It’s the 33rd annual such event; the first since the tragedy in Lewiston, that claimed the lives of four members of the deaf community. The week honors the victims … and the resilience of the deaf community following the disaster. Events planned for the week celebrate the heritage of American Sign Language and deaf literature, art, and folklore.
SPCA Howl-O-Run
(Trenton) Fall is for running, and you can race for a good cause at this year’s Annual Jim Nobil Howl-O-Run 5K Walk and Run, benefitting the SPCA of Hancock County. The race kicks off at 11 a.m. Sunday, October 27th, at Marlboro Beach in Lamoine, with all funds going to help the animals in the SPCA’s care. Not into competing? Become an event sponsor and have your logo featured on the event t-shirt and on the SPCA’s website. Deadline for sponsorships is October 5th. Be a princess – or a witch, or a ninja warrior – you get the idea. Plan to dress up if you like, and be sure to sign up at s p c a hancock county dot org.
(Trenton) Run like a witch on her broomstick is after you, or walk like you’re trick-or-treating! However you choose to participate, you’ll have a hauntingly good time at this year’s Annual Jim Nobil Howl-O-Run 5K Walk and Run, benefitting the SPCA of Hancock County. The race kicks off at 11 a.m. Sunday, October 27th, at Marlboro Beach in Lamoine, with all funds raised supporting the animals in the SPCA’s care. Or become an event sponsor and have your logo featured on the event t-shirt and on the SPCA’s website. Deadline for sponsorships is October 5th. Sign up at s p c a hancock county dot org. Do it now before you turn into a pumpkin.
Sports
Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 last night. Teams have one more game in that series this evening before the Sox head home for a weekend series against the Minnesota Twins.
And the New England Patriots toss the pigskin with the Jets in New York.