Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Machias Honors Student Killed in Whiting Crash
(Machias) If you’re heading to any games at Machias Memorial High School today or tomorrow, wear your green. Students and staff at the school are hosting green themed games in honor of Josh Dudley, a teen who died in a vehicle crash Sunday afternoon. Dudley’s car was involved in a rollover on Route One in Whiting before it struck a utility pole and he was ejected – the 18 yo died at the scene. Although homeschooled, Dudley was involved in sports at the high school. The Machias Bulldogs say donations in support of his family are also welcome.
(Machias) Students, staff, and athletes at Machias Memorial High School this weekend are going green for a student athlete who died in a car crash on Sunday. If you’re heading to any games at the school today or tomorrow, you’re asked to wear green in support of Josh Dudley. Dudley’s car was involved in a rollover on Route One in Whiting before it struck a utility pole and he was ejected – the 18 yo died at the scene. The Machias Bulldogs say donations in support of his family are also welcome.
Costlier Fines for Violating Labor Laws
(Maine) Those caught violating labor laws will find such actions now come at a steeper cost. The Maine Department of Labor reports a new rule went into effect Thursday that changes how fines are calculated, often resulting in higher fines for common labor law violations. The rule also increases due process for employers wishing to appeal penalties and introduces a new requirement for the Bureau of Labor Standards to study the level of unreported labor law violations in the state and to devise a strategy to proactively address such violations. Details are available through the Maine Department of Labor.
Egg Recall
(Orland) There’s a product recall for eggs from Rainbow Farm in Orland, following a salmonella outbreak. The Maine CDC has identified consumption of these eggs as the source of the outbreak. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry says at least five individuals have fallen ill and tested positive for salmonellosis after eating eggs from the farm. Production and distribution of the eggs has been halted while the farm undergoes testing, sanitizing, and other actions. Rainbow Farm eggs were distributed by the farm itself and at the following farmers markets: Bar Harbor (Eden), Blue Hill, NE Harbor, and Stonington, as well as through Farm Drop.
Local Politics
Americans Can Now Renew Passports Online
(Undated) Americans can now renew their passports online. The State Department this week made the new online passport renewal system fully available to the public. Instead of printing a paper application and mailing it with a check, Americans can have their renewals processed through a secure system that will save time and effort. The Department says thanks to increased staffing, technological advancements, and other improvements, the average routine passport is being processed in roughly a third of the time it took last summer, and well under the advertised six to eight weeks processing times. Online Passport Renewal is accessible at travel dot state dot gov forward slash renew online.
(Undated) One less excuse for not traveling – as of this week, Americans can renew their passports online. Instead of printing a paper application and mailing it with a check, Americans can have their renewals processed through a secure system that will save time and effort. The State Department says the change is thanks to increased staffing, technological advancements, and other improvements. Under the new system, the average routine passport is being processed in roughly a third of the time, and well under the advertised six to eight weeks processing times. Online Passport Renewal is accessible at travel dot state dot gov forward slash renew online. What are you waiting for? Pack that suitcase!
King Introduces Legislation to Ease Restrictions on Bringing Dogs Across Border
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King is introducing legislation to address a rule from the CDC that has made traveling worldwide more difficult for military and diplomatic families and those with service animals living abroad to bring their dogs back to the United States. While the CDC rule is intended to lessen the risk of the spread of canine rabies, it has created a cumbersome process for dog owners when crossing the border. Under the Homeward Bound Act, military, diplomatic families and service dogs would be provided an 18-month waiver from certain CDC guidelines when imported from low-risk rabies countries.
(Washington, DC) The CDC rule is intended to lessen the risk of spreading canine rabies, but it has proven cumbersome and unnecessary for military and diplomatic families and service dogs when crossing into the US from other countries. Senator Angus King has introduced the Homeward Bound Act. Under the legislation, the aforementioned would receive an 18-month waiver from certain CDC guidelines when importing their dogs from low-risk rabies countries. In such cases, the requirements that dogs must be six months or older and be microchipped with the dog’s medical history would be included in the waiver. A companion bill has been introduced in the House.
Economy
Evergreen Home & Hearth Now Open in Trenton
(Trenton) Evergreen Home & Hearth’s new location is now open in Trenton! Their expanded showroom features more than a hundred accessible floor models to browse, with an amazing selection of fits and styles. Plus, they offer site evaluations, stove and metal chimney and insert installations for wood, gas, and pellet stoves. You’ll also find hot tubs, Green Mountain grills, accessories, and information on financing. And there’s nothing like a cozy wood stove to warm those long winter nights that are just around the corner. Stop into their new location at 117 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton.
(Trenton) Evergreen Home & Hearth’s new location is now open on the Bar Harbor Road in Trenton, and it couldn’t be better timing. The amazing new showroom carries Green Mountain grills for those fall days that still offer plenty of opportunity to grill out, hot tubs to soothe you after those long, fall hikes, and more than 100 models of wood, gas, and pellet stoves – designed to keep you warm and cozy on the long winter nights to come. Check out their website for some gorgeous ideas on beautiful outdoor fire stands. Visit their new location at 117 Bar Harbor Road and check out maine stoves dot com. Welcome back to the neighborhood!
Environment
Grants to Study PFAS in Agriculture
(Maine) PFAS – those so-called “forever chemicals” are turning up everywhere, including in the soils in which we grow our vegetables, trees, and other plants. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry fund to address PFAS contamination has opened applications for $3M in research grants to address the impact of PFAS on agriculture. The fund will support research on the effects of PFAS on water, soil, and plant studies, animals and animal product studies, remediation of PFAS-contaminated land, and more. Pre-proposals are due October 28th. For more information or to apply, visit MDACF at maine dot gov.
Residents Hope to Save Salt Pond Barrens
(Blue Hill) The residents of the Blue Hill Peninsula are passionate about preservation – in particular, they hope to preserve a blueberry barren that has long been enjoyed and beloved by many. The scenic land overlooking the Salt Pond was owned and cultivated by blueberry producer Kermit Allen for most of his 95 years. Allen was quite generous about granting access to this barren that he called the “Pond Pasture”; and his wish was that it remain open for those wanting to access the pond to fish, for artists who enjoyed capturing the stunning views on canvas, and for folks to wander on access roads through the barrens, just as it was during his life. When Kermit died, the land was sold to a Kennebec developer who has proposed a nine-lot subdivision. A recent Planning Board meeting drew a crowd of 160 residents opposed to the plan that would forever change the character of the barren. Fifty others were turned away from the meeting for lack of room. At this point, the Planning Board is still evaluating the subdivision and has requested several third party reviews of the application. Meanwhile residents are working to find a way to preserve the land. Star 97.7 will keep you updated as the story develops.
(Blue Hill) One of the things that makes Maine “Maine” is its stunning landscapes – its vast forests, sparkling waters, and autumn-reddening blueberry barrens. Residents of the Blue Hill Peninsula are fighting to preserve one such landscape. A scenic barren overlooking the Salt Pond was owned for generations by the Allen Family. When Kermit Allen was alive, he welcomed elver fishermen to place nets in the stream, artists to set up easels and capture the stunning views, families to walk on the barren as long as they were careful “not to step on the berries!” The land is lush with wildlife – Great Blue Heron, nesting eagles, pileated woodpeckers. It was Allen’s wish that the land be preserved. But upon his death, it was sold to a Kennebec developer who is proposing a nine-lot subdivision – an idea that has drawn intense opposition from those who contend it would damage the important wildlife habitat, threaten the health of the salt pond fisheries and change the character of the vista forever. To date, the Planning Board has not approved the development, and residents are working on a plan to preserve the land as it is. Star 97.7 will keep you updated as the story develops.
Health
Time to Try Again for Lyme Disease Vaccine
(Bloomberg) The first attempt at a successful Lyme Disease vaccine failed this summer. But researchers say it’s time to try again for protection against what is often a debilitating condition. Bloomberg reports years ago, a shot protecting against the tick-borne illness struggled, largely because of a lack of demand. But with cases soaring, particularly here in Maine, uptake would be much higher now. Cases of the disease have exploded. According to insurance billing data, nearly half a million Americans received a new diagnosis of Lyme Disease this summer alone. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts are focusing on an antibody treatment that protects people almost immediately and lasts up to six months.
(Bloomberg) Cases of Lyme Disease have exploded, and researchers say it’s no time to give up on a Lyme vaccine or other protection. Insurance billing data shows nearly half a million Americans received a new diagnosis of Lyme Disease this summer alone. The first attempt at a successful vaccine failed this summer, according to Bloomberg. But a different effort by researchers at the University of Massachusetts is focusing on an antibody treatment that would protect people almost immediately and last up to six months. The treatment doesn’t cause the kinds of side effects associated with vaccines, and patients could get the treatment when needed – for instance, right before a camping trip or in the spring before peak tick season.
Vaccine Clinic Scheduled
(Sullivan) Age Friendly Sullivan has scheduled a vaccine clinic October 9th from 9 until Noon. The group has partnered with Eastern Area Agency on Aging and Northern Light Health to offer area residents 18 and older vaccines, including flu – regular and 65-plus – and the updated Covid 19 vaccine. Appointments are preferred and can be made at Age Wise Maine dot org. Walk-ins are welcome as well. Bring your insurance card or a picture of your card to the clinic. Medicare covers all vaccinations recommended by the CDC. If you are uninsured, you are eligible for a 50-to-100% discount, based on household income; and they say no one will be turned away due to an inability to pay.
Report Indicates US Failing When it Comes to Health Outcomes
(NBC) A startling new report finds the health care system in the U.S. is failing. The U.S. ranks as the worst performer among 10 developed nations in critical areas of health care, including preventing deaths, access, and guaranteeing quality treatment for everyone, regardless of gender, income or geographic location, according to the report published Thursday by an independent research group. The analysis says especially concerning is the US record on health outcomes, particularly in relation to how much the US spends on health care, and further states, “The ability to keep people healthy is a critical indicator of a nation’s capacity to achieve equitable growth. In fulfilling this fundamental obligation, the US continues to fail.”
(NBC) The US continues to fail when it comes to keeping its citizens healthy. That’s one finding of a startling new report published Thursday by an independent research group. NBC says according to the analysis, the U.S. ranks as the worst performer among 10 developed nations in critical areas of health care, including preventing deaths, access, and guaranteeing quality treatment for everyone, regardless of gender, income or geographic location. Especially concerning is the US record on health outcomes, particularly in relation to how much the US spends on health care. The study further states, “The ability to keep people healthy is a critical indicator of a nation’s capacity to achieve equitable growth. In fulfilling this fundamental obligation, the US continues to fail.”
Sports
The Rays held the Red Sox scoreless last night, beating them 2-zip. Red Sox back home this evening – it’s batter up against the Minnesota Twins.
And the Jets decimating the Patriots last night 24-3 in New York.