Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Man Arrested for Rampage at Auburn Auto Dealership
(Auburn) A 25 yo man was arrested this weekend after authorities say he caused up to $90,000 in damages to dozens of vehicles at an Auburn car dealership. WMTW reports police were called to Rowe Auburn about 4 a.m. Saturday. They say the caller told dispatchers, “the sooner police arrive, the less damage there will be.” Officers reportedly could hear loud smashing sounds in the background. They arrived at the Center Street dealership to find Skyler Henson swinging a weighted backpack and smashing windshields and hoods of vehicles. Henson was taken into custody without incident and was being held in the Androscoggin County Jail, where he’s charged with aggravated criminal mischief, a Class C felony.
Hiker Rescues Keep First Responders Busy Friday
(Tumbledown Mountain) An 84 yo woman was rescued Friday after she suffered a head injury when she took a fall while hiking at Tumbledown Mountain. Donna Hobart was on the Parker Ridge Trail in western Maine with a friend when the incident occurred. First responders met the two and decided that with assistance, it was safe for Hobart to walk back down the trail, where she was transported on an ATV. Meanwhile, a 76 yo man from Georgia was also rescued on Friday after he fell eight feet while hiking the Appalachian Trail in Maine. Authorities say a first responder was able to reach George O’Connor and evaluate his injuries. Because of the remoteness of his location, the Maine Forest Service used a helicopter to transport the hiker to the Carrabasset Valley Airport and was then transported to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, where he was treated for spinal injuries.
Golden Retriever Rescued
(Franconia, NH) It seems humans aren’t the only ones who need to be rescued while hiking. WHDH News 7 in New Hampshire reports a seven year old Golden Retriever was rescued from the White Mountains last week after he became exhausted while on a hike with his owner and another dog. The 110 pound pup named Crosby was traversing the Franconia Ridge when his owner observed him slowing and taking more frequent breaks about 5 miles into the 9 mile hike. Crosby finally stopped altogether, unable to go on. Other hikers helped carry Crosby part way down the trail, where they were met by rescue volunteers who bandaged Crosby’s paws, and got him safely to his owner’s vehicle. Experts caution when hiking with your canine, bring dog first-aid supplies, check paw pads frequently, and be conservative with your pet’s ability. Crosby’s owners planned to take him to his vet for a thorough checkup.
MPUC Adopts Rules to Help Survivors of Domestic Abuse
(Hallowell) Survivors of domestic abuse have an advocate in the Maine Public Utilities Commission. The Commission has adopted rule changes that will provide protections to applicants or customers who present an enforceable “protection from abuse order” to the utility. Under a new amendment, certain customer information may not be reported by the utility to debt collectors and credit reporters, a utility may not deny service or require payment in a catch-up amount and may not demand a deposit under certain conditions. More information is available on the Commission’s website.
(Hallowell) Recently adopted amendments make it a little easier on survivors of domestic abuse when it comes to their utilities. The Maine Public Utilities Commission’s rule changes provide protections to applicants or customers who present an enforceable protection from abuse order to their utility. Under a new amendment, certain customer information may not be reported by the utility to debt collectors and credit reporters, a utility may not deny service or require payment in a catch-up amount, nor can it demand a deposit under certain conditions. More information is available on the Commission’s website.
State Spends $1.6M on Child Welfare Reviews
(Augusta) In recent years, the state has spent $1.6M on reviews of its embattled child welfare system, particularly in light of the 2021 deaths – just months apart – of four children whose families had some involvement with the system. The Maine Monitor reports three yo Haley Goding died from exposure to fentanyl at her Old Town home. Three yo Maddox Williams was beaten to death by his mother. Six week old Jaden Harding was shaken to death by his father. And Reginald Melvin was accused of killing his son, Sylus, who had been born substance exposed just a month prior. In a report issued this month, OPEGA – the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability – found in most cases the caseworkers did their jobs according to current agency standards, leaving legislators to answer the question, “What needs to change in order to protect the state’s children?”
Woman Arrest in Death of Four-Month-Old
(Oakland) Police on Friday arrested 54 yo Lisa Barney of Oakland, charging her with manslaughter in the death of a 4 month old infant in September of 2023. The arrest comes after a year-long investigation into the infant’s death. Authorities have released no information on the child’s injuries or identity, and it’s unclear if Barney was related to the baby. Barney was taken to the Kennebec County Jail, where bail was set at $100,000.
Coalition Seeks to Go Beyond Yellow Flag Law
(Portland) The Maine Gun Safety Coalition says enough is enough. The group has launched the Safe Schools, Safe Communities citizen initiative to pass an Extreme Risk Protection Order law in Maine to, they say, help protect kids, families and communities from another tragedy like Lewiston. The campaign is a coalition effort led by gun responsibility advocates, healthcare and mental health professionals, faith leaders, veterans groups and others. They say Maine is the only state in the nation with a yellow flag law, while 21 other states and Washington, DC have Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Under an ERPO, family members – often the first to know if a person is at risk – can directly petition a judge to temporarily limit access to dangerous weapons when such persons are in crisis.
(Portland) Under the state’s current yellow flag law, family members are powerless when it comes to being able to legally prevent loved ones in crisis from accessing their firearms. The Gun Safety Coalition is working to change that through its Safe Schools, Safe Communities citizen initiative. The goal is to pass an Extreme Risk Protection Order law in Maine. With an ERPO, family members – often the first to know if a person is at risk – can directly petition a judge to temporarily limit access to dangerous weapons when a person is in crisis. The group says ERPOs provide a tool for families and law enforcement to intervene before a crisis becomes a tragedy, as in Lewiston last October.
Local Politics
King Introduces Legislation to Address NP Workforce Housing Shortage
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King and others have introduced legislation that would combat the workforce housing shortage at National Parks. The Land Manager Housing and Workforce Improvement Act would authorize the National Park Service, US Forest Service, and Department of the Interior to expand their authority to secure and build more workforce housing on or close to the federal lands. King noted the legislation is especially critical in Maine, where the housing crisis is affecting the more than 300 seasonal employees needed at Acadia National Park. Among other actions, the legislation would authorize the National Park Service to engage philanthropic partners to assist with matching grants and would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into contracts for workforce housing within the private sector.
Applications Being Accepted for Governor’s Award for Business Excellence
(Augusta) Applications are being accepted now through October 18th for the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence. Awards are given to those that show a high level of commitment to their community and employees, as well as those that exhibit exemplary performance in the manufacturing or service professions. There are four categories – Innovation, Rural Revitalization, Heritage Industry, and Climate Leader Awards. Applications can be made through an online portal on the Department of Economic and Community Development website under Maine dot gov.
Economy
Stonington Seeks Funds to Address Climate, Housing Concerns
(Stonington) The cost of dealing with climate change has hit towns hard – nowhere more so than the Town of Stonington. The Penobscot Bay Press reports while federal and state grants cover much of the cost, taxpayers are still burdened, because such monies often come with matching funds requirements and short-term loans. Stonington is addressing the issue with the establishment of a new “Resiliency Development Fund”. The fund allows private donors to contribute to infrastructure projects related to climate change, the working waterfront and housing shortages. The fund is administered through the Maine Community Foundation and provides Stonington with “another tool in its box” as they work to address the issues.
(Stonington) While coastal towns, especially, have received federal and state grants to help cover the cost of climate change on infrastructure, many such monies come with requirements for matching funds, a potential burden on taxpayers. The Town of Stonington is addressing the issue with the formation of a new “Resiliency Development Fund”, administered through the Maine Community Foundation. The Penobscot Bay Press reports the fund allows private donors to contribute to infrastructure projects related to climate change, the working waterfront and housing shortages. According to one source the fund “provides Stonington with another tool in its box” as they work to address those issues.
Environment
Gulf of Maine Climate Research Meetings
(Mount Desert) Stronger storms, warming winters, rising seas – the Gulf of Maine Research Institute invites communities to participate in community climate conversations and community mapping that will help with a climate vulnerability assessment. Drop in this Thursday to share your experiences, ask questions, and learn. Meetings will be held on the 25th at The Neighborhood House in Mount Desert from 10 until Noon, and at the Harbor House in SW Harbor from Noon until 2. And all towns are invited to a meeting at the Northeast Harbor Library on Saturday the 28th from 10 until Noon.
Juniper Ridge Expansion Comment Period Expanded
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is proposing expansion of the Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town and Alton. A public comment period on the expansion was to have ended last week, but in response to a public request, the Department has extended the deadline to this Friday, September 25th. MDEP plans to issue a final decision on the matter on October 2nd.
Health
Body Roundness Index Touted as Alternative to BMI
(NYT) The Body Mass Index, or BMI is often criticized as a flawed indicator of health. The New York Times reports an alternative has been “gaining weight” in wellness circles – the Body Roundness Index. BMI is a ratio of height to weight long used as a medical screening tool, often resulting in patients being labeled overweight or obese. The formula was developed nearly 200 years ago and was based exclusively on data from men. Using BMI, when Arnold Schwarzenegger was a bodybuilder with his 32 inch waist, he would have been categorized as obese. The BRI is a measure of how round or circle-like you are, using a formula that takes into account height and waist, but not weight. Experts say the formula may provide a better estimate of central obesity and abdominal fat, which are closely linked to increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease and that it is also a better predictor of mortality.
State’s Rural Ambulance Services Struggle at “Edge of Financial Cliff”
(Maine) A report this year found the state’s rural ambulance services are teetering at the edge of a “financial cliff”. Star 97.7 has been following and reporting on the crisis for years. The problem stems from services not getting full reimbursement from Medicare and insurance companies, difficulties with staffing – already short staffed, some first responders left during the pandemic, objecting to mandated vaccines – and sometimes dangerous situations as drugs increasingly become a problem. The Bangor Daily News reports at least one group of towns outside Bangor is considering a regional approach, with towns working together to service so-called ambulance deserts. But those on the front lines say more education and discussion, especially about the cost of regionalization, should come first.
(Maine) A study released last year found 15 of Maine’s 16 counties have so-called ambulance deserts, with people located more than 25 minutes from an ambulance station. Maine was ranked as the second-worst ambulance desert state in the Northeast, behind Vermont, as reported in the Bangor Daily News. Star 97.7 has been reporting on the issue for years. It’s a complicated one, involving difficulties with getting reimbursed by Medicare and insurance companies, finding certified staff willing to go along with vaccine and other mandates, and increasingly dangerous situations due to the state’s drug problems. Some are proposing regionalization, where towns work together to service desert areas; but at least one experienced source said anytime you start talking regionalization with schools, fire departments, or anything, it’s a nasty fight that generally goes nowhere.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Road Construction
(Ellsworth) Several areas in Ellsworth will be reduced to one lane for ditching this week – from 34 to 54 North Street, 91-134 North Street, and the first and third sections of Gary Moore Road. Also, the City of Ellsworth reports crews will be working on McDonald Avenue for culvert repair and will be grading along Phillips Way. The Red Bridge Road culvert replacement has been extended, and sidewalks on the corner of Water and Main Streets and three parking spaces on the Main Street side will be closed today through Friday for equipment while a building is being painted. We’ve posted details on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Sports
The Red Sox had a double-header on Sunday. In Game One, they beat the Twins, 8-1. Game Two also went to the Red Sox 9-3.
Red Sox travel to Toronto tonight to begin a three-game series with the Blue Jays.