Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Worker Hit, Killed in Orland Construction Zone
(Orland) A worker was killed while attempting to direct traffic in a construction zone Tuesday morning. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports to Star 97.7, 24 yo Charles Resh of Searsport was engaged in traffic control in a paving zone on the Acadia Highway in Orland when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle driven by 70 yo Clint Clagett of Bucksport. Resh was taken by ambulance to Northern Light Maine Coast Memorial Hospital where he died as a result of his injuries. Clagett was not injured. The crash happened just before 7 a.m. Multiple agencies responded to the area. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
(Orland) A crash in a construction zone in Orland Tuesday morning resulted in the death of a worker who was attempting to direct traffic on the Acadia Highway in Orland. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports to Star 97.7, 24 yo Charles Resh of Searsport was directing traffic in the paving zone shortly before 7 a.m. when he was struck by a Chevy Silverado driven by 70 yo Clint Clagett of Bucksport. Resh was taken by ambulance to Northern Light Maine Coast Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Clagett was not injured. Troopers are working to reconstruct the crash, which remains under investigation.
(Orland) A 24 yo worker was killed yesterday morning when he was struck by a vehicle as he was attempting to direct traffic in a construction zone. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports to Star 97.7, Charles Resh of Searsport was engaged in traffic control about 7 a.m. Tuesday, while others worked to pave a section of the Acadia Highway in Orland, when he was struck by a Chevy Silverado driven by 70 yo Clint Clagett of Bucksport. Resh was transported by ambulance to a hospital, but later died of his injuries. Clagett was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.
Overnight Fire in Orrington
(Orrington) An overnight fire in Orrington may have been caused by a lithium-ion battery. WABI-TV reports officials with the Eagle Point Energy Center say the fire began at 8:30 at the facility formerly known as the PERC facility on Industrial Way. Company reps blamed the improper disposal of 8000 tons of solid waste by the former owners. The fire remains under investigation.
(Orrington) Officials are working to clean up after a massive overnight fire at the Eagle Point Energy Center, a waste-to-energy facility in Orrington formerly known as the PERC plant. WABI-TV reports the fire broke out at 8:30 last evening at the plant on Industrial Way. Company officials blamed the improper disposal of 8000 tons of solid waste by the former owners. The blaze remains under investigation, but fire fighters say a lithium-ion battery may be to blame.
Lubec Waterfront Fire
(Lubec) A Tuesday afternoon fire in Lubec heavily damaged a building along that town’s waterfront. The building, which is near the municipal parking lot at the north end of Water Street, was reportedly owned by H&D Seafood and was used for storage. Fire officials are working to determine a cause.
(Lubec) A fire at a building on Lubec’s waterfront caused extensive damage to that facility on Tuesday afternoon. Pictures posted on FB show firefighters attempting to contain the blaze, but the building appeared to be fully engulfed. Sources tell Star 97.7 News the building is owned by H&D Seafood and was used for storage and may have contained a tank in which to keep lobsters. Fire officials have not yet determined a cause of that fire.
Lawsuit Against Brewer Schools to Continue
(Brewer) Before conservative activist Shawn McBreairty reportedly took his life last June, he sued the Brewer School Department, the Superintendent, High School Principal, and an English teacher, claiming the schools violated his First Amendment rights regarding an online post about the school’s bathrooms and gender identity policy. McBreairty removed the post after the schools implied they might take legal action. McBreairty’s widow, Patricia, plans to take over the lawsuit against Brewer Schools. According to the Bangor Daily News, she’s asking for an injunction, allowing the post to be republished and preventing the school from taking action against her.
(Brewer) Conservative activist Shawn McBrearity made no little noise in expressing his displeasure with Brewer Schools over their bathroom and gender policy. Before reportedly taking his own life in June, he filed lawsuits against the Brewer School Department, the Superintendent, High School Principal, and an English teacher, claiming the schools violated his First Amendment rights regarding an online post about the policy. The Bangor Daily News reports McBreairty removed the post after the schools implied they might take legal action. McBreairty’s widow, Patricia, plans to take over the lawsuit against Brewer Schools. She’s asking for an injunction, allowing the post to be republished and preventing the school from taking action against her and is also requesting oral arguments for the issue.
Local Politics
Twelve Sites Proposed for Alternative Hancock County Courthouse Location
(Ellsworth) The City asked, and citizens responded. The Ellsworth American reports twelve potential sites for the county’s new courthouse were submitted in response to the City’s request, which followed uproar over the current proposed already-purchased site on the Surry Road near Josie’s Country Store. The most popular choice was a 44-plus acre lot off Long Lane Road near High Street. The location has accessible water and sewer and acreage to support future development, such as workforce housing. It also connects to a traffic light for traffic flow concerns. City Manager Charlie Pearce said the final decision is up to the State Judicial Branch, not the City. Pearce said October will be a critical month for the state and city to resolve the issue, but that he doesn’t know when the state could officially make a decision.
(Ellsworth) Following outcry by neighbors of a proposed Surry Road location, the City of Ellsworth has received a dozen potential alternative sites for building a new Hancock County Courthouse. The Ellsworth American reports ten of the potential sites were suggested by or at the request of property owners, along with property behind LL Bean and a vacant lot on Myrick Street and Route 3. The most popular choice was a 44-plus acre lot off Long Lane Road near High Street. That location has accessible water and sewer and acreage to support future development, such as workforce housing. It also connects to a traffic light for traffic flow concerns. City Manager Charlie Pearce said the final decision is up to the State Judicial Branch, not the City. Pearce said October will be a critical month for the state and city to resolve the issue, but that he doesn’t know when the state could officially make a decision.
Economy
EAAA Furry Food Bank Receives Huge Donation
(Hampden) Every month, Eastern Area Agency on Aging’s Furry Friends Food Bank distributes 12,000 pounds worth of pet food to lower income older adults who would otherwise have to decide between food for themselves or their pets. Last week, the agency received a huge surprise – 20 pallets of donated pet supplies from Chewy and the Humane Society of the United States. Maine Trailer helped deliver the pet food, cat litter, treats, and more to the pet food bank in Hampden – the only arm of the agency that receives no federal funding. The 40,000 pounds of supplies will help meet the facility’s needs for the next three months, although they continue to always welcome other donations.
(Hampden) Pets are often a source of companionship and connection for older adults. But those with lower incomes at times must choose between food for themselves and their furry lifelines. A lifeline for THEM is the Eastern Area Agency on Aging’s Furry Friends Food Bank, which distributes 12,000 pounds of pet food each month to lower income older adults. Last week, the agency received a huge surprise – 20 pallets of donated pet supplies from Chewy and the Humane Society of the United States. Maine Trailer helped deliver the pet food, cat litter, treats, and more to the pet food bank in Hampden – the only arm of the agency that receives no federal funding. The 40,000 pounds of supplies will help meet the facility’s needs for the next three months, although they continue to always welcome other donations.
Infrastructure
Machiasport Construction
(Machiasport) A quick traffic note from the Town of Machiasport. Beginning tomorrow morning, Kennebec Road will be periodically shut down for culvert replacement. The town says if the sign is at the end of the road, it is closed, and motorists will need to seek alternative routes.
(Machiasport) A road closure note from the Town of Machiasport. Beginning Thursday, that’s tomorrow, Kennebec Road will be periodically shut down for replacement of a culvert. The town says if the sign is posted at the end of the road, it is closed and drivers will need to seek alternative routes.
Human Interest/Entertainment
City of Ellsworth Donation Drive
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth is hosting a Donation Drive for local assisted living facilities for the holiday season. You can help them fill the table in City Hall with activity items and enter a raffle to win a $25 gift card. Suggested donations include puzzles, puzzle books, fun workbooks, cookbooks, crafts, board games and more. The drive runs through October. Help make the holidays a little brighter and enhance the quality of life for many cherished community members for whom those assisted living facilities are home.
(Ellsworth) Earlier this year, the City of Ellsworth held a school supply drive for the youngsters headed back to school. That compassion now extends to those who have a few more years under their belts. During the month of October, the City is hosting a Donation Drive for those who call local assisted living facilities home. Suggested donations include books, word finds, puzzles, workbooks for the mind, craft items, and board games. Drop them at the table in City Hall to help make the holidays a little brighter and enhance the quality of life for many of our older cherished community members.
Fight to Save Tiny Rescued Beaver Goes Viral
(Mass) The fight to save Nibi the Beaver has gone viral. When found on the side of a busy Massachusetts highway in 2022, Nibi weighed a mere one pound and was taken to Newhouse Wildlife Rescue. In the first five months of her life, the rescue tried every avenue to reunite Nibi with her species, but no adult beaver would take her. They next tried to match her with a buddy, but there was no other orphaned beaver in rehab in all of New England. So the rescue was left with the difficult decision of raising this family-oriented creature in the company of humans, a situation to which she has been accustomed for two years. Recently, the rescue went through the proper channels, asking the state’s permission to keep Nibi as an Educational Beaver. To their shock and surprise, the state refused, insisting Nibi, totally unprepared, be released back into the wild. Following immediate outcry by thousands of followers, the Massachusetts Division of Fishing and Wildlife has temporarily backed down on Nibi’s release. A judge has signed an order prohibiting Nibi’s removal from Newhouse until after a full hearing.
(Mass) A tiny beaver in Massachusetts is oblivious to it all as he enjoys the life to which he’s become accustomed at Newhouse Wildlife Rescue. Little does Nibi know, his life is at stake. But some powerful people, including at least four state representatives, are going to bat for the little beaver, and his cause has gone viral. Nibi was found on the side of a busy highway in 2022, weighing just one pound. Attempts to find an adult beaver or at least a companion for the little orphan proved unsuccessful; so the only choice was to raise Nibi with his human rescuers. Recently, Newhouse went through the proper channels, asking the state to approve Nibi as an educational beaver. To their surprise and horror, the state refused and insisted the now domesticated Nibi be released back into the wild, where he would most certainly meet his demise. The case has gone viral and drawn the protests of thousands – gaining him a temporary reprieve. A judge has now signed an order prohibiting removal of Nibi from Newhouse until after a full hearing. Follow Nibi’s journey on the Newhouse Wildlife Rescue FB page.
Sports
The Celtics journey to defend their title begins Friday in Abu Dhabi where they’ll meet the Denver Nuggets in preseason play. Game time noon eastern.
Congratulations to Ellsworth Eagles soccer coach Mark Ensworth and the boys’ soccer team that helped propel him to his 100th varsity win on Tuesday night. The team held the Hermon Hawks scoreless, beating them 7-zip.