Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Lamoine Homicide Still Unsolved After Two Years
(Lamoine) Two years after the body of 71 yo Neil Salisbury was discovered in his Lamoine home on Shore Road, authorities have neither identified a suspect nor charged anyone with his killing. The Bangor Daily News reports Salisbury, a longtime Lamoine resident, lived by himself. His body was found by a friend on October 3, 2022. Police have ruled his death a homicide, but have not released details about how he died. Salisbury was known for his stance on limited government and promoted himself as a candidate for Hancock County Sheriff, though he never got his name on the ballot. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports the homicide is still an active investigation. Town officials say the death has not caused lingering worry for residents.
(Lamoine) A Lamoine man’s homicide remains unsolved, two years after a friend discovered the body of 71 yo Neil Salisbury in the Shore Road home where he lived alone. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reported to the Bangor Daily News, the investigation into Salisbury’s death remains open and active. But authorities have neither identified a suspect nor brought charges against anyone in his demise. Nor have authorities provided a cause of death or given reasons for determining it was a homicide. Salisbury was known for his stance on limited government and promoted himself as a candidate for Hancock County Sheriff, though he never got his name on the ballot. A town official said residents don’t seem overly concerned for their safety in the relatively sleepy community.
Washington County Grand Jury Indicts Driver in Fatal Crash
(Ellsworth) A Washington County Grand Jury last month indicted an 18 yo driver on a charge of manslaughter in connection with the December 10th crash that claimed the life of 17 yo Cole Merchant of Sullivan. The Ellsworth American reports Chase Atwater was also indicted on charges of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and driving to endanger. Both are felonies. Merchant, the son of Dean and Holly Merchant, was a senior at Sumner Memorial High School at the time of the crash. Sources say Atwater was driving south on Unionville Road in Steuben when he lost control and his car went airborne going over a hill and then struck a large tree on the passenger side, killing Merchant.
(Ellsworth) The driver involved in a crash that killed 17 yo Cole Merchant last December was indicted last month on a charge of manslaughter. Police say 18 yo Chase Atwater was headed south on Unionville Road in Steuben, when he topped a hill, lost control and his car went airborne, then struck a large tree on the passenger side. 17 yo Cole Merchant of Sullivan was killed in the crash. The Ellsworth American reports both were students at Sumner Memorial High School. Atwater was also indicted on charges of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and driving to endanger.
Hannaford Recall
(Scarborough) Hannaford Supermarkets are voluntarily removing certain products due to concerns over possible Listeria contamination. The products involved include salads and salad kits. We’ve posted a list of the recalled items on our Star 97.7 FB page. Products can be returned to your local supermarket for a full refund. The products were sold between September 23rd and October 1st. No illnesses have been reported.
(Scarborough) If you purchased any type of salad or salad kit at Hannaford Supermarkets between September 23rd and October 1st, you’ll want to check the information posted on our Star 97.7 FB page. Hannaford stores are voluntarily removing certain products due to concerns over possible Listeria contamination. The recalled items can be returned to your local supermarket for a full refund. No illnesses have been reported, but the recall was issued out of an abundance of caution.
Local Politics
Pingree Working for Tax Relief for Working Waterfronts
(Washington, DC) Democratic Representative Chellie Pingree has introduced the Working Waterfronts Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act. The legislation would allow working waterfronts situated along coastal areas and navigable waterways to claim a 30% tax credit on mitigation costs, up to a million dollars, with annual adjustments for inflation. Pingree partnered with North Carolina Republican Greg Murphy to introduce the Act. Senator Angus King and Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy introduced companion legislation in the Senate in August.
(Washington, DC) Island Institute joined others in applauding Representative Chellie Pingree for introducing the Waterfronts Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act this week. The legislation would allow working waterfronts along the coast and navigable waterways to claim a 30% tax credit on mitigation costs, up to a million dollars, with annual adjustments for inflation. Senator Angus King introduced companion legislation in the Senate in August. Both Pingree, a Democrat, and King, an Independent, partnered with Republicans to introduce the legislation, which will help coastal entities adapt to the shifting dynamics of natural disasters affecting economic and tourism operations.
Maine Tax Portal Goes Offline for Maintenance
(Augusta) Beginning at 5 p.m. one week from today, the Maine Tax Portal will be going offline for maintenance. During this time, taxpayers and tax professionals will be unable to use the portal, and Maine Revenue Services will temporarily be unable to respond to taxpayer emails and phone calls. That’s October 11th – and remember, state offices are closed on Monday, October 14th, in observance of Indigenous People’s Day. Maine Revenue Services expect to resume normal operation on Tuesday, October 15th.
(Augusta) A heads up for taxpayers and tax professionals – the Maine Tax Portal will be going offline for maintenance, beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 11th. During this period, citizens will be unable to use the portal, and Maine Revenue Services will temporarily be unable to respond to taxpayer emails and phone calls. And remember, state offices are closed on Monday, October 14th, in observance of Indigenous People’s Day. Maine Revenue Services expect to resume normal operation on Tuesday, October 15th.
Economy
Public Comment Period on PFML Draws Hundreds of Responses
(Augusta) The second public comment period for the proposed rules for Maine’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave program drew close to 600 comments from hundreds of individuals, both employers and workers, in a variety of sectors within Maine’s economy. The comments are in addition to the 1,000 received during the first comment period. The Maine Department of Labor will now review the comments as it continues to develop the new program. The final rule must be adopted by the Department by January 1. MDOL has scheduled a series of webinars on the issue for businesses, individuals, and the self-employed.
(August) Following the close of a second comment period, the Maine Department of Labor is now tasked with reviewing the comments as it continues to develop rules for the new Paid Family and Medical Leave Program. The final rule must be adopted by the Department by January 1. The most recent comment period drew close to 600 responses from 280 citizens. That was in addition to the thousand comments by 300 individuals received during the first comment period. MDOL has scheduled a series of webinars on the issue for businesses, individuals, and the self-employed.
DirectTV Buying Dish and Sling
(AP) DirectTV said this week it will acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from owner EchoStar. The Associated Press reports the company has sought to complete the deal for years in order to better compete with streaming services which have come to dominate the market. The deal includes an assumption of nearly $10M in debt. DirectTV said the transaction will help it bring smaller content packages to consumers at lower prices and provide a one-stop shopping experience for entertainment programming.
(AP) Changes are coming to your satellite TV programming. The Associated Press reports this week, DirectTV will acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from owner EchoStar. The company has been trying to seal such a deal for years, but has been blocked by anti-trust legislation. DirectTV says it hopes the move will help it better compete with streaming services that have become dominant in the market. The deal includes an assumption of nearly $10M in debt. DirectTV said the transaction will help it bring smaller content packages to consumers at lower prices and provide a one-stop shopping experience for entertainment programming.
Sweet Cheeks Bakery Opening in Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) Sweet Cheeks Bakery of Maine says “third time’s a charm”. The bakery with sites on Route One on Verona Island and a 24-hour location on Route 1A in the Tradewinds Plaza in Holden announcing on FB it’s coming to the Mill Mall in Ellsworth. No details yet on an opening date.
(Ellsworth) No word yet on an opening date, but Sweet Cheeks Bakery of Maine has something very sweet planned for Ellsworth. The sweet shop announcing on FB they’ll be opening a store at the Mill Mall. The bakery currently has sites on Route One on Verona Island and a 24-hour location on Route 1A in the Tradewinds Plaza in Holden.
Education
School Maintenance Crews Put the “Play” in Playground
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth School Department Maintenance crews have worked hard to put the “play” in playground at HCTC’s Early Childhood Education program and the Caterpillar Clubhouse. Not only did they pick up the new equipment from Houlton, they then transported it back to the Hancock County Technical Center, leveled the area, installed the equipment and built a small retaining wall for the wood chips that will be coming tomorrow. HCTC said the crew bent over backwards for the students and kids to have the new playground equipment. They also send kudos to Allen Farm Fence for installation of a barrier to keep those precious kiddos safe.
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth School Department Maintenance crews weren’t playing around when it came to new playground equipment for the Early Childhood Education program and the Caterpillar Clubhouse at the Hancock County Technical Center. The crews drove all the way to Houlton to pick up the equipment, brought it back to HCTC, leveled the area, built a small retaining wall for the wood chips arriving tomorrow, and safely installed all the new fun and games. HCTC said the crew bent over backwards for the students and kids to have the new playground equipment. They also send kudos to Allen Farm Fence Company for installation of a fence to keep those precious kiddos safe.
Environment
Dead Whale Died From Entanglement in Maine Fishing Gear
(Martha’s Vineyard) In a sad follow-up to the story of an endangered right whale whose body washed ashore in Martha’s Vineyard in January, officials have determined the cause of its death to be “chronic entanglement” in fishing gear that belonged to a Maine lobsterman. It’s a first for the Maine fishing industry; and the Portland Press Herald reports it could have major implications for how lobstermen fish in the future. Commissioner Patrick Keliher said the Department of Marine Resources in Maine is committed to ensuring future regulations include more advanced data on the proximity of lobster harvesting to the endangered mammals. Current lobstering regulations are in place through 2028.
(Martha’s Vineyard) It’s a sad first for the Maine lobster industry. Authorities this week determined an endangered right whale whose body washed ashore in Martha’s Vineyard in January, died as a result of “chronic entanglement” in fishing gear that belonged to a Maine lobsterman. The Portland Press Herald reports the determination could have major implications for how lobstermen fish in the future. In 2022 NOAA proposed stringent new regulations, including the use of vertical lines for lobster fishing gear; but the industry and Congressional delegation lobbied for a reprieve, so current regulations are in place through 2028.
Orrington Officials Hold Press Conference on EPEC Fire
(Orrington) Officials from the Eagle Point Energy Center in Orrington updated the public on the fire that broke out Tuesday at that facility. They say the EPA has finalized testing of dust particulates and found nothing hazardous on site nor at several nearby monitoring stations. However, residents were still advised to stay indoors with windows closed. An air quality alert was issued for eastern interior and midcoast regions of Maine. Area outdoor activities in surrounding towns have been canceled – a move officials say they support, as there are still lots of unknowns. The building reportedly sustained substantial damage and was on track for replacement of the roof and siding, issues that will be all the more necessary as the plant moves forward. A follow-up press conference was planned for later today.
(Orrington) At a press conference yesterday afternoon, officials from the Eagle Point Energy Center in Orrington provided updates on the fire that broke out Tuesday at the waste-to-energy facility and which has burned for several days. A spokesperson reported EPA has finalized testing of dust particulates and found nothing hazardous on site nor at several nearby monitoring stations. However, residents were still advised to stay indoors with windows closed. An air quality alert was issued for eastern interior and midcoast regions of Maine. Area outdoor activities in surrounding towns have been canceled – a move officials say they support, as there are still lots of unknowns. Another press conference was planned for later today.
Juniper Ridge Landfill Expansion
(Old Town) The Juniper Ridge Landfill moved closer to an expansion this week, following a public comment period that was extended through last Friday by public request. The Maine Morning Star reports expansion would allow for about 11 more years of use, despite objections from local residents and others concerned about its impact on nearby air and water quality. Officials with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection concluded there would be substantial public benefit to increasing the capacity of the facility in Old Town and Alton. That opened the door for the Casella subsidiary, which operates the landfill, to submit an application for a license to expand.
(Old Town) Over continuing objections from local residents, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection this week issued a determination that moves the Juniper Ridge Landfill a step closer to expansion. A public comment period on the matter was extended through last Friday by public request. The Maine Morning Star reports expansion would allow for about 11 more years of use, despite concerns from local residents and others worried about its impact on nearby air and water quality. But officials concluded there would be substantial public benefit to increasing the capacity of the facility in Old Town and Alton. That opened the door for the Casella subsidiary, which operates the landfill, to submit an application for a license to expand.
A Happy Ending for Nibi
(Mass) A happy ending to tell you about to wrap up the week. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said Nibi the beaver has captured the hearts of people in Massachusetts and around the country – including hers. State wildlife officials had insisted the domesticated Nibi be returned to the wild after two years with the rescue – who had tried to return him to the wild early on, without success. And so, the state has issued a permit for Nibi to remain at Newhouse Wildlife Rescue as an educational beaver and to inspire folks to protect our natural world.
Sports
No high school football tonight for the Ellsworth/Sumner Co-op. Fort Kent’s Aroostook Valley was forced to forfeit when it was reduced to just 10 players. School officials cited injuries, a scheduled school trip to Europe, and the annual potato harvest as cause for the shortage of players.
The Celtics in Abu Dhabi at Noon Eastern today for a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets. Game two of that matchup at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The Patriots home Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. New England hoping for a win after three straight losses.
The Portland Sea Dogs’ homefield, formerly known as Hadlock Field, has now been renamed Delta Dental Park, after a multi-year deal was signed for naming rights on Thursday. The Sea Dogs, of course, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.