Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Lamoine Code Enforcement Officer
(Ellsworth) An Ellsworth District Court Judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to remove Lamoine’s Code Enforcement officer. The Ellsworth American reports Lamoine resident Terry Towne had filed a lawsuit against Rebecca Albright, asking the court to revoke her certification and remove her from her position with the town. But the judge found Towne didn’t have standing in the case. According to the ruling, private citizens cannot initiate revocation proceedings. Towne’s complaint alleged Albright erred in issuing permits under local setback requirements and other standards.
(Ellsworth) A lawsuit brought against Lamoine Code Enforcement Officer Rebecca Albright was dismissed last week. The Ellsworth American reports Lamoine resident and former Assessor Terry Towne had filed the suit, alleging Albright erred in issuing permits under local setback requirements and other standards … and that she performed an insufficient number of plumbing inspections. Not only did an Ellsworth District Court Judge find Towne had no standing, but the decision was based on the fact private citizens cannot initiate revocation proceedings. In issuing the ruling, the judge noted such leeway would “allow any individual with a gripe with code enforcement or other certified municipal employee to turn to the courts to strip officers of their certification.”
Searsport Police Shoot Dog During Arrest
(Searsport) Searsport police officers shot a dog Monday afternoon while attempting to arrest its owner. The Bangor Daily News reports officers had stopped Rodney Damon of Stockton Springs after they received a report of him driving poorly. After leading officers on a three mile chase through town, Damon reportedly got out of his vehicle, let his dog out, and did nothing to restrain or stop the canine when it approached the officers in a concerning way. One officer fired a single shot that hit the dog in its shoulder. The dog was taken to a local veterinarian for treatment. Damon was arrested on charges of failing to stop for a law enforcement officer and operating an unregistered vehicle and was being held in the Waldo County Jail.
(Searsport) A Stockton Springs man ended up in the Waldo County Jail and his dog ended up at the veterinarian’s after the man was stopped on a reported traffic violation. The Bangor Daily News reports officers received a report Monday afternoon of a man driving poorly. They attempted to stop Rodney Damon on East Main Street, then pursued him through town for almost three miles with lights and sirens. When Damon finally stopped and got out of his car, he let his dog out as well and refused to restrain the canine when it approached the officers in a concerning manner. One officer shot the dog in the shoulder. The dog was taken for treatment – no word on its condition. Damon was arrested on charges of failing to stop for a law enforcement officer and operating an unregistered vehicle.
Local Politics
Absentee Ballot Requests Number More Than 100,000
(Augusta) Mainers have already requested well over 100,000 absentee ballots – and the number keeps growing. If you’re voting absentee, fill it out completely, put a stamp on it and get it in the mail. The state recommends allowing 7 to 10 days to return your ballot, and we’re less than four weeks away now from the November 5th Election Day. With a high turnout expected this election year, you don’t want to take a chance on not having your vote counted. No excuse absentee voting in Maine continues through the Thursday before an election, which this year is October 31st.
(Augusta) Absentee voting got underway in Maine on Monday. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’s office reports more than 100,000 absentee ballots have been requested – and the number continues to grow. Maine is a no-excuse absentee voting state, meaning you don’t have to have a reason – such as being out of the country – in order to vote absentee. But officials caution with less than four weeks to go before the November 5th Election Day, don’t delay getting those ballots in the mail. They recommend allowing at least 7 to 10 days for mail to be processed. No excuse absentee voting in Maine continues through the Thursday before an election, which this year is October 31st.
Mills, Officials Travel to Scandinavia to Gain Insight into Offshore Wind Industry
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills is leading a delegation of state government officials on a mission to Norway and Denmark this week, to promote and position Maine as a world leader in the responsible development and deployment of offshore wind. The Governor’s office says both countries have successfully established offshore wind industries over the past two decades. The Maine delegation hopes to learn from the countries’ successes and challenges in launching the new industry here in the Gulf of Maine, balancing maritime and fishing interests with the economic and environmental advantages offered by offshore wind.
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills and other state government officials are in Norway and Denmark this week, hoping to learn from the challenges and successes of the two countries as Maine begins to develop and deploy offshore wind facilities. The Scandinavian countries have successfully established offshore wind industries over the past two decades. As Maine seeks to promote and position itself as a world leader in the responsible development and deployment of offshore wind, the delegation will look at how to balance maritime and fishing interests with the economic and environmental advantages offered by offshore wind.
Economy
Acadia National Park/Friends of Acadia Celebrate Housing Milestone
(ANP) Acadia National Park and Friends of Acadia on Tuesday hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate completion of one major construction project and the beginning of another that will open doors TO and FOR park employees. Yesterday’s event heralded the finishing of eight bedrooms at Dane Farm in Seal Harbor. Construction of 28 bedrooms is planned at Harden Farm in Bar Harbor for additional seasonal housing. It’s hoped the two projects will make working at the park not only more attractive but feasible, as well. Like many others across the country, Acadia has grappled with a lack of workforce housing.
(ANP) Like many other parks across the country, Acadia National Park has grappled with a lack of workforce housing. Park officials realized a step forward on Tuesday as Friends of Acadia hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate completion of one major construction project and the beginning of another that will open doors TO and FOR park employees. Yesterday’s event heralded the finishing of eight bedrooms at Dane Farm in Seal Harbor. Construction of 28 additional bedrooms is planned at Harden Farm in Bar Harbor. Both projects are supported by Friends of Acadia’s $10M fundraising campaign to help find near term and long term solutions to employee housing challenges at Acadia.
Education
Versant Power Planetarium October
(Orono) There’s a chill in the air – but not to worry, the Versant Power Astronomy Center on the UMaine campus in Orono has plenty of fascinating indoor programming planned this month. Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7 you can enter the core of a giant star just before it implodes as you learn about “The Universe in Us.” (((PlanetOct 1 “…all the food we eat, things like that.” :24))) Narrated by Diego Luna, that’s Friday nights at 7. Tickets at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) Black holes, zombie stars, and ghostly nebulae, oh my! Bring the family for some hauntingly fun programming Sunday afternoons in October at the Versant Power Astronomy Center in Orono. Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, space has its own special monsters. (((PlanetOct 2 “…a fun program for the entire family! :16))) That’s Sunday afternoons at 2 – tickets at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) This month’s music shows at the Versant Power Planetarium may have you dancing in the mad scientist’s lab! Director Shawn Laatsch explains. (((PlanetOct 3 “… many other wonderful hits that folks will enjoy! :17))). That’s Sunday afternoons at 4 – and this month, the music shows are fun for the whole family! Tickets at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, tells Star 97.7, keep your eyes to the skies beginning this weekend for a celestial event with quite the “tail”. (((PlanetOct 4 “…right away after sunset in the evening skies.” :17))) Laatsch says to catch a glimpse of the comet, look to the west southwest right after sunset.
Health
CDC Issues Warning About “Knock-Off Meds”
(Reuters) The US CDC is alerting public health officials and clinicians of the potential risk for drug overdose among persons ordering counterfeit prescription medicines from online pharmacies. Reuters reports the counterfeit pills sold through illegal internet-based pharmacies frequently contain Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is the leading cause of drug overdoses in the US, according to the health agency. The CDC cautions consumers to be wary of pharmacies that operate without a license, that don’t require a doctor’s prescription, and/or that offer deep discounts.
(Reuters) The US CDC is urging consumers, public health officials, and clinicians to be wary of counterfeit prescription medicines they say have the potential risk of drug overdose. Reuters reports the health agency says to be wary of pharmacies, particularly online pharmacies, that operate without a license, that don’t require a doctor’s prescription, and/or that offer deep discounts. They say counterfeit pills sold through illegal internet-based pharmacies frequently contain Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is the leading cause of drug overdoses in the US, according to the CDC.
Infrastructure
Versant Power Planned Outage
(Veazie) Versant Power customers on US Route 2 and Ridge View Drive in Veazie may experience service disruptions between 7 and 9 a.m. this Friday, October 11th. Crews have scheduled maintenance to the electrical system in Veazie in order to improve reliability and prevent unplanned outages. Rain date is October 15th.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Messenger Animal Rescue Secures Building for Shelter
(Harrington) Exciting news from The Messenger Animal Rescue – after operating the shelter in her basement for more than three years, ACO Sarah Strout says she’s secured a building for the shelter in Harrington. She says while the building is in good shape, it’s naturally going to need some renovations, including plumbing, heating, and electrical work.. Strout says donations of any amount are appreciated and are 100% tax deductible, and there are some special options for businesses and others who are able to make donations of $500 or more. Learn more on the Messenger Animal Rescue FB page.
(Harrington) It’s been Sarah Strout’s dream for several years now to open an animal shelter in the Harrington area in Washington County. On Tuesday, the ACO announced on her FB page that after three years of operating a shelter out of her home basement, she has secured a building in Harrington. Strout says while the building is in good shape, it will need renovations before they can fully operate. Donations of any amount are 100% tax deductible, and there are special options for those who can and who choose to donate $500 or more. You can help support the work and find more information on the Messenger Animal Rescue FB page.
Sports
Jim Newett has earned a spot in the Maine Running Hall of Fame. Newett, a retired Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School Principal, is credited with jump starting the cross country program at the junior high school in 1981. The Ellsworth American reports Newett is a veteran distance runner himself, with 30 Boston Marathons under his belt. The induction ceremony will be November 10th in Augusta.
Luis Tiant (loo-EES TEE-uhnt) has died. Known as “El Tiante”, the charismatic Cuban pitched the Red Sox to the brink of a World Series championship and himself to the doorstep of the Hall of Fame, according to the Associated Press. Tiant mesmerized crowds with his unique wind-up pitch, was a three-time All Star, and had the best ERA in the American League for half a century. Tiant was 83