Crime/Public Safety /Drugs
Strong Winds Topple Trees, Power Lines
(Maine) Despite mostly clear skies, powerful winds raced through the Pine Tree State this weekend, toppling trees and power lines and causing thousands of power outages. As of 9 a.m. Saturday morning, Versant was reporting some 6,000 customers without power; the number soaring to more than 19,000 as the day wore on. More than 14,000 Central Maine Power customers were still without electricity as of 9:30 Sunday morning, down from more than 65,000 the previous afternoon. Many businesses were impacted; including the Dunkin Donuts and Mason’s Brewing in Machias, WalMart and Chick-Fil-A in Bangor and numerous others.
(Maine) Gusts of 50 mph or more blew across the state Saturday morning, toppling trees and power lines, causing road and business closures and leaving tens of thousands in the dark. At its peak, Versant Power crews were working to restore electricity to nearly 20,000 affected customers, while Central Maine Power reported some 65,000 customers left without power. Many businesses were forced to close due to the lack of power, including the Dunkin Donuts and Mason’s Brewing in Machias, WalMart and Chick-Fil-A in Bangor and numerous others.
Alfred Man Apprehended After Stealing Four Vehicles
(Casco) A 33 yo Alfred man is in jail this morning, following a police chase across multiple counties in which the suspect, Garrett Littlefield, stole no less than four vehicles, including a Chrysler LeBaron, two pickup trucks – one of which lost two tires during the chase -, and a dump truck, while attempting to elude police. The pursuit began about 10 a.m. Thursday morning as Deputies from the York County Sheriff’s office attempted to arrest Littlefield who was facing multiple felony warrants. Authorities lost track of Littlefield several times during the pursuit, which lasted into the evening and involved multiple agencies and the use of spike mats, and police K9s. Littlefield and a female passenger were finally captured Thursday evening after he attempted to strongarm a couple at a gas pump in Bridgton. Both face multiple charges related to the pursuit.
(Casco) The pursuit and eventual arrest of an Alfred man who had multiple felonies for his arrest Thursday reads like something out of a crime series. The chase began about 10 a.m. on October 10th when 33 yo Garett Littlefield was spotted in Acton and Newfield. During an all day pursuit, Littlefield stole no fewer than four vehicles, including a dump truck, picked up a female passenger, fled in the vehicles and on foot multiple times, and attempted to steal a fifth vehicle by strongarming a couple at a gas station in Bridgton, where he was ultimately taken into custody. Police searched by cruisers and on foot, and deployed spike mats and police K9s. I’ve posted a complete rundown from Maine State Police on my FB page. Littlefield and the female passenger both face multiple additional charges.
Coast Guard Hoax Calls
(SW Harbor) The U.S. Coast Guard is asking the public’s help after receiving search and rescue calls this weekend suspected of being a hoax. The Northern New England command center received multiple reports of a boat in distress between about Noon Friday and Sunday morning. Officers say the calls likely came from somewhere near Mount Desert Island or nearby islands. The Coast Guard launched several boats and searched the area, but found no people or vessels in distress. Officials say making a false distress call is a federal offense and can mean up to ten years in prison and a quarter million dollars in fines. Anyone with information about the weekend incident is asked to call the Coast Guard.
(SW Harbor) Coast Guard officials are asking the public’s help in identifying the person or persons responsible for making suspected hoax calls this past weekend. They say beginning just before noon on Friday and continuing through Sunday morning, the Northern New England command center received multiple calls of a boat in distress. Authorities believe the calls came from somewhere near Mount Desert Island or nearby islands. The Coast Guard launched several boats and spent hours searching, but no people or vessels in distress were found. Making a false distress call is a federal offense that can result in up to ten years in prison and a quarter million dollars in fines. Anyone with information about the weekend incident is asked to call the Coast Guard.
Economy
Breeze Airways Offering Flights from Bangor to Florida
(Bangor) The theme parks have reopened – or perhaps you want to make a trip south to help a friend or relative who suffered storm damage. This month, Breeze Airways began offering service from Bangor to Florida. Catch flights to Orlando on Thursdays and Sundays, to Tampa on Mondays and Fridays, and to Fort Myers, seasonally, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. One way fares start at just $65. Bangor International Airport also reports the runway rehabilitation project and the addition of a parking lot is on schedule. Airport officials say they hope to have passengers parking in the new lot when they leave for those holiday adventures.
(Bangor) Bangor International Airport is paving the way for smoother landings and passenger parking. Officials at BIA report the runway rehabilitation project and the addition of a parking lot is on schedule and they hope to have passengers parking in the new lot when they leave for those holiday adventures. Speaking of which, Breeze Airways is now offering service from Bangor to Florida. The theme parks have reopened, or perhaps you want to go down and help a relative or friend whose property was damaged in the storms. Catch flights to Orlando on Thursdays and Sundays, Tampa on Mondays and Fridays, and Fort Myers, seasonally, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. One way fares start at just $65.
Write That Review!
(Undated) Ever written a product review? Joe Burton, CEO of Reputation, a leader in Performance Management, tells Star 97.7, a recent survey of 2,000 consumers around the US asked what factors they considered when making a purchase decision. The results may surprise you. (((Review 1 “…regardless of their generation or age.” :19))) October 22nd is National Leave a Review Day – the perfect time for YOU to become a consumer influencer!
(Undated) Whether a shopper is buying online or in person in your store, restaurant, or other business, consumers cite online reviews as a critical factor when making a purchase. But what if your company gets a bad review? Joe Burton, CEO of Performance Management Company “Reputation”, tells Star 97.7, it depends. (((Reviews 2 “…becomes a super positive influence on consumers.” :24))) Burton says we love doing business with a company that’s human but that comes back and does a great job when something isn’t right.
(Undated) Product reviews. We all depend on them; but with the increasing prevalence of AI, or artificial intelligence, fake reviews are becoming harder to spot. Star 97.7 asked Joe Burton, CEO of Reputation, how to determine if a review is the real deal. (((Reviews 3 “…can strategically use AI to fight AI.” :17))). Burton says companies such as Reputation can sniff out AI generated reviews and flag them as such to help restore the trust between consumers and businesses.
(Undated) 92% of consumers have left at least one product review in the last year. Joe Burton, CEO of performance management company Reputation, tells Star 97.7, there’s even a special day coming up for everyone to go online and leave a review. Tuesday, October 22nd, is “National Leave a Review Day”. (((Reviews 4 “…to start paying attention and answering those reviews.” :22))) Learn more at national leave a review day dot com. To get more facts on consumer habits at all ages, check out reputation dot com.
Infrastructure
Acadia National Park Road Closures
(ANP) A single lane of the Park Loop Road at Acadia National Park will be closed beginning tomorrow for culvert replacements. The lane closure is expected to be in effect October 15th through November 16th and will affect traffic between a one-way intersection and the entrance to Cadillac Summit Road. Park officials say to expect an alternating traffic pattern and allow extra time if you have vehicle reservations for Cadillac Mountain. Additional closures are expected beginning November 17th. The park will implement its seasonal road closure and close Park Loop Road and Cadillac Summit Road to motor vehicles from December 1 to April 14th. More information can be found at n p s dot gov.
(ANP) Expect alternating traffic and delays beginning tomorrow on the Park Loop Road at Acadia National Park. The National Park Service says traffic will be reduced to one lane, with an alternating traffic pattern from a one-way intersection to the entrance to Cadillac Summit Road. The lane closure will be in effect from October 15th through November 16th for culvert replacements. Park officials say to allow extra time if you have vehicle reservations for Cadillac Mountain. Additional closures are expected beginning November 17th. The park will implement its seasonal road closure and close Park Loop Road and Cadillac Summit Road to motor vehicles from December 1 to April 14th. More information can be found at n p s dot gov.
Road Work
(Ellsworth) A heads up for Ellsworth motorists this week – Gary Moore Road will be down to one lane, as Public Works crews perform ditching along the first section. That’s Tuesday through Thursday. And Tuesday and Wednesday, they’ll be working at the intersection of Water and Washington Streets to do road repairs and prepare for a culvert replacement. Plan accordingly and drive with caution through those work areas.
(Ellsworth) Motorists in Ellsworth will want to be aware of a couple of projects taking place this week. Public Works crews will be at the intersection of Water and Washington Streets tomorrow and Wednesday to do road repairs and prepare for a culvert replacement. Also, beginning tomorrow, Gary Moore Road will be reduced to one lane along the first section for ditching. That’s expected to continue through Thursday. The City respectfully asks that drivers plan ahead and use caution when in those areas.
Versant Planned Outage
(Deer Isle) Versant has planned electrical maintenance tomorrow in Deer Isle. Crews will be working in the area beginning at 8:30 Tuesday morning. The work is expected to take about four hours, with a rain date of Wednesday. Customers living on Old Place Road in particular may experience temporary service interruptions while crews complete their work.
(Deer Isle) Weather permitting, Versant crews will be performing electrical system maintenance in Deer Isle Tuesday morning. The work is expected to begin at 8:30 and last about four hours. Customers living on Old Place Road in particular may experience temporary service interruptions while crews complete their work. A rain date is set for Wednesday.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Indigenous People’s Day
(Undated) Today is, of course Indigenous People’s Day – formerly known as Columbus Day, and really celebrated in opposition of that chap who’s often credited with discovering America on October 12, 1492. Schools are out, government offices, and many other places are closed today – so you might want to call before you go. Indigenous Peoples Day began in Berkeley, California in 1992, but it really caught on in 2014 when a host of other cities and states adopted the holiday. In 2021, President Biden formally commemorated the holiday with an official proclamation. Might be a great day to visit the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor and learn about Maine’s own indigenous people, the Wabanaki. Admission to the Abbe Museum is free for everyone all day today!
(Undated) Today is Indigenous Peoples Day here in Maine … and in 18 other states, which celebrate the holiday, either in addition to or instead of Columbus Day. Maine adopted the holiday in 2019 and no longer recognizes Columbus Day. The change began in California in 1992 when a group promoted the idea that Columbus’s purported “discovery” of inhabited lands and the subsequent European colonization resulted in the genocide of thousands of indigenous peoples due to decisions made by colonial and national governments. With the kids out of school today, it might be a perfect day to visit the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor. Their mission is to advance a greater understanding of and support for the Wabanaki heritage, living cultures, and homeland, and admission TO the Abbe Museum is free for everyone today.
Sports
The Celtics walloped the 76ers Saturday in preseason play – 139 to 89.
The Patriots lose to the Texans 41-21.