Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Trenton Home Under Construction a Total Loss in Wednesday Fire
(Trenton) The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fire at a home in Trenton that occurred early Wednesday morning. Crews were called to Captain Douglas Lane shortly after midnight on the 16th. Firefighters were able to quickly put out the blaze when they arrived, but say the home was already engulfed, with flames bursting through the roof and windows. Authorities say the home was undergoing renovations, so no one was living there at the time. They add there was no insurance on the home.
(Trenton) A home in Trenton that was undergoing renovation sustained heavy damage in an early morning fire Wednesday. According to the Trenton Volunteer Fire Department, a call reporting the structure fire on Captain Douglas Lane came in shortly after Midnight. Firefighters arrived quickly, but found the home fully engulfed. No one was inside, and there were no injuries reported. The home, tools, equipment, and all contents inside the home are considered a total loss. Authorities say the home was not insured, as construction was still underway.
Maine AG Warns of Misleading Solar Advertisements
(Augusta) The Maine Attorney General’s Office is warning consumers of misleading solicitations for solar panel installations. They say when considering ads and solicitations in any form for solar energy, be aware of the following. Maine is not requiring any homeowner to convert to solar for their energy needs; nor does it currently have any government program offering incentives, grants, rebates or tax credits for solar panel installations. In addition, Maine has not approved or selected any particular county, city, town or neighborhood for conversion to solar. Anyone concerned they’ve been a victim of a solar scam can contact the Maine Attorney General’s Office.
(Augusta) The Maine Attorney General’s Office says it has become aware of misleading solicitations for solar panel installations. Maine is not requiring any homeowner to convert to solar for their energy needs. They also warn although companies may advertise no upfront cost, this doesn’t mean it’s “free”. Some contracts may create long-term financial obligations and/or payments may increase over time. If you were solicited by a business and did not make the first contact with them, you have the right to cancel within three business days of signing any contract. Anyone concerned they’ve been a victim of a solar scam can contact the Maine Attorney General’s Office.
Two Hit by Train in Old Orchard Beach
(OOB) One man is dead, another in critical condition after they were struck by a train yesterday in Old Orchard Beach. WMTW reports the incident happened late Wednesday morning while the two were sitting on the Amtrak platform near the town’s Chamber of Commerce. Police say they believe alcohol was involved in the incident. The CSX freight train was headed north toward Scarborough when the tragedy occurred. Officers with the Old Orchard Beach Police Department continue to investigate, along with CSX Railroad authorities.
(OOB) CSX Railroad authorities and officers with the Old Orchard Beach Police Department continue to investigate a Wednesday morning incident that left one man dead and another in critical condition. WMTW reports the two were sitting on an Amtrak platform near the town’s Chamber of Commerce when they were struck by a CSX freight train that was headed north toward Scarborough. Authorities believe alcohol was involved. Names of the victims have not yet been released.
Economy
Early Bird Sales Arrive November 2nd
(Ellsworth) Don’t let Halloween, Election Day, the full moon or that once-in-a-lifetime comet distract you from one of the year’s most exciting events! The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce’s Early Bird Sales are coming November 2nd! The Chamber invites your business to participate in this special event and offer some amazing deals to shoppers eager to get a jump on the holidays. The discounts are completely up to you – so get creative and have fun … and let the Chamber know what you’ll be offering by October 28th so shoppers don’t “sale away” without YOU!
(Ellsworth) Few things draw shoppers to downtown Ellsworth like the annual Early Bird Sale! This year, that’s November 2nd, and the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce hopes every business will take advantage of that busy Saturday by offering some amazing deals and discounts that are totally up to you! Get creative and have fun, and let the Chamber know what you’ll be offering by October 28th. Remember, shoppers will be walking around, talking about, and flocking to Downtown Ellsworth for early holiday sales – so discount your merchandise, not this great opportunity!
Residents Purchase Mobile Home Park
(Brunswick) It was a “We Own It” celebration yesterday, as residents of the Linnhaven Mobile Home Park in Brunswick marked their purchase of the mobile home park in which they live. The purchase was the first deal of its kind under a new law signed by Governor Janet Mills that requires mobile home park owners to provide advance notice to residents of their intent to sell. Linnhaven residents last week completed an agreement under the newly formed Blueberry Fields Cooperative to purchase the 278-home park for $26.3M, making BFC the largest manufactured home co-op in Maine. The sale prevents purchase of the mobile home park by investors, who in recent years have been buying up mobile home parks, frequently raising lot fees paid by the mobile home owners in order to increase profits.
(Brunswick) It was a real “welcome home” celebration yesterday at the Linnhaven Mobile Home Park in Brunswick. Last week, the Blueberry Fields Cooperative, formed by the residents, completed an agreement to purchase the 278-home community for just over $26M. The purchase was the first deal of its kind under a new law that requires mobile home park owners to provide advance notice to residents of their intent to sell. In most cases, residents of mobile home parks own their homes and pay rent for the lots on which their homes sit. In recent years, investors have purchased mobile home parks across Maine and the nation, frequently raising lot fees to increase profits.
Northern Light EMMC President Resigns
(Bangor) Already reeling from scaled back services and a more than $60M deficit at the end of the second quarter, Northern Light Health suffered another blow Wednesday when Eastern Maine Medical Center President Gregory LaFrancois resigned. The Bangor Daily News reports LaFrancois became President in May of 2023. In a July email to employees, LaFrancois had warned the hospital was “headed into very choppy waters,” citing the pandemic, cutbacks in government programs, and reduced reimbursements. Ava Collins, leader of Northern Light Lafayette Family Cancer Institute will serve as interim president with the search for a new President set to begin in the spring.
(Bangor) In yet another blow to a struggling Northern Light Health – the Bangor Daily News reports Eastern Maine Medical Center President Gregory LaFrancois resigned Wednesday. LaFrancois took on the role a little less than a year and a half ago, but warned in a July email to employees that the hospital was “headed into very choppy waters.” Northern Light had a tough time coming back from the pandemic and faced cutbacks in government programs, reduced reimbursements, and other issues that left them with a $60M deficit at the end of the second quarter this year. A spokesperson said the search for a new president would begin in the Spring. Ava Collins, leader of Northern Light Lafayette Family Cancer Institute, will serve as President in the interim.
Health
Blood Test May Predict Cardiovascular Risk
(Undated) Can a panel of three blood tests performed when young predict the risk of cardiovascular disease in women in their 50s and beyond? Harvard educated cardiologist Dr. Payal Kohli tells Star 97.7, a study of 27,000 young, healthy women published in the New England Journal of Medicine seems to predict that future risk. (((Blood Test 1 “…and elevated at about 20% of people.” :19))) Dr. Kohli says one elevated marker means your risk is high, but 2 or 3 predicted with about 90% accuracy a woman’s even higher risk of heart attack or stroke. She adds such tests can help doctors and patients become proactive rather than reactive.
(Undated) Women are notorious for taking care of others – not so much ourselves. Star 97.7 talked with cardiologist Dr. Payal Kohli about risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women. She says it’s not just about high cholesterol, but inflammation as well. (((Blood Test 2 “…besides just the cholesterol risk.” :22))) Dr. Kohli said to reduce the risk of inflammation, we need to be less sedentary, reduce stress, sleep 7 to 9 hours a night, consider environmental risk factors; and perhaps most importantly, keep the excess weight off.
(Undated) Heart disease – we rarely think about it as young women. Dr. Payal Kohli, a cardiologist who holds four board certifications, tells Star 97.7, new research suggests heart disease begins much earlier than once thought. (((Blood Test 3 “…in order to change that trajectory of where that heart disease is going to end up.” :17))). Dr. Kohli said one shocking statistic from the American Heart Association suggests 90% of Americans are walking around with Stage One heart disease, so it really behooves us to take control with our exercise, sleep, and eating habits, as well as reducing stress.
(Undated) Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the US, with 44% living with some form of heart disease. In 2021, heart disease was responsible for about 1 in every 5 female deaths – yet Cardiologist Dr. Payal Kohli tells Star 97.7, only about half of US women recognize that heart disease is their number one killer. We asked Dr. Kohli where women can learn more about how to take steps to prevent heart disease. (((Blood Test 4 “…is CVD Inflammation dot com.” :18))) Dr. Kohli says that last website contains more helpful information on the study we’ve been telling you about in this morning’s newscasts.
Technology
Maine’s Area Code Exhaust Date Extended
(Hallowell) (((SFX Ringtone :02))) Just when you thought things couldn’t get any better, Maine’s singular 207 Area Code just got an additional two and a half year extension. A semi-annual review of area code exhaust dates by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator shows an estimated exhaust date no earlier than the second quarter of 2036 – the previous estimated exhaust date was the fourth quarter of 2033. New Hampshire’s singular 603 Area Code also gained another two years to 2029. The next update from NANPA will be in April 2025.
(Hallowell) (((SFX Ringtone 2 :03))) That’s the Maine Public Utilities Commission calling with great news about Maine’s singular Area Code. The state’s unique 207 that’s used in everything from naming news shows to businesses just got an additional two and a half year extension. A semi-annual review of exhaust dates shows an estimated exhaust date no earlier than the second quarter of 2036. The previous estimated exhaust date was the fourth quarter of 2033. MPUC reports the next update will be in April 2025.
Human Interest/Entertainment
MDI Marathon Weekend
(MDI) It’s MDI Marathon weekend, and that means lots of runners, volunteers, and supporters will be in town to cheer on those racing on Sunday. Beginning at 5:40 a.m., Mt. Desert Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from Ledgelawn to Main Street, with Main Street from Mt. Desert Street to Atlantic Avenue closing at 6. The Marathon and Team Relay kick off from 200 Main Street at 8 a.m., with participants exiting town south on Maine 3. Look for runners to breeze through Seal Harbor, NE Harbor, Somesville, and SW Harbor. Please be patient, and remember, nothing is more rewarding than those runners hearing you cheer them on by name and or by bib number.
(MDI) Hundreds of runners will be on the roads of Mount Desert Island this Sunday for the annual MDI Marathon. There will be a number of temporary road closures that you can access on the Run M D I FB page. The marathon and team relay kick off from 200 Main Street in Bar Harbor at 8 a.m., as runners exit town south on Maine 3 and take advantage of all that training, feeling strong through Seal Harbor, NE Harbor, Somesville, and SW Harbor. If you happen to be one of those out cheering the runners, know that that’s a real adrenaline boost, especially if you mention them by name or race number. A huge shoutout to all the sponsors and volunteers who help make the race possible.
Sports
The Bruins putting it in the win column last night with a 5-3 win over the Avalanche in Colorado. Bruins remain out west to take on the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday.