Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Alexander Couple Missing Since Sunday Found
(Alexander) Game Wardens and warden K9s yesterday afternoon located an Alexander couple missing from their home since Sunday. The couple was found in woods behind their home, where they had gone for a walk on Sunday but had wandered off one of the trails. 82 yo John Helmstadter had fallen and was unable to get up. He had not survived. His wife, 72 yo Pamela, was found severely hypothermic but alert with one of her dogs by her side. She was taken to Calais Community Hospital for observation. Neither had their cell phones with them. A neighbor who had not seen them for several days reported the couple missing on Wednesday, after one of their dogs had returned home.
Woodland Man Arrested for Arson
(Woodland) A Woodland man is under arrest for allegedly terrorizing that town over 18 months with improvised explosive devices. Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, 37 yo Joshua Brydon faces multiple charges, including five counts of arson, six counts of Criminal Use of Explosives, two counts of Stalking and one count of Endangering a Child. Authorities say Brydon used the improvised incendiary devices to target multiple victims in the town – some dropped by drone, others placed or thrown by hand. Brydon is being held in the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton pending arraignment.
Lawmakers Hear of Unsafe Conditions at State Psychiatric Hospitals
(Bangor) Maine’s psychiatric hospitals have been negatively impacted by staff shortages that have contributed to unsafe working conditions. That’s according to lawmakers who met with employees of Riverview in Augusta and Dorothea Dix in Bangor. But the Portland Press Herald reports, administrative staff at both hospitals paint a different picture. They say they’ve worked tirelessly to address staffing concerns and to keep patients and staff safe. The Democratic lawmakers, Bill Bridges and Raegan LaRochelle of Augusta, have requested the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee authorize a thorough review of worker safety at both hospitals.
(Bangor) It’s a bit of a “he said, she said” situation at the State’s two psychiatric hospitals – Dorothea Dix in Bangor and Riverview in Augusta. The two have been hit with staff shortages that have allegedly led to unsafe working conditions, according to interviews conducted by two Democratic lawmakers from Augusta. But the Portland Press Herald reports administrators at the two facilities paint a markedly different picture. They say they’ve worked tirelessly to address staffing concerns and to keep both patients and workers safe. The Democratic lawmakers, Bill Bridges and Raegan LaRochelle of Augusta, have requested the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee authorize a thorough review of worker safety at both hospitals.
Maine State Police Release NESPAC Review of Maine State Police
(Undated) The New England State Police Administrator’s Conference yesterday released the results of an independent review of the Maine State Police’s actions and policies leading up to the Lewiston tragedy. The reviewers noted response to any incident of such magnitude will never be without issues, but that it is important to highlight those issues in order to learn, make necessary changes, and prepare for the future. The review included 21 primary recommendations, including incorporating active shooter training, which Maine State Police have implemented for every new law enforcement officer, training supervisors in identifying signs of psychological trauma in employees, and developing a Mass Casualty Incident Plan. A copy of the review is available through NESPAC.
(Undated) Maine State Police yesterday received more feedback on their response to last year’s Lewiston tragedy. The New England State Police Administrator’s Conference on Thursday released the results of an independent review. The review listed 21 recommendations, including creating a regional peer support unit, developing a Mass Casualty Incident Plan, and including relevant partner agencies in the recommended trainings. A Maine State Police spokesperson said the MSP looks forward to utilizing all the feedback detailed in the commission’s report, their own after-action report, and the independent review and said continued training, policy review and collaboration with partner agencies from across the first responder spectrum was imperative and would be ongoing.
Economy
Electricity Maine to Refund $6M to Customers to Settle Pricing Dispute
(Auburn) Electricity Maine, a competitive utilities provider that came under fire over its pricing, will refund $6M to some 20K current and former customers. Public Advocate William Harwood had accused the utility of overcharging customers, according to the Portland Press Herald. The refunds average out to about $300 per customer. The company will also pay a $315,000 penalty as part of a settlement approved this week by state utility regulators. In an email, Electricity Maine said it was “pleased to have worked” with the PUC and the Public Advocate “ to resolve the matter “amicably” and that the company would continue in their commitment to provide Mainers with a choice in their electricity supplier.
(Auburn) Electricity Maine will issue refunds to some 20K current and former customers and pay a $315K penalty as part of a settlement approved this week by state utility regulators. The Portland Press Herald reports Electricity Maine, a competitive utilities provider, was founded in Auburn in 2011 and bought five years later by Spark Energy of Houston. Public Advocate William Harwood had accused the utility of overcharging customers, who will receive average refunds of about $300 each. The utility issued an email saying it was pleased to have worked with the PUC and the Public Advocate to resolve the matter amicably, and that Electricity Maine would continue to compliantly serve and provide Mainers with a choice of electricity suppliers.
Families First Invites You to Empower a Family
(Ellsworth) Families First Community Center invites you to help empower a family for the holidays. During November and December, your support will directly contribute to the well-being of families living in their residential program. By participating, you’re helping families overcome challenges and regain stability. Your gifts can be earmarked for a family of your choosing and can provide them with essentials, such as gas cards, gift cards for personal hygiene items, funds for Christmas shopping, small vehicle repairs and winter coats. FFCC empowers families to take control of their circumstances and focus on a brighter future. For more information, contact Shaina at the Center.
(Ellsworth) Families First Community Center helps families take control of their circumstances and focus on a brighter future by giving them a hand up they may need to get back on their feet. Families have a place to stay and access to resources such as education, jobs, and more. During November and December, your support will directly contribute to the well-being of families living in their residential program. Your gifts can be earmarked for a family of your choosing and can provide them with essentials such as gas cards, gift cards for personal hygiene items, funds for Christmas shopping, small vehicle repairs and winter coats and other clothing. Need more information? They welcome you to call Shaina at FFCC.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Selected to Participate in Thriving Communities Program
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth was one of 52 communities selected to participate in a program designed to help find solutions to safety and mobility challenges on high traffic corridors. Last week’s US Department of Transportation’s Thriving Communities Program was held in Washington, DC and paired Ellsworth city officials with a technical support team of project managers, engineers, and designers to address issues that impact the High Street corridor. City Planner Matthew Williams and Economic Development Director Janna Richards attended and also discussed issues such as stormwater, bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, and access to housing along the corridor. They say they also learned about additional resources, experiences, and practices from across the country that can be applied back home here in Ellsworth.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth City Planner Matthew Williams and Economic Development Director Janna Richards last week attended the US Department of Transportation’s Thriving Communities Program in the nation’s capital. Ellsworth was one of 52 communities selected to participate in the program, which is designed to help find solutions to safety and mobility challenges on high traffic corridors. Williams and Richards say they were paired with a technical support team of project managers, engineers, and designers to address issues that impact Ellsworth’s busy High Street corridor, including stormwater, bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, and access to housing. They say they also brought home information about additional resources, experiences, and practices from across the country that can be applied here in Ellsworth.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Movement Underway to Designate Frances Perkins Homestead as National Park
(New Castle) Frances Perkins is name with which few may be familiar. But Giovanna Gray Lockhart, Executive Director of the Frances Perkins Center in New Castle, tells Star 97.7, every one of us benefits from her work in Washington, DC, under FDR. (((Perkins 1 “…most important protections for workers.” :20))) Those protections include Social Security, the minimum wage, unemployment insurance … and she’s responsible for banning child labor. A movement is underway to designate her homestead as a national monument. You can sign the petition and learn more at frances perkins center dot org.
(New Castle) If you’ve ever received Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, or if you work a 40 hour week as opposed to unlimited hours at your employers’ whim, you have a woman who considered Maine her home to thank for that. Frances Perkins was the first woman in the US to hold a Cabinet position, serving under FDR. Giovanna Gray Lockhart, Executive Director of the Frances Perkins Center in New Castle, tells Star 97.7, a move is underway to designate the Perkins homestead as a National Monument. (((Perkins 2 “…to visit the beautiful place on the Coast of Maine.” :23))) To learn more and to add your name to a petition that will go to the President, visit frances perkins center dot org. Giovanna says so far they’ve collected thousands of signatures and received overwhelming support from citizens, the Governor, and local representatives.
(New Castle) Frances Perkins wasn’t born in Maine, but she considered Maine her home; and she returned here often from her work in Washington, DC to rejuvenate and to restore those good values she held dear and that helped shape her life-changing policies for workers. Giovanna Gray Lockhart, Executive Director of the Frances Perkins Center in New Castle, tells Star 97.7, all of us have benefitted from her policies championed under FDR. (((Perkins 3 “…she enshrined the 40 hour work week.” :18))) Perkins also advocated for immigrants and refugees, helping Jewish children emigrate to the US during the Holocaust and launching the Civilian Conservation Corp that put many unemployed Americans to work during the 1930s Great Depression.
(New Castle) Frances Perkins was the first woman in the US to hold a Cabinet position, serving under FDR. Her policies helped define the employee benefits all of us enjoy today, including Social Security, the minimum wage, the 40 hour work week, and the banning of child labor. Giovanna Gray Lockhart, Executive Director of the Frances Perkins Center in New Castle, tells Star 97.7 how the state she considered home influenced those decisions from which we all benefit today. (((Perkins 4 “…values that we so appreciate here in Maine.” :22))) Giovanna says it became a defining feature of Perkins’s leadership style that she brought to Washington, DC. To learn more and to sign an online petition to make her homestead a national monument visit frances perkins center dot org.
Ellsworth Recreation Commission Planning for 2024 Christmas Parade
(Ellsworth) (((Sfx Jingle Bells :03))) I know, I know – it’s not even Hallowe’en yet. But when you have a Christmas parade as grand as Ellsworth’s, you really have to plan ahead! The City of Ellsworth Recreation Commission has set the date for the 44th Annual Downtown Ellsworth Christmas Parade of Lights for December 7th, kicking off at 4 p.m. Inclement weather date is December 8th if needed. Parade Organizer Kimberly Fitch tells Star 97.7, this year’s theme is Christmas in Toyland. Again this year, the parade will be light themed, with participants encouraged to deck the halls … we mean, deck out their floats and vehicles with baubles and brights! Fitch encourages all community and civic groups, churches, businesses, schools and any entertainment to register and join in the festivities by emailing ellsworth christmas parade at gmail dot com. The City also announcing the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting from 3 to 5 p.m. on November 30th in the City Hall parking lot.
(Ellsworth) Break out the Nutcrackers, the dolls, the Tonka Trucks and Lincoln Logs – it’s time to start planning for the 44th Annual Downtown Ellsworth Christmas Parade of Lights! The City of Ellsworth Recreation Commission has set the date – December 7th – and the theme – Christmas in Toyland! Once again this year, the parade will be light themed, kicking off at 4 p.m. to light up the town with joy! Parade organizer Kimberly Fitch encourages all community and civic groups, churches, businesses, schools and any entertainment to register and join in the festivities by emailing ellsworth christmas parade at gmail dot com. Inclement weather date is December 8th. It may seem a little early, but with a parade this grand, you’ll ho-ho-hopefully WANT to plan ahead for the floats, fun, and festivities! The City also announcing the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be November 30th from 3 to 5 in the City Hall parking lot.
Sports
The Bruins on the ice Saturday, skating against the Utah Hockey Club in a non-conference matchup.
The MDI Marathon is Sunday.
The Patriots in Florida Sunday for a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Celtics off until Tuesday.