Election Day
Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Ellsworth Man to Serve Time for Allegedly Failing to Pay Taxes
(Ellsworth) An Ellsworth man who authorities say failed to pay nearly $190K in state income taxes will serve 60 days in jail. The Bangor Daily News reports 50 yo Cary Harper was given a deferred sentence after he plead guilty in 2022 to not paying state taxes or filing state tax returns from 2013 to 2016. Harper, a scallop fisherman, was given a deferred sentence and agreed to file and pay his state income taxes going forward, but failed to comply with the terms of his sentence. As a result, he was sentenced to 364 days in jail, with all but 60 days suspended.
(Ellsworth) An Ellsworth man began serving a 60 day sentence in the Hancock County Jail on Friday for allegedly failing to pay nearly $190K in state income taxes. The Bangor Daily News reports 50 yo Cary Harper was given a deferred sentence after he plead guilty in 2022 to not paying state taxes or filing state tax returns from 2013 to 2016. Harper, a scallop fisherman, was given a deferred sentence and agreed to file and pay his state income taxes going forward, but failed to comply with the terms of his sentence. As a result, he was sentenced to 364 days in jail, with all but 60 days suspended.
New Marine Patrol Vessel to be Stationed in Jonesport
(Jonesport) A new Maine Marine Patrol vessel has quite the local roots. The P/V Sentinel II was recently launched in South Bristol and will be stationed in Jonesport. The vessel’s hull and top were provided by SW Boatworks in Lamoine, the engine by Billings Diesel and Marine in Stonington, and the vessel built and finished by Farrin’s Boat Shop in Walpole. The PV Sentinel II will replace the 25 yo P/V Maine. The boat will patrol from Harrington to the Canadian border under the direction of Specialist Jason Leavitt.
(Jonesport) There will be a new Maine Marine Patrol Vessel patrolling the waters between Harrington and the Canadian border. And it has quite the local ties. The P/V Sentinel II was recently launched in South Bristol and will be stationed in Jonesport. The vessel’s hull and top were provided by SW Boatworks in Lamoine, the engine by Billings Diesel and Marine in Stonington, and the vessel built and finished by Farrin’s Boat Shop in Walpole. The PV Sentinel II will replace the 25 yo P/V Maine. Maine Marine Patrol Colonel Matt Talbot said the new vessel will serve as the cornerstone for officers’ at-sea patrol work in Eastern Maine for years to come, adding, “I can’t think of a better place on the coast for Patrol to have a “Beals Island-style” patrol boat than Jonesport-Beals.”
Local Politics
Ellsworth City Hall Dedicates Today and Tomorrow to Election Business
(Ellsworth) It could be a long few days, with some saying we might not know election outcomes right away. City Hall in Ellsworth will be open for election-related business only today. Additionally, City Hall will remain closed for all services on Wednesday, November 6. The closure includes City Hall based departments, excluding Fire Department response. Services such as car registrations, tax payments/inquiries, purchasing trash stickers, IFW licenses, shellfish licenses, vital records, business licenses and similar tasks will resume November 7th. Other municipalities may also have altered hours.
(Ellsworth) Today’s election could be like none other, with many saying we might not know the final outcomes right away. With that in mind, some towns and cities will be altering their hours of service. City Hall in Ellsworth will be open for election-related business only today. Additionally, City Hall will remain closed for all services on Wednesday, November 6. The closure includes City Hall based departments, excluding Fire Department response. Services such as car registrations, tax payments/inquiries, purchasing trash stickers, IFW licenses, and similar tasks will resume November 7th.
Mainers to Vote on Five Referendum Questions
(Augusta) If you’re voting in person today, you’ll be asked to weigh in on five referendum questions. Question One is a citizen initiative asking if you want to limit the spending of PACs or Political Action Committees, that attempt to influence election outcomes. Question Two asks if you favor a $25M bond issue to be awarded competitively for public and private institutions in support of technological innovation, and Question Three asks if you favor a $10M bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by non-profits and government organizations, with a 25% contingency match. The questions are clearly worded on the ballots, and we’ll have more on all five questions in our newscasts throughout the morning.
(Augusta) If you’re voting in person today, you’ll be asked to weigh in on five referendum questions. Question Four asks voters if they favor a $30M bond issue to invest in the design, development, and maintenance of our multi-use statewide trails – used by hikers, ATVers, cyclists and others. Funds would need to be matched by at least $3M in private and public contributions. Question 5? The all important state flag question. A Yes vote would be to change the current flag to the Pine Tree Flag that was similar to the state’s original flag. A No vote opposes changing the state flag in favor of keeping the more detailed flag with a pine tree, a moose, a farmer, seaman, and other details on a blue background. The questions are clearly worded on the ballots, and we’ll have more on all five questions in our newscasts throughout the morning.
Maine Expects High Voter Turnout
(Augusta) Maine is once again expecting a high voter turnout today on Election Day. While thousands have already voted absentee, others hold out for the in-person experience. The Pine Tree state boasted the country’s highest voter turnout in 2022, when 61.8% of Maine’s citizens who were eligible to vote cast their ballots. The national rate that year was just under 47%. Voting places open between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., depending on the population of the municipality, with all polls closing at 8 p.m. today. If there’s a line and you’re IN line when the polls close, you must be allowed to vote.
(Augusta) Eligible voters in Maine take that privilege seriously, boasting the country’s highest voter turnout in 2022, with nearly 62% of those registered casting their ballots. The national rate that year was a little under 47%. While thousands in the Pine Tree State have already voted absentee, election officials are once again expecting a record turnout at the polls today. Polls open between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., depending on the population of a town or city, with all polls closing at 8 p.m. today. But know that if you’re IN line when the polls close, you must be allowed to vote, even if it’s past 8.
Economy
Sardine Industry Listening Session
(Lubec) For more than a hundred years, beginning in the 1880’s and lasting until the end of the 20th century, Lubec and Eastport were the sardine capitals of the world. The sardines canned there were actually little herring, the fish that provided a basis of another mainstay fishery in the area – smoked herring. Sardine canneries lined the wharves and provided a thriving livelihood. The Penobscot Marine Museum wants to hear from former sardine cannery workers and community stakeholders. On November 12th, they’re partnering with the Sunrise County Economic Council for listening sessions about the economic, cultural, and social impact of the collapse of Maine’s sardine industry. The event will be held at 10 a.m. at the Lubec Community Outreach Center. We’ve posted an email address with this story on our Star 97.7 Local News page if you’d like to learn more.
(Lubec) Maine’s sardine industry began in Eastport in the 1870’s, spread to Lubec and grew phenomenally for more than a hundred years. Growth was dramatic, canneries lined the streets of both towns, providing good jobs and livelihoods for growing families, and the towns were known as the sardine capitals of the world. Sadly, government regulations and other issues brought an end to the industry in the early 21st Century. The Penobscot Marine Museum wants to hear from former sardine cannery workers and community stakeholders. On November 12th, they’re partnering with the Sunrise County Economic Council for listening sessions about the economic, cultural, and social impact of the collapse of Maine’s sardine industry. The event will be held at 10 a.m. at the Lubec Community Outreach Center. We’ve posted an email address with this story on our Star 97.7 Local News page if you’d like to learn more.
(A big thank you to Edward L. Hawes, and the Lubec and Maine Historical Societies for information for this story!)
Environment
Taurid Meteor Showers
(Maine) If you find yourself wide awake tonight, worrying about the future of our country, take your mind off it all and go look up at the sky. If the skies happen to be clear, you might be fortunate enough to see a meteor or 3 or 5 around 2 A.M. It’s the peak of the South Taurid meteor shower, and there’s no bright moon to interfere. If you miss tonight’s show, the North Taurids will be most active on November 12th.
(Maine) If you’re tired of the political show and ready for something brighter, the South Taurid meteor shower will peak Wednesday morning about 2 a.m. With no bright moon to interfere, we just have to hope for clear skies. And if you miss tomorrow morning’s show, the North Taurids are expected to be most active on November 12th. Let’s hope they’re an omen of good things to come.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Road Work
(Ellsworth) Some upcoming roadwork in Ellsworth this week to tell you about. Weather permitting, the Highway Crew will begin night work Wednesday about 10 p.m. They’ll be paving sections of Bayside Road that were excavated last week. Bayside Road will be fully closed from Foster Street to Beechland Road; however, local traffic can access homes from the Beechland Road side.
(Ellsworth) Some paving work in Ellsworth this week, happening in the overnights. Weather permitting, the Highway Crew will begin night work Wednesday about 10 p.m. They’ll be paving sections of Bayside Road that were excavated last week. Bayside Road will be fully closed from Foster Street to Beechland Road; however, local traffic can access homes from the Beechland Road side. A big thanks to the City of Ellsworth for providing us with weekly updates so we can all plan ahead.
Portland International Jetport Plans Upgrades
(Portland) The Portland International Jetport will spend nearly $5M on improvements to the state’s largest airport. The Portland Press Herald reports the money will fund upgrades to the terminal building and parking garage and fund a new over-the-water flight path meant to reduce neighborhood noise complaints.
(Portland) A $5M infrastructure project is in the works at the Portland International Jetport. The Portland Press Herald reports the state’s largest airport has plans to upgrade the passenger terminal building and parking garage and fund a new over-the-water flight path that will reduce neighborhood noise complaints.
Lamoine Considers Taking Over Cemetery Care
(Lamoine) The Marlboro Cemetery in Lamoine holds the graves of a handful of veterans and other respected community members. But the privately owned site fell into disrepair after the organization that managed the cemetery for decades went defunct. Now, the Ellsworth American reports, the town is considering taking over maintenance. But officials say the process of taking over the graveyard entails extensive legal documentation, deeds and attorneys; and the source for much of the information needed is now gone. Future Select Board meetings will address the issue and provide the town with updates.
(Lamoine) Any cemetery where a veteran is buried must be kept in good condition – that’s according to state law. But maintenance is a complex issue for a small plot in Lamoine. The Ellsworth American reports the Marlboro Cemetery contains gravestones that date back to the Civil War. It was meticulously maintained until the organization that cared for the privately owned site went defunct as members mostly died off themselves. Now, the town is considering taking over care of the site; but it’s not as easy as cleaning up the brush and refurbishing the gravestones. Town officials say the transfer involves extensive legal documentation, deeds and attorneys; and the source for much of the information needed is now gone. The issue will reportedly be discussed at future Select Board meetings and the town provided with updates.
YMCA Has New Blue Hill Branch Director
(Blue Hill) A big Star 97.7 welcome to Sara Trafton – The Downeast Family Y has hired Trafton as the new Branch Director for the Blue Hill YMCA. Trafton describes herself as a “Y brat” who hails from a family of YMCA Directors. She recently served as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor.
Sports
The Celtics beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-93. Celtics back home tomorrow night to take on the Golden State Warriors.
Bruins in Toronto tonight to skate against the Maple Leafs
The defending Class C North regional champion George Stevens Academy boys’ soccer team will play for the regional crown Wednesday at Hermon High School.