Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Gouldsboro Woman Reports Fraud Attempt
(Gouldsboro) A Gouldsboro resident this week reported a case of attempted fraud. The Hancock County Sheriff’s office reports to Star 97.7 the woman received a call from someone claiming to be from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office. The caller used the names of real deputies from that office and advised her of outstanding warrants to which she needed to respond. Realizing she was being scammed, the woman disconnected the call. She was advised law enforcement will never call asking for payment of bonds or bail over the phone and given tips on how to protect herself and her personal information.
(Gouldsboro) A woman in Gouldsboro this week reported an attempted scam. The woman called the Hancock County Sheriff’s office to say she had received a call from someone claiming to be from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s office and using the names of deputies from that office. The woman realized the call was an attempted fraud when the caller advised her she had outstanding warrants that needed attention. She was advised law enforcement will never call asking for payment of bonds or bail over the phone and given tips on how to protect herself and her personal information.
Lincoln Shooting
(Lincoln) A person is dead as the result of a shooting in Lincoln Wednesday morning. Authorities say a caller reported the shooting at a residence on Mohawk Road shortly before 9:30. Law enforcement officers responded and found the victim dead at the scene. The body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to positively determine the cause and manner of death. Maine State Police say they believe it is an isolated incident with no ongoing safety concerns.
(Lincoln) Few details currently available, but a person has died after a shooting yesterday in Lincoln. Police say they received a 9-1-1 call shortly before 9:30 Wednesday morning reporting the shooting at a residence on Mohawk Road. Authorities responded and found the victim dead at the scene. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause and manner of death. Maine State Police say the incident appears to be an isolated one and that there is no danger to the public at this time.
Gardiner Call Prompts MSP Investigation
(Gardiner) A concerning call to an outpatient facility in Gardiner Wednesday morning prompted the facility to contact law enforcement and sent area schools into a lock in. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, a man contacted MaineGeneral Gardiner and left a voicemail expressing frustration and comments that raised concern with the staff. Out of an abundance of caution, the facility was then closed for the day. Authorities say a short time later, the individual who made the call checked himself into a local hospital for evaluation. Police continue to investigate the incident.
(Gardiner) Maine State Police are investigating a Wednesday morning incident in Gardiner that caused an outpatient facility to close for the day and sent local schools into a lock in. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, a man contacted MaineGeneral Gardiner and left a voicemail expressing frustration and comments that raised concern with the staff. Law enforcement was contacted and out of an abundance of caution, the facility then closed. A short time later, authorities say the caller checked himself into a local hospital for evaluation. Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
Public Service Campaign Raises Awareness About Fraud
(Undated) On that note, a new public service ad airing on radio and television stations aims to bring awareness to attempted fraud. MaineBiz reports in the 30-second spot, and older lady answers the phone, only to be told her grandchild is in trouble and needs money. The grandparent then asks the caller for the family code word, which prompts the AI generated caller to hang up. Launched this week, the campaign suggests every family have such a code word. The ad is also running on social media.
(Undated) The Federal Trade Commission reports fraud and phone scams cost Americans more than $10B in 2023 – a 14% increase over the year before. Now, a 30-second public service announcement running on radio and TV is designed to bring awareness to such deception. MaineBiz reports in the ad, an older woman answers her phone and is told her grandson is in trouble and needs money. When she asks for the family code word – something experts say everyone should have – the AI generated caller hangs up. Launched this week, the ad is also running on FB, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
Animals Rescued from Home in Norridgewock
(Norridgewock) Another alleged case of animal abuse – this time in Norridgewock. The Morning Sentinel says dozens of dogs, including more than 50 Shih Tzus, along with a few cats, were rescued from inhumane conditions at the Norridgewock home where they were found. WABI-TV reached out to the state, which confirmed the rescue but could not provide further details. Sources said the dogs were dirty and matted and some had significant health issues. The dogs and cats were taken to various shelters, including Midcoast Humane, which says ten of the dogs there are already available for adoption.
(Norridgewock) Dozens of animals, including more than 50 Shih Tzu breed dogs and several cats, were seized recently from a home in Norridgewock. The Morning Sentinel reported the animals were rescued by Maine’s Animal Welfare program, which said the animals were living in inhumane conditions. The dogs and cats were taken to The American Refuge League of Greater Portland, the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, and Midcoast Humane Society, which says ten of the dogs there are already awaiting adoption.
U.S. Border Patrol Adjusts Hours at Northern Points of Entry
(Maine) Persons looking to cross the border between the U.S. and Canada may find adjusted hours, beginning at Midnight on January 6th. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency, will adjust hours at 38 ports of entry along the northern border. Not a lot of change here in Maine – Monticello will maintain current operating hours, but will close on U.S. and Canadian holidays. Also, hours between the two countries will be aligned as follows: Limestone will continue to operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Orient 7 to 7 from Memorial Day to Labor Day and 7 to 5 the remainder of the year, and Vanceboro will continue to operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
(Maine) Changes are coming to 38 Ports of Entry between the U.S. and Canada. Here in Maine – Monticello will maintain current operating hours, but close on U.S. and Canadian holidays. Hours between the two countries will be aligned at Limestone, Orient, and Vanceboro. In New Hampshire, Pittsburg will permanently maintain the current hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are half a dozen changes at the Vermont/Canada crossings. You can find all the changes on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. The changes go into effect at Midnight on January 6th. Officials say the changes will allow the CBP to increase border security while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade and travel, with some officers being deployed to busier ports of entry.
Economy
Maine Sees Drop in Number of Tourists
(Maine) Maine saw about 9% fewer tourists this summer compared with last year. The Portland Press Herald reports that’s at least in part because of a lack of available housing and fewer visitors staying with friends and family or in second homes. In spite of that drop in visitors, those who did come spent more per person. The total direct spending for summer 2024 was $5.15 billion. Winter visits were up about the same amount as summer visits were down, with the state registering a 9.3% increase.
(Maine) It may not have seemed like it if you were in Bar Harbor, at Acadia National Park, or at other tourist hot spots in Maine this summer, but visitation by tourists was down about 9% compared to 2023. The Portland Press Herald reports contributing factors include a lack of available housing and fewer visitors staying with friends or family in second homes. Those who did enjoy our beautiful vacationland this summer spent more per person, adding $5.15 billion to the Pine Tree State’s economy. And balancing things out, number crunchers say WINTER visitation was UP about 9.3% last year.
Maine Spending, GDP on the Rise, but Labor Still a Serious Concern
(Maine) Maine’s GDP and research and development spending are on the rise, according to a recent benchmark report cited in MaineBiz. But wages fell slightly in 2023, and the state’s labor force grew by a sparse 1%. The report, released Wednesday by the Maine Economic Growth Council, tracks 31 indicators of the state economy. The growth in Maine’s labor force number was higher than the fall-off after the pandemic, but at 687,000 was still far short of the goal of reaching 710,000 by the year 2030.
(Maine) As the state with the country’s oldest median age, Maine continues to face a dire shortage of workers across all industries and regions. That was one finding of a report released Wednesday by the Maine Economic Growth Council. MaineBiz reports Maine’s GDP and research and development spending are on the rise, but businesses continue to struggle with finding workers. In other findings, the state’s annual average wage, adjusted for inflation, is up 10% from 2018, but was down point-two percent from the 2022 level. And income gaps persist, with the median earnings of female workers at just 85% of the median wage of male workers.
State to Receive $1.9M for Lobster Research
(Washington, DC) Seven projects in Maine will share $1.9M in funding for the American Lobster Research Program. The grant program supports projects that address critical knowledge gaps about American lobster and its fishery in a dynamic and changing environment. Maine’s congressional delegation said the funding will be shared by the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries, the University of Maine, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, and the Wells National Estuarine Reserve.
(Washington, DC) Maine’s Congressional Delegation Wednesday announced seven projects in Maine will share nearly $2M in federal funding for lobster research programs. 2024 award recipients include the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries, the University of Maine, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, and the Wells National Estuarine Reserve, while 2023 awards will benefit the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bigelow (Big-uh-low) Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. The funding will support projects that address critical knowledge gaps about American lobster in a changing environment and a study of ecosystem shifts and the American lobster population.
Education
Inaugural Maine Apprenticeship Summit
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Labor’s Maine Apprenticeship Summit drew more than 200 business professionals to the inaugural event Monday in Augusta. Governor Janet Mills kicked off the summit by declaring this week National Apprenticeship Week. MDOL says the Maine Apprenticeship program is a career development program that’s fast, flexible and proven to yield the skilled workers Maine needs. Employers and others can find more information at apprenticeship dot maine dot gov.
(Augusta) Speaking of the workforce in Maine, more than 200 business professionals Monday attended the Inaugural Maine Apprenticeship Summit in Augusta. The conference kicked off with an address by Governor Janet Mills, who declared this week National Apprenticeship Week. Attendees at the sold out event were treated to talks by both regional and national speakers. The Maine Department of Labor says the program is a career development program that’s fast, flexible and proven to yield the skilled workers Maine needs. For more information, you can visit apprenticeship dot maine dot gov.
Sports
Bruins home tonight against Utah. It will be their first game under Assistant Jim Sacco after the Bruins fired Head Coach Jim Montgomery earlier this week.
The Celtics have another night off – they’ll be entering the group stage of the NBA Cup Friday against the Wizards in the nation’s capital.