Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Ellsworth Fatal Crash
(Ellsworth) A 74 yo Ellsworth man died Friday evening after he was struck by a vehicle while apparently attempting to retrieve tools that had fallen off his truck. The Ellsworth Police Department tells Star 97.7, James Card had parked his vehicle at the intersection of the Bangor and Shore Roads and was walking in the SB travel lane of the Bangor Road shortly before 7:30 p.m. when he was struck by a Toyota Camry driven by 68 yo Robert Tallent of Surry. Tallent was not injured. Despite medical care given at the scene, Card succumbed to his injuries. The incident remains under investigation.
(Ellsworth) A tragic accident involving a car and a pedestrian Friday night claimed the life of an Ellsworth man. Ellsworth police say they believe 74 yo James Card had parked his vehicle at the intersection of the Bangor and Shore Roads and was attempting to retrieve tools that had fallen off his truck onto the Bangor Roadway about 7:30 p.m. when he was struck by a Toyota Camry driven by 68 yo Robert Tallent of Surry. Despite medical aid, Card died at the scene. Tallent was not injured. The Ellsworth Fire Department, Northern Lights Ambulance, and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the crash scene. The incident remains under investigation.
Human Remains Found in Bog in Lewiston
(Lewiston) Authorities are investigating the discovery of human remains in the Garcelon Bog in Lewiston. A nearby resident reportedly found the remains Saturday afternoon in the area at the end of Russell Street. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit is assisting in the investigation. Initial findings indicate the remains, which were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for identification, had been there for an extended period of time. Police say they do not believe there is any danger to the public.
(Lewiston) Authorities are working to identify human remains found in Lewiston Saturday. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, a nearby resident discovered the remains in the Garcelon Bog at the end of Russell Street and alerted police. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit and others were assisting Lewiston Police with the investigation. Initial findings indicate the remains had been there for a long period of time, and authorities say they do not believe there is any danger to the public.
Fire Destroys Garage on Tunk Lake Road
(Sullivan) Fire destroyed a garage on Tunk Lake Road in Sullivan Saturday afternoon. Multiple units responded to a report of heavy black smoke coming from 645 Tunk Lake Road about 4:30 p.m. A second call reported explosions from the garage. Crews from Sullivan, Sorrento, and Franklin responded to the scene. Gouldsboro and Winter Harbor provided water, and Lamoine, Trenton, Eastbrook and Milbridge covered for the responding towns. The garage was detached and was a total loss. No injuries were reported.
Fire Destroys Home on Pond Road in Gouldsboro
(Gouldsboro) Fire destroyed a home on Pond Road in Gouldsboro Friday. Authorities say no one was injured, but two dogs perished in the blaze. Crews were called back to the scene Saturday morning for a rekindle, but were able to extinguish the fire. Area firefighters have responded to multiple fires in the past week, battling harsh conditions, including sub-freezing temperatures and snow packed driveways that have sometimes made it difficult to reach burning structures.
Dover-Foxcroft Area Teens Honored for Heroism
(Dover Foxcroft) Three teenagers who saved a family from their burning home New Year’s Day were honored at a ceremony at Foxcroft Academy on Friday. 16 yo Colby Simmons, 15 yo Kaleb Weymouth, and 17 yo Charles Weymouth were headed home early New Year’s morning when they spotted a large fire at a home on North Stagecoach Road. They first banged on the doors of the home, then entered a portion of the home not yet involved in the fire, woke the occupants and helped them to safety. Members of the Dover Foxcroft Fire Department, State Fire Marshal’s Office, and State Legislators were on hand at the school Friday to present them with a plaque and herald the teens for their bravery. Well deserved.
Washington County Sheriff Backs Off Services to Municipal Police Departments
(Machias) Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis started the new year with a letter to municipal police departments in that county saying the sheriff’s office “will no longer be able to provide the same level of assistance as in the past.” The letter further noted the Sheriff’s Office had worked hard to fill gaps in the police departments’ schedules, but that staffing and budget issues had hit all law enforcement agencies hard. According to the letter, beginning in February, the WCSO will no longer handle calls in areas with police departments unless it is a matter of Public Safety or a Felony Level crime in progress. Less urgent complaints, such as late reports or not ongoing crimes or crashes, thefts, harassments, etc. will need to be handled by local departments, some of whom currently do not provide service 24/7 and/or on weekends, causing a strain on an already stretched-thin Sheriff’s Department.
(Machias) It’s no secret law enforcement agencies across the board are understaffed, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office is no exception. Sheriff Barry Curtis recently addressed the issue with a letter to that county’s towns which are served by municipal police departments that WCSO “will no longer be able to provide the same level of assistance as in the past.” According to the letter, beginning in February, the WCSO will no longer handle calls in areas with police departments unless it is a matter of Public Safety or a Felony Level crime in progress. Less urgent complaints, such as late reports or not ongoing assaults, criminal mischiefs, or crashes, and the like, will need to be handled by local departments, according to the letter. Sources say some rural police departments do not currently provide service 24/7 and/or on weekends, causing a strain on an already stretched-thin Sheriff’s Office.
Local Politics
Surry to Consider Short Term Rental Ordinance
(Surry) The Town of Surry plans to host two public sessions regarding a proposed short-term rental ordinance. The Ellsworth American reports the Select Board, like in many municipalities, is concerned about a shortage of housing in the village. Chairperson Mary Allen said the Board is beginning to address the issue, in part, by identifying the number of properties used as short-term rentals. The meetings are scheduled for January 29th at 6 p.m. and January 31st at 10 a.m., both in the Surry Fire Department Meeting Room. A draft of the proposed ordinance, which includes provisions for existing short term rentals, can be viewed on the town website.
(Surry) Surry is the latest of multiple municipalities across the state to consider a short-term rental ordinance to address the housing shortage. The Select Board has scheduled two public sessions on the proposed ordinance – January 29th at 6 p.m. and January 31st at 10 a.m. at the Surry Fire Department. Chairperson Mary Allen told the Ellsworth American the Board is beginning to address the issue, in part, by identifying the number of properties used as short-term rentals. A draft of the proposed ordinance, which includes provisions for existing short term rentals, can be viewed on the town website.
Economy
Belfast Votes on Cruise Ship Regulations
(Belfast) Smaller cruise ships only, please. That was the message signaled by the Belfast City Council last week when it voted unanimously to limit the size of cruise ships allowed to dock in the harbor. Last summer, the arrival of eight larger passenger ships and tour buses transporting passengers to nearby cities raised concerns about safety and congestion. Harbor Master Katherine Given said the only way around the issue was to limit the size of boats docking to 50 passengers. An official with the local Chamber of Commerce said the economic impact of cruise ship visitors did not have the impact it once had and that the City expects to recoup most lost revenue from the change through other means.
(Belfast) Last summer, Belfast hosted eight larger cruise ships, with passengers disembarking to tour buses waiting to transport them to nearby cities. For Harbor Master Katherine Given, the arrivals raised concerns about safety and navigation. Last week, the Belfast City Council agreed, voting unanimously to limit the size of cruise ships that are allowed in port to those with 50 or fewer passengers. An official with the local Chamber of Commerce said the economic impact of cruise ship visitors did not have the impact it once had and that the City expects to recoup most lost revenue from the change through other means.
Education
UMaine’s Forest Bioproducts Program Critical to Tech Hub Investment
(Augusta) The University of Maine is advancing plans to launch its Forest Bioproducts Technology Program, a critical component of the state’s Tech Hub that recently received $22M, designed to position the state as a global leader in forest-based biomaterial production and manufacturing. The Tech Hub’s goal is to accelerate research and development of natural polymers and other wood fiber bioproducts that can sequester carbon and replace plastics and toxic chemicals while bolstering “Made in America” supply chain goals.
Students Display Cross-Curricular Guitar Lesson
(Ellsworth) One student said until the project, he was your typical disinterested student when it came to learning. Another couldn’t stop showing off her beautiful results to every patron in the restaurant. Twenty-three students from Pemetic Elementary in SW Harbor had their electric guitars on display Saturday at Black Moon Public House, thanks to a collaboration between the school and Matt Manry, owner of Vinyl Vogue. Tech teacher Michael Brzewzowski explained to Star 97.7, the project was a collaboration between the school’s tech, music, and art teachers involving 7th and 8th graders making their own electric guitars from scratch – and yes, the instruments hook up to amps and play. Learning to play them will be the next set of lessons – we’re sure the kids will all be very into it.
Health
MDHHS Retracts Some Proposed Requirements for Assisted Living and Residential Care Facilities
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Health and Human Services last week eased back on staffing requirements proposed last November for assisted living and residential care facilities. The Maine Monitor reports the scope of the original proposal – the first update in 15 years – came as a shock to many in the industry and was met with opposition from residential care facility operators who said the costs associated with the change could put them out of business. The initially proposed regulations would have meant doubling the number of overnight direct care workers at such facilities and set stricter rules in memory care units that went beyond state and federal staffing requirements at nursing homes. The updated regulations are still higher than current staffing requirements, but are scaled back from the November proposal.
(Augusta) Maine DHHS in November put forth a proposal requiring changes in staffing for assisted living and residential care facilities that would have required a lower staff-to-patient ratio. The proposal was met with shock and pushback from residential care facility operators, who said the costs associated with the change could put them out of business. The initially proposed regulations would have meant doubling the number of overnight direct care workers at such facilities and set stricter rules in memory care units that went beyond state and federal staffing requirements at nursing homes. A second proposal offered last week requires regulations that are still higher than current staffing numbers, but that are scaled back from the November proposal.
Tarot for Tails Benefits SPCA of Hancock County
(Trenton) The cars were lined up all the way to the road before Noon, and the massage slots were filled an hour before the event ended Saturday. Tarot for Tails was a purr-fectly wonderful success for the SPCA of Hancock County, as the community turned out to have volunteers read their fortunes and massage away their winter blues. The cats and dogs so beautifully cared for by the SPCA benefitted from more than just the funds raised, they also received lots of interaction – with some even finding their fur-ever homes, like special-needs kitty Chips. A big thanks to everyone who turned out – and to the SPCA for all you do for the animals!
Sports
The Celtics home tonight against the Houston Rockets. The Bruins have the night off. And these local high school basketball games scheduled this evening – the Narraguagus Lady Knights take on the Calais Blue Devils; on the boys’ side, Jonesport-Beals vs. Shead, the Machias Bulldogs shoot hoops with the Sumner Tigers, Bucksport faces John Bapst, Narraguagus on the court against George Stevens, and Piscataquis takes on Searsport.
Duke freshman Cooper Flagg had 24 points, seven rebounds, and six assists Saturday to push No. 2 Duke past Wake Forest 53-56.