Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Sabattus Shootings
(Sabattus) Three people are dead, including the shooter, and two people were wounded Wednesday afternoon as they traveled along Middle Road in Sabattus. Maine State Police say 29 yo James Davis III shot his mother, 47 yo Christine Smith, as the two were traveling on King Road near Route 9. Smith, who was driving, was killed. Her vehicle then traveled across the road, coming to a stop, at which point Davis exited and began shooting at passing vehicles, killing 53 yo Katherine Williams of Sabattus and hitting 19 yo Tyson Turner of Jay and 35 yo David Wilson of Hartford, both of whom were the sole occupants of their cars. Both those victims were taken to hospitals and are expected to survive. Davis then shot and killed himself. Multiple law enforcement agencies were on the scene through the night Wednesday, piecing together an investigation that officers say is ongoing.
(Sabattus) A tragic incident in Sabattus shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon left two people wounded and three people dead, including a shooter. Maine State Police believe 29 yo James Davis III was in the car with his mother, 47 yo Christine Smith, who was driving, when he had a mental crisis and shot her dead. Once the car veered off the road, Davis exited and began shooting at cars driving along Route 9. 53 yo Katherine Williams of Sabattus was shot and killed. Two other drivers, 19 yo Tyson Turner of Jay and 35 yo David Wilson of Hartford, were also shot and were hospitalized. Both those victims are expected to recover. Davis then fatally shot himself. Multiple law enforcement agencies continue working to process evidence and conduct witness interviews.
Economy
MRC Set to Begin Operations Next Week
(Hampden) The Municipal Waste Solutions facility in Hampden is set to once again begin operations on Monday. The facility will open under a new name, WasteHub, which officials say better reflects what they do. Initially operating as a transfer station, WasteHub says it will ramp up front-end recycling to be fully operational by late this year. MRC Director Michael Carroll said the operation will process 180,000 tons of mixed waste annually, helping to reduce landfill use while producing renewable natural gas and recyclable commodities. You can follow them on Facebook and on their website for updates.
(Hampden) No change in services, but when the Municipal Waste Solutions facility in Hampden opens next week, they’ll open under a new name. The MRC says WasteHub better reflects the facility as the central location where they extract value form the waste of 115 Maine communities. WasteHub will initially operate as a transfer station when it opens on Monday and will ramp up front end recycling to be fully operational by late this year.
SW Harbor Considers Four Day Work Week
(SW Harbor) Administrative employees at the SW Harbor town office are considering a Monday-through-Thursday, four-day work week. The Mount Desert Islander reports the logistics of the matter were discussed at the last Select Board Meeting. Proponents say it would lengthen hours for the public on days the town offices are open, with office hours adjusted to 7:30 to 5:30 on open days. The Maine Municipal Association says 45 towns already follow similar schedules.
(SW Harbor) Administrative employees at the SW Harbor town office have proposed a four-day work week, and the Select Board is reportedly open to the matter. The Mount Desert Islander reports hours would be adjusted to allow more accessibility to the public, with town offices open from 7:30 to 5:30 Mondays through Thursdays. The Maine Municipal Association says 45 towns already follow similar schedules.
Health
University of Maine Students Fight the Flu
(Orono) A group of students at the University of Maine is fighting the flu. No, they’re not sick. The mix of undergraduate and graduate students led by physics professor Sam Hess is learning about how influenza viruses mutate and hijack the cells of their host. The University said the group’s discoveries could lead to the creation of a universal flu treatment, with potential applications for other viruses to fend off the miseries of cold and flu season.
(Orono) The flu is really bugging a group of students at the University of Maine. So they’ve taken the issue to the classroom – not to spread the germs, but to find out how influenza viruses mutate and hijack the cells of their host. The research involves graduate and undergraduate students and is led by physics professor Sam Hess. The University says the group’s discoveries could lead to the creation of a universal flu treatment, and could even lead to applications for other viruses that make cold and flu season so miserable. And that’s nothing to sneeze at …
Houlton Regional to End Labor and Delivery Services
(Houlton) A fourth Maine hospital announced yesterday it will be closing its inpatient Labor and Delivery Unit. Houlton Regional Hospital said the closure will be effective May 2nd. In a social media post, hospital officials report the OB/GYN physician’s office will remain open and continue providing services. Like Mount Desert Island Hospital and Waldo County Hospital in Belfast, which announced similar closures this year, Houlton cited declining birth rates as a cause. Northern Light Inland Hospital in Waterville said ongoing staffing challenges led to the decision to close birthing services there last month. That hospital will close permanently on June 11th due to what they say are financial pressures and unsustainable costs.
(Houlton) Healthcare continues to grow more scarce in Maine, especially for expectant mothers hoping to deliver close to home. Mount Desert Island Hospital, Waldo County Hospital in Belfast, and Northern Light Inland Hospital have all announced closure of their birthing units in the past two months. Yesterday, Houlton Regional Hospital disclosed it will close its inpatient Labor and Delivery Unit on May 2nd. The facilities cited low birth rates and/or staffing issues as reasons for the closures. Northern Light Inland in Waterville will close down altogether on June 11th because of what it says are financial pressures and unsustainable costs.
Education
Maine Seacoast Mission Offering CPR and First Aid Courses for Fishermen
(Cranberry Isle) Fishing is dangerous business, and we can’t say enough how much we admire the men and women who haul in that fresh seafood catch for which Maine is famous. Maine Seacoast Mission wants to ensure their safety and health, so they’re partnering with Fishing Partnership Support Services to offer two CPR and First Aid Courses. One course will be held on Great Cranberry Island on Tuesday, April 15th, with a second course on Isle au Haut offered Thursday, April 17th. Classes run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are specifically designed for commercial fishermen. Those who complete the class will earn Adult First Aid/CPR and AED certification.
(Cranberry Isle) You never know when you’ll be called upon to administer First Aid or to perform CPR, especially if you’re one of those amazing folks who make their living on the open ocean. Maine Seacoast Mission is partnering with Fishing Partnership Support Services to offer two CPR and First Aid Courses, designed especially for commercial fishermen. The first course will be held Tuesday, April 15th on Great Cranberry Island; the second on Thursday, April 17th on Isle au Haut. Classes run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Those who complete the class will be certified in CPR/Adult First Aid, and use of AEDs.
Environment
Offshore Wind Project on Hold
(Portland) A developer for a Gulf of Maine offshore wind project has put the project on hold, citing the uncertainty of federal funding and support. Pine Tree Offshore Wind has requested talks be temporarily put on hold. While the request didn’t come as a surprise, the Portland Press Herald reports it still represents a blow to the state’s long-term efforts to position floating offshore wind as a major new source of clean energy and economic development.
(Portland) Pine Tree Offshore Wind has filed with the Public Utilities Commission for talks on an offshore wind project to be put on hold. The Portland Press Herald reports rising material costs worldwide and the current administration’s desire to dismantle the industry meant the request didn’t come as a surprise. But proponents of wind power say it’s a blow to the state’s long-term efforts to position floating offshore wind as a major new source of clean energy and economic development.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Road Work Updates
(Ellsworth) Some updates on Ellsworth road projects from Amanda at the Public Works Department. The Bridge Hill project will start in mid-April, although an exact date has not been set. The MDOT High Street Project will begin this Sunday, April 6th – that will be completed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. nightly. Crews will start with lowering manholes and other structures along the route. Grinding and then paving of the roadway will follow. Other local road projects will begin April 14th with paving of the Harbor Park Parking Lot. And don’t forget, the Hancock side of Washington Junction Road will be closed to all but local traffic April 22nd through the 26th for a Maine Department of Transportation project. Motorists there will detour via Thorsen Road. We’ll keep you posted on other dates and road improvements.
(Ellsworth) Night work along Routes 1, 1A and 3 in Ellsworth will begin Sunday. Work will take place between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. nightly through August. The project will begin on State Street near the Y, and will include Oak Street between Church and Main, High Street ending near Pat’s Pizza, Myrick Street, and Downeast Highway, ending near Darlings. The first phase will begin with lowering manholes and other structures, which they say could get noisy. That will be followed by grinding and then paving the roadway. Drivers are asked to use extra caution when driving in the area overnights.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Heart of Ellsworth, City Staff to Attend Main Street Now Conference
(Ellsworth) City of Ellsworth staff will join Heart of Ellsworth Board and Staff next week at the Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia. The annual conference aims to help local leaders enhance their communities’ social, civic, and economic fabric. The April 7-9 event will include networking opportunities with peers across the country in insightful education sessions, unique special events, and immersive mobile workshops. And, don’t forget, if your business or nonprofit wants to be part of the Heart of Ellsworth Seaweed Festival coming up later this month, be sure to get your name and/or ideas in soon!
March Madness
(Undated) It may be April, but March Madness continues this weekend. The NCAA Women’s College Basketball Final Four is tonight, with Texas taking on South Carolina at 7, followed by Connecticut shooting hoops with UCLA at 9. That National Championship Game is scheduled for Sunday at 3. On the men’s side, the Final Four meet Saturday, with Florida taking on Auburn at 6, followed by hometown freshman Cooper Flagg’s Duke hitting the hardwood against Houston shortly before 9. The Men’s National Championship game will be played Monday night in San Antonio.
DeMeyer Field Construction Continues
(Ellsworth) If you pass by DeMeyer Field in Ellsworth, you’ll notice the Rotary Club of Ellsworth project is making great progress. This week, bocce ball courts were laid out and the playground is ready to be assembled. Club members thank E.L. Shea and crew for the amazing work being done. The DeMeyer Field pathway is now complete, thanks to R.F. Jordan and Sons Construction, who Rotary members say has also been instrumental in completion of other work at the field. The Rotary Club last year raised more than $130,000 for upgrades at DeMeyer.
(Ellsworth) Last year, it was all a bit of a dream. Now, the bocce ball courts are laid out, the pathway is complete, and the playground at DeMeyer Field in Ellsworth awaits assembly. The Rotary Club of Ellsworth says the project is making great progress, thanks to R.F. Jordan and Sons Construction and E.L. Shea and crew. The Rotary Club last year raised more than $130,000 toward improvements at the field.