Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Tractor-Trailer Rollover
(Pittsfield) Authorities say a semi driver was likely traveling too close to the shoulder in a one-lane construction zone when his tractor-trailer rolled over last night on I-95 near Pittsfield. The incident happened just before 10 p.m. Sunday near mile marker 150 northbound. The driver was uninjured, and there were no construction workers on the job at the time. Traffic was being diverted off the Interstate, which was closed, but that has since reopened
(Pittsfield) A tractor-trailer rollover last night on I-95 Northbound in Pittsfield caused the road to be closed and traffic diverted off the interstate. Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, the crash occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday. It’s believed the driver was traveling too close to the shoulder in a single-lane construction zone. The driver was uninjured, and no workers were on the road construction site at the time. I-95 was opened again this morning in time for commuter traffic.
Structure Fire at Medical Marijuana Facility
(Gorham) The Gorham Fire Department responded to a structure fire Friday afternoon involving a County Road facility used for cultivating medical marijuana. Two employees initially attempted to knock down the fire at the 20,000 square foot facility, but it took fire crews to extinguish it completely. A preliminary investigation indicates the blaze began when a broken light fixture bulb fell onto a plastic table and smoldered before igniting.
(Gorham) Fire officials in Gorham say a blaze at a County Road facility used for cultivating medical marijuana began when a broken light fixture bulb fell onto a plastic table, smoldered, and then ignited. The fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. Friday. Two employees initially tried to put out the flames. It took crews from four area departments to completely knock down the fire at the 20,000 square foot structure. The two employees were treated for smoke inhalation.
State Suspends Hancock County Probate Judge from Practicing Law
(Maine) A judge has approved a petition from the Maine Board of Overseers asking that Hancock County Probate Judge William Blaisdell IV be suspended from practicing law for a year. Blaisdell has served as part-time probate judge since 2014. He’s faced multiple contempt of court charges for failing to pay court-ordered child support and legal fees to his ex-wife, including two such charges in Waldo County in just over a year.
(Maine) The Maine Board of Overseers this month filed a petition with the courts to suspend Hancock County Probate Judge William Blaisdell IV from practicing law for a year. Justice James Martemucci last week ruled in favor of the Overseers. Blaisdell, who has served as part-time probate judge since 2014, has faced multiple contempt of court charges for failing to pay court-ordered child support and legal fees to his ex-wife, including two such charges in Waldo County in just over a year.
Local Politics
Maine Stands Firm AsTitle IX Deadline Passes
(Augusta) The Trump Administration gave Maine until last Friday to comply with its interpretation of Title IX or said it would turn the issue over to the Justice Department. Maine continues to stand firm that it’s following the Maine Human Rights Act in allowing transgender athletes – just two confirmed in the state – to compete in high school sports. Maine Assistant Attorney General Sarah Forster on Friday sent an email to the US Department of Education acknowledging the state and the Trump Administration have reached an impasse, insisting nothing in Title IX prohibits schools from current policy, and citing rulings she said run contrary to the administration’s interpretation. The President almost immediately began directing consequences against the state – including cutting off funding that will affect hundreds of low income and other students who struggle academically.
(Augusta) Maine Assistant Attorney General Sarah Forster on Friday sent an email to the US Department of Education acknowledging the state and the Trump Administration have reached an impasse on Title IX, insisting nothing in Title IX prohibits schools from the current transgender athlete policy, and citing rulings she said run contrary to the administration’s interpretation. The President almost immediately began directing consequences against the state – including cutting off funding affecting hundreds of low income and other students who struggle academically. Senator Susan Collins issued a statement saying she would continue to advocate for federal funding for Maine, but that she disagrees with the state’s position on Title IX.
Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Unfreeze Nutrition Program Funds
(AP) A federal judge has ordered the Trump Administration to unfreeze funds intended for a Maine child nutrition program. The funds were suspended following a disagreement between the state and the President over transgender athletes. District Court Judge John Woodcock on Friday issued a temporary restraining order against the USDA. The lawsuit was brought by Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and involves millions of dollars awarded the child nutrition program and the summer meal program, both of which prevent Maine children from going hungry.
Economy
Ellsworth Public Library Receives National Grant
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Public Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in round three of an American Library Association initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve those with disabilities. The competitive award includes a $10,000 grant that will support the Library’s efforts to improve ADA-compliant accessibility and ensure inclusive access to all. The library will host a public community event this June 5th to gather input on the community’s most important needs and to ensure grant funds are used as effectively as possible.
(Ellsworth) Congratulations to the Ellsworth Public Library. They’ve been selected as one of 300 libraries nationwide to participate in an American Library Association initiative that will help them better serve those with disabilities – identified in the library’s 2024 survey as one of the top priorities. While library staff say the $10K grant alone won’t be able to fix all the problems, it will give them a good start. A June 5th public event is planned so that library staff can gather input on the community’s most important needs and to ensure grant funds are used as effectively as possible.
Kingfish Maine Continues Plans for Jonesport Aquaculture Operation
(Jonesport) Kingfish Maine will go ahead with plans of constructing a land-based aquaculture operation in Jonesport. The Netherlands-based company won a recent court victory – one of several – that affirmed the state permits for the site, according to MaineBiz, although the company says the legal battles have significantly delayed the project’s timeline. The company plans to produce yellowtail kingfish with recirculating aquaculture systems that operate on renewable electricity and seawater.
(Jonesport) The State Supreme Judicial Court has denied an appeal by opposition groups from Roque Island and elsewhere, hoping to prevent construction of a yellowtail kingfish operation in Jonesport. The appeal was one of many, all of which the courts denied in favor of Kingfish Maine, part of a Netherlands-based company. Kingfish says it can now move ahead with its Jonesport plans, according to MaineBiz, but that the legal battles have significantly delayed the construction of the aquaculture system first introduced in 2019.
Machias Savings Bank Pledges $25,000 to Acadia Housing Project
(MDI) Hats off to Machias Savings – the bank recently pledged $25,000 toward the Friends of Acadia affordable housing project for seasonal park workers. With new housing campuses, seasonal workers at Acadia National Park can avoid having to compete for housing, while Acadia will have a leg up on attracting the employees needed to maintain a quality visitor experience.
Education
Universities Face More Funding Freezes
(NYTimes) The Trump Administration says it will freeze more than a billion dollars in federal funding for Cornell University and around $790 million for Northwestern University while the government investigates alleged civil rights violations, stemming from the universities’ efforts to promote diversity. The schools say they’ve received no information to confirm the funding suspension, but Cornell officials issued a statement saying they had received more than 75 stop-work orders from the Department of the Defense affecting research they described as “profoundly significant to American defense, cybersecurity, and health.”
Environment
COA Researchers Study Humpback Whale Movement
(Bar Harbor) Researchers from College of the Atlantic joined scientists from around the world to study movement patterns of North Atlantic humpback whales. The study, published earlier this year, began as a graduate thesis of Lindsey Jones, a 2018 COA graduate. Researchers analyzed nearly 10K individual whales using photo ID records collected from 1980 to 2015 in a catalogue curated by Allied Whale. They tracked how whales moved between five feeding and three breeding areas, such as the Gulf of Maine and Canada. By identifying distinct migration patterns, scientists say they can more effectively target conservation efforts.
(Bar Harbor) A study by researchers at College of the Atlantic and scientists around the world gathered important findings centered on the movement patterns of North Atlantic humpback whales. The study began as a graduate thesis of Lindsey Jones, a 2018 COA graduate. The study, published earlier this year, analyzed nearly 10K individual whales using photo ID records of sightings from Norway to Cape Verde Islands and Canada collected and catalogued by Allied Whale. Researchers tracked how whales moved between five feeding and three breeding areas, such as the Gulf of Maine and Canada. By identifying distinct migration patterns, scientists say they can more effectively target conservation efforts.
Scallop Fishing Area Closed
(Maine) The Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area was closed Friday afternoon until annual catch limits can be established. The area is closed to all federally permitted limited access general category scallop vessels, although local fishermen in Maine and Massachusetts are still permitted to operate in state waters. The affected area runs the length of the coast of Maine and may be closed for up to a year, according to NOAA Fisheries.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Machias Town Office Goes to the Dogs
(Machias) The Machias Police Department went to the dogs last week. On Monday, the Police Station hosted a regular gathering of K9 units from around Maine. There was even one attendee who was … “collared”, shall we say, from Canada. Town Manager Sarah Craighead-Dedmon said pack members exhibited their finest behavior and kept their handlers in line as well. For her part, Sarah was so enamored, she invited folks to show up at HER office with their pups for a photo op.
(Machias) It was a doggone impressive sight in Machias last Monday when the Police Station there played host to a regular gathering of K9 units from around Maine. There was even one furry representative from Canada, who apparently hounded his handler until he agreed to make the trip. Machias Town Manager Sarah Craighead-Dedmon stopped by and enjoyed the pack so much, she invited folks to show up at HER office with their pups for a photo op. We’re guessing she’ll have some treats on hand, as well.
Tax Deadline
(Undated) And a quick reminder to mail in those tax return forms – tomorrow’s the deadline for filing for 2024.