Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
US Coast Guard Releases Report on De-masting of Schooner Grace Bailey
(Rockland) The U.S. Coast Guard yesterday released the results of an investigation into the de-masting of the Schooner Grace Bailey in Penobscot Bay in Rockland. The Schooner was about a mile east of Rockland on October 9th, 2023, returning from a five-day fall foliage cruise with 33 passengers, when its 75-foot mast splintered and snapped, killing 40 yo Emily Mecklenburg, a doctor at Pen Bay Medical Center, and injuring several others. At the time of the incident, it was speculated water had somehow gotten into the mast of the1882-built ship, causing localized rot and leading to the mast’s collapse. Investigators Thursday issued nine safety and two administrative recommendations, including for collaboration between organizations like Tall Ships America, the US Forest Service and others, in order to ensure the integrity of wooden mast material. The full report can be found at news dot u s c g dot m i l.
Lockbox Giveaway
(Old Town) Maine Gun Safety Coalition volunteers next week will join law enforcement in hosting free lockbox giveaways as part of National Night Out events. On Tuesday, August 5th, they’ll be in Old Town and four other locations throughout the state to hand out free firearm lock boxes to families with children in the household. The giveaway is part of an effort to promote the secure storage of firearms in the home and help prevent unnecessary tragedies.
Barriers on Penobscot Narrows Bridge Likely Already Preventing Suicides
(Bucksport) Barrier fencing installed this summer on the Penobscot Narrows Bridge is likely already preventing suicides. The Bangor Daily News reports earlier in July, the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office responded to a late night call of a person “displaying suspicious behavior” on the bridge. The person was located and indicated had the barriers not been installed, they likely would have jumped. The curved fences went up in May, nearly two decades after the bridge, which rises 135 feet over the Penobscot River, was opened. The span has been the site of at least fourteen suicides, prompting families of those who jumped to advocate for the fencing as a deterrent. Anyone feeling depressed or suicidal is urged to call 988 or chat at 988 lifeline dot org.
Local Politics
Order of November Referendum Questions Established
(Augusta) Voters this November will be asked to weigh in on two important referendum questions, which according to Maine law, must be ordered on the ballot according to specific criteria. The Secretary of State’s Office on Thursday announced the order will be as follows: Question One: Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections? Question Two asks voters to decide on the so-called red flag law regarding gun possession by persons deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.
Pingree Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Support Distribution of Local Food
(Washington, DC) When it comes to food, it doesn’t get any better than local. This week, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, a longtime farmer, led a bipartisan group in introducing the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act to boost the purchasing and distribution of local food. The legislation is designed to help build stronger connections between local producers and community food programs and aims to expand markets and access to healthy food for those in need. The Act would allow states to establish cooperative agreements through the USDA, connecting local farmers and producers with local food distribution organizations. It also sets aside funds to purchase food specifically from small, mid-size, beginning and veteran farmers.
Maine Voter Turnout A Mixed Bag
(Maine) Maine has some of the highest voter turnout in the country – in November elections. But when it comes to summer town meetings, there’s more often a low voter turnout. That means a handful of voters often make a boatload of important decisions. The Morning Sentinel reports at a recent town meeting in Oakland regarding one controversial issue, only 25 people – or point-zero-five percent of the electorate – turned out. The measure passed by a wide margin. In Litchfield, Wales, and Sabattus, voters approved a school budget on a second try with just 7.2% of voters showing up to make that decision. One person commented that such turnout indicates “a remarkably unengaged electorate”. Said Litchfield voter Gretchen Gardener who showed up for the school vote despite not having kids in the system, “Voting is our one way our voice can really matter – we really all should have that strong responsibility …and you can’t be too upset about the outcomes .. if you don’t get out and vote.”
Economy
Swan’s Island Store for Sale
(Swan’s Island) Ever dreamed of living on an island off the coast of Maine? Here’s your opportunity … along with an instant way to connect with others who live on Swan’s Island. The Mount Desert Islander reports the Island Market & Supply Store is up for sale. The asking price is just under $400K for the business that keeps Swan’s Islanders stocked with goods and supplies. Current owners, Brian and Kathy Krafjack – who bought the business in 2014 with no retail experience – say it’s essential the new owners keep the roughly 500 square foot building a store, as the islanders depend on it. The Krafjacks, who packed up their lives in Connecticut to move to the island, say offshore living is an adventure, and they’ve found the small community beyond welcoming. They plan to continue a second business they started on Swan’s Island. The store, fondly known as TIMS, is listed with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Masiello Group.
Environment
New Tick Carries Yet Another Deadly Disease
(Maine) Researchers say they’ve discovered rabbit ticks in Maine carrying a new type of bacteria that can cause spotted fever rickettsioses, or SFR, an infection that can be deadly in humans. Seacoast Online reports the risk is currently low – of the close to 300 ticks collected from 38 towns in Maine, just over 6% carried SFR. The counties in the study included Hancock, Knox, Penobscot, Waldo and five others. The disease has not been found in dog ticks, the usual disease vectors in the area. The researchers noted rabbit ticks are typically uncommon in Maine and don’t usually feed on people. They say of greater concern is the black-legged tick, also known as the deer or bear tick, because of the prevalence of the Lyme-disease carrying pest.
Health
Maine Veterans’ Home Honored
(Machias) The Maine Veterans’ Home in Machias was honored Thursday with the Safety and Health Award for Public Employers, or SHAPE Award from the Maine Department of Labor. The award recognizes public sector employers who maintain an exemplary safety and health management system. The Maine Veterans’ Homes is one of 96 locations in the state to receive the award, and the second of the Veterans’ Homes, joining the Caribou location.
Penobscot County Medical School Could Bring Physicians to Area
(Penobscot County) There’s no doubt a great need for more physicians in Maine. A medical school in Penobscot County could contribute to the state’s supply of doctors; but the Bangor Daily News reports the plan faces multiple obstacles. Among them, changes in federal funding, student loan uncertainty and financial turmoil at Northern Light Health and in the University of Maine system. Still, with the pressing need for doctors, officials say there’s an ongoing study to determine whether bringing the first public medical school to Maine is feasible. The University received $75K from the Legislature to further the study, with recommendations due to the Legislature by November.
Infrastructure
Portland International Jetport Completes Upgrades
(Portland) The Portland International Jetport has finished a multi-million dollar concourse expansion. MaineBiz reports the project included adding three passenger boarding bridges, seven ADA accessible all-gender toilets, a service animal relief area, an adult changing station and ground power and pre-conditioned air units. The concourse was expanded by 4200 square feet at a cost of about $21.6M.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Downeast Restorative Harvest Garden Seeks Volunteers
(Machias) Come get down and dirty for a good cause! The Downeast Restorative Harvest Garden in Machias needs your help. The garden is a joint project between Healthy Acadia and the Washington County Jail, engaging incarcerated individuals, people in recovery, agricultural experts, and volunteers in many aspects of food production. Dig in Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 10 a.m. all summer long, at 73 Broadway in Machias. Learn hands-on gardening skills, make connections, and enjoy sunny days, while helping grow food for the community. Contact Healthy Acadia to learn more.
EPL Honors Long Time Genealogy Researcher
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Public Library this week surprised a long-time staff member with a plaque honoring her years of service. The retiring Charlene Clemens was presented with the honorary plaque commemorating her commitment to the library and its Genealogy Collection over the past 30 years. Clemens says her work was guided by the belief that, “If you don’t know where you came from, you don’t know who you are.” An updated Genealogy Page can be found on the library’s website. It includes close to 30 links to digital resources compiled by Clemens. The next time you’re in, visit the Genealogy Balcony and enjoy it and the many other resources available at the Ellsworth Public Library.
Social Media Star from Maine Follows Mr. Rogers’s Lead on Controversial Stance(Maine) Growing up in Maine, Rachel Griffin Accurso never missed her favorite show – Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. These days, millions of children around the world compare the 42 yo to her idol as they watch Ms. Rachel’s (as she’s known) educational videos on YouTube and Netflix. Lately, Accurso says she’s been thinking a lot about how Mr. Rogers used his platform as an ordained Presbyterian minister and devout pacifist to champion civil rights by inviting an actor portraying a Black policeman, Officer Clemons, to share his wading pool … at a time many White Americans were fiercely against desegregation. The Washington Post reports Accurso has been working on an episode on friendship that will feature a three-year-old double amputee from Gaza who lost both legs in an Israeli airstrike, keeping her commentary focused on the humanity of all children. She says she’s already been the subject of derision from some media outlets and expects further backlash when the episode airs this fall. But Accurso keeps a screenshot of Mr. Rogers and Officer Clemons on her phone for inspiration and as a reminder of a time her idol used his platform to convey a difficult but principled message.
Body of Soldier Missing During Korean War Identified, Returning to Milbridge
(Milbridge) The body of a Maine soldier killed in the Korean War is coming back home to Milbridge. Army Corporal Oscar L. Sprague was reported missing on September 3, 1950. The 22 yo was a member of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. In April, his remains were positively identified as part of a 2018 proposal by the Defense POW/MIA Agency to identify the remains of more than 600 unidentified soldiers. Sprague’s family was briefed on the identification process. They say Sprague will be buried next month in his hometown of Milbridge.