Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Lizard on the Loose in Old Town
(Old Town) It looks like a miniature brontosaurus, but a large lizard on the loose is actually what’s known as tegu. Old Town Police say the lizard, which was seen near Hillside Avenue, is not inherently aggressive but does have sharp teeth and claws and strong jaws, can grow up to four feet long, and weigh ten pounds or more. Authorities would like to know who owns the reptile, which is native to Argentina and is considered an invasive species. Also, they say, if you spot the reptile, don’t approach it but call Old Town Police.
Fairfield Fire
(Fairfield) Investigators say an electrical malfunction was the likely cause of a structure fire in Fairfield Saturday night. The fire was called in about 9 p.m. and ultimately destroyed a home on Martin Stream Road. The homeowner was not at home when the blaze occurred. While further investigation is needed, the State Fire Marshal’s Office reports preliminary findings indicate the fire likely originated from an electrical source within the ceiling or wall of the home’s addition.
Bucksport Fire
(Bucksport) A malfunctioning dryer caused a fire Sunday morning at a two-unit apartment building on Route One in Bucksport. Investigators say the blaze originated in the bathroom of the first floor unit. Firefighters encountered smoke and flames upon arriving at the scene about 11 a.m. Sunday. The building has been deemed uninhabitable. No human tenants or first responders were injured, although two cats perished in the fire. The Red Cross was providing assistance.
Fugitive Who Faked Death Arrested in Missouri
(Portland) Authorities have arrested a fugitive who may have attempted to fake his death and who has been on the run for more than a year. The U.S. Marshal’s Service tells Star 97.7, 51 yo Gregory Heimann disappeared from his residence after taking a canoe with his belongings to a river near the Canadian border. Game Wardens, citizens, and law enforcement searched diligently, and it was initially believed the suspect drowned. After further investigation, officials became suspicious Heimann had simply attempted to make it appear he had died. Last Friday, Missouri officials identified Heimann at an Amtrak Station in La Plata. Heimann will be returned to Maine, pending extradition.
Local Politics
Bellows Expresses Support for Tribal Sovereignty
(Augusta) Secretary of State and candidate Shenna Bellows on Monday announced her commitment to tribal sovereignty and called on all gubernatorial nominees to pledge to introduce a bill to grant that measure to the Wabanaki Nations on day one of their administrations. Bellows said it’s long past time for the state to pass a tribal sovereignty bill in Maine. She said the issue is not partisan, and the state needs to fulfill its obligations to the Wabanaki people.
Sanders to Hold Labor Day Rally
(Portland) Graham Platner, the Sullivan oysterman running to replace Senator Susan Collins, and Gubernatorial Candidate Troy Jackson will join US Senator Bernie Sanders at a Democratic Labor Day rally in Portland. Sanders said in a statement yesterday, the country needs working class candidates who aren’t afraid to “take on the oligarchy and to transform our corrupt political and economic systems, defeat authoritarianism, and create an economy that works for all our people, not just the privileged few.”
Republican Leaders Call for Bellows Resignation
(Augusta) Maine’s Republican legislative leaders have issued a letter calling on Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to resign. In the letter, signed by Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart, House Republican Leader Billy Bob FAULKINGHAM, and others, they say Bellows refuses to cooperate with federal authorities and fails to comply with the National Voter Registration Act. They also cite what they call “serious public safety concerns” following a recent Lewiston tragedy involving a non-citizen driver.
Education
Organization Trains Teachers to Tackle Youth Violence
(Augusta) Many students are heading back to school this week – most of them eager to reconnect with friends, sports, music, and other pursuits. Others will return bearing heavy burdens – a family divorce, poverty, bullying that can lead to threats. The Maine Schools Safety Center reminds educators that threats are often a signal a student needs help. Last week, the Center hosted a two-and-a-half day workshop on Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines. As a result 21 new CSTAG coaches are now certified to train and support school teams across Maine. The Maine Department of Education calls the training a major step in expanding statewide behavioral threat assessment efforts.
Environment
State Wildlife Action Plan Ready for Review
(Augusta) You can still review Maine’s State Wildlife Action Plan, but there’s just a week left to do so. The Plan provides a blueprint for actively conserving fish and wildlife to help prevent species from becoming endangered and recovering those that already are. The plan, first created in 2005, is updated every ten years. You can review that on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website, but you only have until this Sunday, August 31st, to provide feedback.
Health
MaineCare Contracted Transportation Company Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
(Augusta) A company that provides non-emergency medical transportation services under MaineCare – the state’s Medicaid program – has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. ModivCare, Incorporated services half of Maine’s 16 counties. The filing comes after the company failed to file a quarterly report with the SEC. In Maine, ModivCare has been under scrutiny for allegedly denying rides and failing to reimburse MaineCare patients. Despite such complaints, the company was recently awarded a 10-year $750M contract from the Department of Health and Human Services. That has reportedly raised serious questions about DHHS’s award process, with some saying they should work with Penquis and other Community Action Programs to provide more of MaineCare’s transportation needs.
Infrastructure
Road Work/Water Leak Update
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth reported Monday afternoon, the water leak has been repaired. A boil water order is in effect for streets listed on the City’s and the Star 97.7 FB pages. They say all water should be boiled for at least five minutes before drinking, making ice cubes, washing foods, brushing teeth, or any other activity involving consumption of water. The order remains in effect until further notice. Also, Water Street will be closed again today from the Washington Street intersection to the Foster Street intersection. Foster Street will be open to left turns ONLY onto Water Street/Bayside Road. On Wednesday, crews will maintain one lane of alternating traffic on Water Street/Bayside Road while final road work is completed.
Searsport Route One Ribbon Cutting
(Searsport) Many businesses along Route One in Searsport will be celebrating large and loud at this morning’s ribbon cutting, marking the completion of the Searsport Route One Reconstruction. Traffic was disrupted in the downtown area for months while the work was in progress. Merchants such as Splendiferous Sweet Shoppe, H & H Mercantile and others, had to get creative to survive the inconvenience, as retailers were often even blocked off out of view as a safety precaution. The project includes the addition of a center left-turn lane between Trundy and Station, and closes critical gaps in the pedestrian network. Senator Susan Collins, MDOT Commissioner Dale Doughty, and Searsport Town Manager James Gilway will be on hand at this morning’s ribbon cutting. The project was made possible in part by $9.2M in Congressionally Directed Spending.
Trump Extends TikTok Deadline
(Washington, DC) President Donald Trump is calling privacy concerns about TikTok and its Chinese parent company “highly overrated” and says he’ll keep extending the deadline for the popular video-sharing platform until there is a buyer. ABC News reports Congress approved a U.S. ban on TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, sold its controlling interest. But the President has so far extended the deadline three times, with the next one coming up September 17th.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Critter Cruise to Benefit SPCA of Hancock County
(Trenton) Join the SPCA of Hancock County for a Critter Cruise, a stunning evening on the water where every ticket helps support the animals at the SPCA. The vessel Acadian will breeze along the Bar Harbor shoreline, where you’ll enjoy views of summer mansions, Egg Rock Lighthouse, harbor seals, porpoises, and more. A naturalist will narrate the tour, with the boat stopping in the bay just before 7 for passengers to watch the sunset. The date is Sunday, September 14th. Last year’s cruise sold out quickly, so get your tickets at the link you’ll find on the SPCA of Hancock County FB page!
Archaeological Discovery in Bradley
(Bradley) Dig in – that’s exactly what you DON’T want to do if you’re looking for a priceless artifact. Such was the case recently in Bradley as a group of archaeologists spent eleven painstaking days searching for a way to date an artifact believed to be ten thousand years old. The Bangor Daily News reports the artifact, found in 1987, was a projectile point that was likely used on a spear, dart or as an arrowhead. Because it hasn’t been precisely dated, a group of archaeologists from across New England took dirt from the sites this month to carbon date it. The recent excavation revealed indigenous pottery and flakes of stone from northern Maine and small ceramics that will help pinpoint the time period from which the projectile came.
World’s Oldest Person Turns 116
(Surrey, England) A very happy belated birthday to Ethel Caterham – the world’s oldest living person. Born August 21st, 1909, Ethel celebrated turning 116 last Thursday. Guinness World Records and countless others sent well wishes. The UK native lives in Surrey, England in a care home whose staff shared the occasion with ABC’s Good Morning America. While she prefers to live quietly and not give interviews, Ethel told The Associated Press in May the secret to her longevity includes being agreeable. She says she never argues with anyone and simply does what she likes. She also offered this advice: “Say yes to every opportunity because you never know what it will lead to. Have a positive mental attitude, and have everything in moderation.”