Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
No Charges Expected in Ambulance/Pedestrian Death
(Van Buren) Authorities say it’s likely no charges will be filed in connection with a fatal crash last week in which a Van Buren ambulance struck and killed 8 yo Emma Cormier. The crash happened August 27th as Cormier was attempting to cross Main Street near her home. The ambulance was not on a run, and there is no evidence of speeding or neglect on the part of the driver, 46 yo Amanda Skidgel. Ambulance personnel attempted aid at the scene, but the child did not survive.
Third Boat Crash Victim Passes Away
(Eustis) A third victim has died as a result of a pontoon boat crash on Flagstaff Lake last Saturday. Seven people were aboard the boat when the bow began to sink and the pontoon flipped, throwing everyone into the water. Two New York women died at the scene. 22 yo Noor Sasir, also of New York, was airlifted to Bangor, where she passed away Tuesday night. Officials say none of the seven was wearing a life jacket.
Maine Bureau of Highway Safety to Host Child Passenger Safety Summit
(Augusta) Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for children in the United States. The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety says properly installed car seats can dramatically reduce that risk. On September 21st from 1 to 4 p.m. and on the 22nd from 8:30 to 5, the Bureau will host its fourth Maine Child Passenger Safety Summit in Bangor. The event will include a free public car seat check on Sunday, the 21st, with certified technicians on hand to help families ensure their child’s car seat is properly installed and safe to use. The public is welcome to attend the event at the Cross Insurance Center, parking lot A.
Commemorative Plates to Benefit Dana Farber Cancer Center
(Augusta) The next couple of weeks, you may notice something different about the license plates of Maine State Police. They’ve teamed with the Maine State Troopers Foundation, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the Jimmy Fund to sport specially designed plates on their vehicles September 1st through the 14th. The plates, which feature designs that symbolize hope and unity in the fight against cancer, will then be auctioned off to the public, beginning September 15th, with all proceeds benefiting the Jimmy Fund. The fund directly supports patient care and cancer research at Dana Farber. Bidding starts a week from Monday at maine state troopers foundation dot org.
Lewiston Survivors’ Lawsuit
(Lewiston) More than 100 victims of the Lewiston mass shooting — the partners, parents and children of the 18 dead and dozens more who were there or who were injured — planned to file a lawsuit Wednesday against the federal government. The Portland Press Herald reports the lawsuit against the federal government alleges its agencies, specifically the US Army, failed to prevent reservist Robert Card from carrying out Maine’s deadliest mass shooting on October 25th, 2023. The lawsuit claims the Army ignored several signs Card was dangerous and exhibiting troubling behavior, yet had unchecked access to firearms.
Piscataquis County Sheriff Questions State’s “Heavy Handedness” in Threatening to Close Jail
(Dover-Foxcroft) Piscataquis County Sheriff Robert Young says operations at the county jail were not dangerous and there was no crisis when the state briefly forced them to cease operations and threatened to close the facility last month. The state’s actions followed a reported failed inspection at the Dover-Foxcroft facility. Young says the decision that forced the jail to briefly stop taking inmates and move boarded inmates to other facilities was made with a “heavy hand”. He told the Bangor Daily News the inspection report had inaccurate information about a key medical issue … and mischaracterized another. It was the first time the Department of Corrections has threatened to close a Maine correctional facility due to a failed inspection. Piscataquis County is one of the state’s most sparsely populated and has fewer resources; but Young says there was no crisis and jail operations are flowing as they did previously.
Local Politics
Washington County Public Hearing
(Machias) There’s a critical public hearing coming up a week from today in Machias. On September 11th, the Commissioners of Washington County will present the 2026 proposed budget to the Budget Advisory Committee. The hearing will also present the referendum question that Washington County voters will consider for an $11M bond on the November 4th ballot. As we’ve been sharing with you for several months, a shortage of county auditors led to the County being behind on audits – and that led to money being spent that, in a nutshell, simply wasn’t there. That’s the situation County Manager Renee Gray and the three new Commissioners walked into and are trying every avenue to correct. Public input … and understanding … are critical in order for the County to continue operating. The public hearing is set for 4 p.m. September 11th at the Washington County Courthouse in Machias.
(Machias) We’ve been sharing with you the past few months about the critical situation facing Washington County. A shortage of county auditors led to the County being behind on audits – and that led to money being spent that, in a nutshell, simply wasn’t there. That’s the situation County Manager Renee Gray and three new Commissioners walked into and have been exploring every avenue to correct. The Commissioners are stressing the importance of attending an upcoming public meeting on Thursday, September 11th, at 4 p.m. at the Washington County Courthouse. At the meeting, the 2026 proposed budget will be presented to the Budget Advisory Committee. The hearing will also present the referendum question that Washington County voters will consider for an $11M bond on the November 4th ballot.
Education
September Programming at the Versant Power Planetarium
(Orono) Is there life out there beyond our own small planet? As we discover more and more about our vast Universe, it’s hard to believe there’s not. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Planetarium, tells Star 97.7, it’s the question being explored Friday nights this month as you discuss “Living Worlds”. (((PlanetSep 1 “…looking for life elsewhere in our Universe.” :16))) Friday nights in September. Tickets at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) Give your kids that extra “edge” in “education” with Sunday afternoon programming at the Versant Power Astronomy Center on the UMaine campus in Orono. Director Shawn Laatsch says during September, kids will voyage far out into the Universe. (((PlanetSep 2 “…based on the Mary Pope Osborne books.” :18))) That’s every Sunday afternoon in September at 2 p.m. Tickets at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) Ozzy Osbourne lives on this month in the Sunday evening music shows at the Versant Power Planetarium. Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, what fans have in store Sundays at 4 during the month of September. (((PlanetSep 3 “…for the month of September.” :14))) Sit back and enjoy the flashing light show set to hits like Paranoid, Ordinary Man, and other hits by Ozzy Osbourne. Recommended for adults, tickets are $9 and can be purchased at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
Environment
Acadia Gateway Center Opens in Trenton
(Trenton) The new Acadia Gateway Center is now open to the public. The Maine Department of Transportation made the announcement about its opening Wednesday afternoon. The Acadia Center is an intermodal transit and welcome center serving visitors to Downeast Maine and Acadia National Park. Visitor facilities include free day-use parking in 300 spaces – 18 with EV charging units, and 10 for oversized vehicles – an Island Explorer bus stop for use by commercial tour buses, as well, and an 11,000-square-foot information center with park and regional tourism information, retail space, restrooms, and a waiting area. The Center is located at 42 Gateway Center Drive in Trenton.
Health
Insurance Dispute Could Force Patients to Switch Doctors
(Bangor) Still no resolution between Northern Light Health Care and insurance giant Anthem – and that could mean tens of thousands of patients could be forced to change doctors, writes the Bangor Daily News. Although the two have agreed to mediation, they must reach an agreement by the September 30th deadline – something the two have been unable to do during months of previous negotiations. In parts of Maine, including Ellsworth, Blue Hill, and Deer Isle, patients say there aren’t many options besides Northern Light. Some patients told the BDN, they would rather switch doctors than insurance carriers because Anthem’s coverage has been good and they fear Northern Light could drop future providers, as well. Northern Light reportedly cut ties with Humana last year. On a related note, on Wednesday, Northern Light announced a 3% reduction in their workforce. In total 308 positions will be cut.
Children’s Dental Health Suffering Due to Slow Reimbursement Times
(Maine) Low reimbursement rates from the state health and human services department. The Portland Press Herald reports dentists across Maine say that’s at least partly to blame for months-long delays in caring for children on MaineCare who need to be treated under anesthesia. While it’s unclear how many children this involves since such data isn’t tracked, experts estimate thousands of Maine children are affected by the delays. Some dentists say they’re paying anesthesiologists out of their own pockets in order to make up for the shortfall. DHHS says it’s aware of the problem and is moving its reform process up by a year to 2026.
Passport Stamps Going Away
(Huff Post) Another bit of nostalgia being replaced by technology. Huff Post reports passport stamps are going away, replaced with digitized alternatives that are more secure and efficient. The stamps became popular in the 1950’s and 60’s when travel, especially by air, became more accessible. Now, more digital alternatives are commonplace, such as TSA Precheck, mobile boarding passes, and Global Entry. Here’s how the e-gate process will work – you approach the gate, it scans your biometrics, your passport, and takes a photo of you. They cross-reference both, and the gate opens for you to pass through. European Union countries will begin rolling out the new program October 12th; and that will mean the need for some new pre-travel requirements that can be found on the Department of State database. Be sure to check ahead.