Crime/Public Safety

Officer Involved Shooting

(Calais)  An investigation is underway after an officer-involved shooting in Calais.  The Washington County Sheriff’s Office tells Downeast Digest Calais Police Officer Charles Ball and Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Taylor LeBlanc were attempting a traffic stop on 35 yo Abinadi White at Main and North Streets in Calais on Friday.  When told he was under arrest, White reportedly refused to follow commands, so officers attempted to taze him.  White then reportedly grabbed a sword and swung it at the officers, who both fired their weapons at the suspect.  White was taken to a local hospital, then Life-flighted to Northern Light in Bangor, where he was stabilized. Officers Ball and LeBlanc are on administrative leave; standard procedure when deadly force is used by law enforcement, as a full investigation into the incident proceeds.

Firefighter Injured in Searsmont Explosion Moved Out of Intensive Care

(Searsmont) There’s a bit of encouraging news on the recovery of firefighter Katherine Page, who was injured in the Robbins Lumber Mill explosion in Searsmont last month.  Katie’s husband, Paul, shared she has been moved out of the intensive care unit and into a private hospital room as her recovery continues.  Although she still has lots of pain and a long way to go, Paul said she’s making small steps in the right direction.  Katie is a volunteer firefighter and member of both the Belmont and Northport Fire Departments and is one of twelve people injured in the May 15th explosion.  She suffered severe burn injuries and has been receiving special treatment at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Local Politics

New Federal Restrictions Bind Hands of Local Hemp Farmers

(Machiasport) A new federal hemp restriction that takes effect in November has tied the hands of some local farmers.  The Maine Monitor reports Schoppee Farm will not host a farmers’ market in Machiasport this year because the rule change from Washington makes growing hemp “practically illegal”.  That’s according to Ben Edwards, founder and managing partner of the farm.  The new restrictions demand products derived from plants with more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight cannot be produced by most farmers, beginning in November, making Edwards’ crops and his entire hemp product line illegal. The market is traditionally held at Edwards’s Machiasport property, but will move to Machias this season while he focuses on the legal fight ahead. 

Stockton Springs Withdraws from Waldo County Mutual Aid Agreement

(Stockton Springs)  Stockton Springs has reportedly withdrawn from the Waldo County Mutual Aid Agreement with the Winterport Ambulance Service, citing a lack of mutual support from Winterport. A  Midcoast Villager reporter posted a letter reportedly sent to municipalities by the Winterport Ambulance Service, informing them of the pending withdrawal.  In the letter, Stockton Springs EMS Chief Amy Drinkwater said Winterport is licensed to operate two ambulances, but has chosen to operate only one, which she says creates an unfair burden.  The withdrawal will reportedly become effective 30 days from the date of the letter.

Economy

Sweet Spot Offers Free Bag Lunches to School-Aged Children

(Ellsworth)  The Sweet Spot is making the summer a little sweeter for area children in need.  The downtown Ellsworth business is offering a free bag lunch to school-age children.  One lunch per child, per day, and the child must be present to pick up the lunch, which includes a bologna or ham sandwich (or PB&J by request), chips, a fruit, a juice box, and a small candy.  If you can afford to support this local small business, please show your gratitude by stopping in and making a purchase.

Help Bring Million Dollar Community Hub to Downeast Maine

(Sullivan)  We recently posted a photo of the new sign at the Sullivan Recreation Center, and received a lot of positive response.  Now, we’ve learned the “sign” was just a sign … of great things to come.  Although, that could depend on you! The Schoodic National Scenic Byway is seeking $800K in federal funds to upgrade the Center, transforming it into a modern, accessible hub with visitor amenities.  The full project cost is a million dollars, with $100K pledged by local groups.  That means they need to raise the remaining $100K, as Maine’s DOT can’t provide those remaining funds.  If not secured, the Byway risks losing the federal funding.  To learn more, to donate, or to find ways you can help, visit Schoodic National Scenic Byway on FB.

Education

HCTC Students Return from Skills USA

(Ellsworth)  HCTC students and staff are back from the Skills USA National Competition in Atlanta.  They say while they didn’t earn any National Medals this year, the students placed high and represented themselves, their families, the community, and HCTC amazingly well, grew in their skills, and pushed beyond their comfort zones to grow as young adults.  Eight students attended this year – two State Officers, two Models of Excellence, and four Individual Competitors in Health Occupations, First Aiid CPR, Criminal Justice, and Employment Application Process.  Thanks, also, to chaperones and advisors, Mrs. Mason, Mr. Smith, and Principal Tracy.

Woodlawn Shares Talk on The Great Ellsworth Fire

(Ellsworth) The infamous fire began on Sunday, May 7th, 1933, when set by Norman Moore in the Bijou Theater. The blaze would destroy 130 buildings, most of Ellsworth’s downtown, with flames sometimes leaping to twice the height of the buildings they consumed.  Departments from almost every surrounding town responded, battling to bring the fire under control, while strong winds, below average temperatures, and roads crowded with gawkers hampered efforts into the following morning.  Want to know more?  Sign up for the June 15th History Lecture at Woodlawn in Ellsworth.  Spots are filling fast for this one.  woodlawnellsworth.org.

Blue Hill Sixth Grader’s Research Published

(Blue Hill)  You’re never too young to make a difference – Blue Hill sixth grader Lucy Gray is proof of that.  Lucy’s research has been published in Findings From the Field, a student journal of ecological and environmental scientific investigations.  Under the direction of the Shaw Institute’s Executive Director Dr. Charles Rolsky, and Nell Hermann at Blue Hill Consolidated School, Lucy spent last summer collecting plastic trash from the beaches of Curtis Cove and Carrying Place, demonstrating a level of dedication and scientific curiosity beyond her years.  In addition, we hear she’s co-editor of her school’s newspaper, and is a talented artist, musician, and mathematician.  Sounds like a bright future ahead for this young student-scientist!

Environment

Maine Ocean Festival

(Bar Harbor)  The ocean is to coastal Maine what our circulatory system is to our bodies – it’s what Mainers run on, essential to fishing, tourist, and recreational sectors. Join a host of environmentally-minded nonprofits later this month for the three-day Maine Ocean Festival at the Oceanarium and Education Center in Bar Harbor!  The festival begins Friday, June 19th, with interactive activities, representatives and speakers from Birdsacre, Woodlawn, Frenchman Bay Conservancy, Downeast Salmon Federation, and more.  Saturday, June 20th, includes A Whale’s Tale program, with a 45-foot inflatable whale, the Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers, and others, and Sunday is a day of art, music, and book signings.  For a complete schedule, visit the Oceanarium and Education Center on FB.

Human Interest 

The Nite Show Wins Two Emmys

(Bangor)  Congratulations are in order for The Nite Show host Dan Cashman, who this weekend took home not one, but two emmys from the National Academy of Television Arts and Academy’s New England Emmy Awards in Boston.  Cashman won in the Show Host category and Television/Interview Discussion for his talk with David Letterman on The Nite Show’s final airing in May.  The Nite Show, which debuted in 1997 as Bangor’s first late-night TV talk show on the local WB affiliate, was nominated every year it was on the air; but these are its first wins.  Our own Nice & Easy Internet Radio Station owner and programmer Brian Nadeau led The Nite Show Band the last years it was on the air.  Congratulations to Dan and everyone involved with the show!

Where in the World Winner

(Undated)  Congratulations to last week’s “Where in the World …?” winner, Sarah Strout.  Sarah and many others correctly guessed we were at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, or you could have said Boothbay or Boothbay Harbor.  Sarah is the ACO in Harrington and runs The Messenger Animal Rescue, so we’re especially happy to send her a $25 gift card to Aroma Joe’s.  We’re back in Downeast Maine this week, at a very beloved town, according to a record number of entries we’ve received already!  Enter your guess at the link you’ll find on our social media pages for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Chipman’s Wharf – and there’s your first big hint.  Thanks, everyone, for playing!

Margaretta Days Festival

(Machias)  As the nation nears its 250th Anniversary, join Machias for the 251st anniversary of the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War.  The Margaretta Days Festival and Craft Fair runs Friday, June 19th and Saturday, June 20th, and includes re-enactments, Historical Societies and other exhibitors, along with  demonstrations of blacksmithing, spinning, and leatherwork for children, and other festivities for all ages. Enjoy Carriage Rides by Whispering Pines Stables on Saturday, the 20th, from 10 until 2.  Plus tours each day of the historic Burnham Tavern Museum, where plans for the historic battle were formulated.  Visit machiashistoricalsociety.com to learn more.

Balloon Launched from Maine Makes Safe Trans-Atlantic Crossing

(Presque Isle)  A hydrogen balloon and its three pilots who launched from Presque Isle early Thursday morning landed safely yesterday in Luxembourg.  The Bangor Daily News reports The Atlantic Explorer’s success means they’ve soared into the history books, flying the first hydrogen balloon across the Atlantic, and crossing in an open-basket balloon. In addition to pilots Bert Padelt of Pennsylvania, and Peter Cuneo of New Mexico, the third pilot, Alicia Hempleman-Adams of England, is the first woman to cross the Atlantic in a gas-powered balloon.  It was the fourth attempt at making such a crossing, all launching from Presque Isle – but the first to successfully reach their destination.

Stonington Playground Upgrade

(Stonington)  A popular playground in Stonington will be sliding, swinging, and jumping in with a $41K upgrade, designed to appeal to a broader cross-section of kids.  Island Ad-Vantages reports the Veterans’ Memorial Playground on School Street is moving ahead with Phase 2 of the addition, with hopes it will be completed later this summer. The expansion, designed by local resident Jeff Olson, is said to incorporate “more inclusive” equipment.

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