Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Missing Bar Harbor Man Found Safe
(Bar Harbor) A missing Bar Harbor man has been found safe. The Bar Harbor Mount Desert Police Department reports 45 yo Adam Walton was last seen Friday morning at his Bar Harbor residence. They say he left home in his vehicle but was later reported missing. Walton was found safe about 9 p.m. on Sunday. Police say they spoke with his family and are confident Mr. Walton is safe and no longer warrants being considered a missing person.
(Bar Harbor) A Bar Harbor man who was reported missing this weekend has been located and is safe. The Bar Harbor Mount Desert Police Department reports 45 yo Adam Walton was last seen Friday morning at his Bar Harbor residence. They say he left in his vehicle but was later reported missing. Officials say Walton was found safe about 9 p.m. Sunday. Police say they spoke with his family and are confident Mr. Walton is safe and no longer warrants being considered a missing person.
Knox County Death
(Cushing) Maine State Police are investigating a death in the Knox County town of Cushing. Authorities say detectives were at an address on River Road Friday and Saturday processing the scene. A body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine a cause and manner of death and to positively identify the victim. 41 yo Mark Gagne was arrested Friday in connection with the case. He’s charged with Hindering Apprehension and Abuse of a Corpse. Gagne was scheduled to make his initial court appearance Monday.
(Cushing) Maine State Police have made an arrest in the death of a person in Cushing. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, detectives spent much of Friday and Saturday at 834 River Road, processing the scene. A body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine a cause and manner of death and to positively identify the victim. 41 yo Mark Gagne was arrested Friday in connection with the case. He’s charged with Hindering Apprehension and Abuse of a Corpse. Gagne was scheduled to make his initial court appearance Monday.
Local Politics
Collins Will Write in Nikki Haley in Presidential Election
(Augusta) Senator Susan Collins says she’ll be writing in the name of former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley in this year’s Presidential election. It’s the third time Collins has rejected Trump, citing Trump’s style as, “divisive at a time when our country is already polarized.” Collins was one of seven Republicans at an impeachment trial to vote to convict Trump of inciting an insurrection in the January 6th, 2021 breach of the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the election. Collins spurned in 2016 and 2020 as well.
(Augusta) Maine Senator Susan Collins said she didn’t vote for Donald Trump in 2016 or 2020, and she won’t be checking off the box by his name come this November. Collins said while she agrees with “some” of Trump’s policies, his style is divisive, in a time when the country is already polarized. Collins was one of seven Republicans at an impeachment trial to vote to convict Trump of inciting an insurrection in the January 6, 2021 attempt to overturn the election. Collins said she’ll be writing in the name of former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, whom she publicly endorsed and who she says is still her favorite candidate.
Governor Mills Swears in Chief Medical Examiner
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills has sworn in Dr. Alice Briones as Maine’s Chief Medical Examiner. The retired U.S. Air Force Colonel recently completed a distinguished military career which culminated in her leading the world’s only global medical examiner system. Dr. Briones is a Hampden native and a graduate of the University of Maine.
Economy
MVP Searching for Affordable Rental
(Ellsworth) The Maine Veterans Project is looking for an affordable rental for a disabled veteran who has a new job in the Ellsworth area. They say he has a service dog and would like a first floor apartment or single level home with minimal stairs. Anyone with leads is asked to leave a comment on the post on the Maine Veterans Project FB page.
(Ellsworth) If you have an affordable rental available and would like to help out a disabled veteran, here’s an opportunity for you. The Maine Veterans Project says one of their disabled veterans has a new job in the Ellsworth area. The vet has a service dog and would like a first floor apartment or single level home with minimal stairs. If you have any leads, you can leave a comment on the post on the Maine Veterans Project FB page.
Environment
Jonesport Fish Kill
(Jonesport) An algae bloom late last month killed an undisclosed number of salmon at aquaculture sites owned by Cooke Aquaculture in Jonesport. It’s not the first time the company has dealt with die-offs. Three years ago, a hundred thousand salmon reportedly died when dissolved oxygen levels dropped in their cages, although the state ultimately determined Cooke had not violated any permit conditions. In 2023, the Canadian company reported 50,000 smolt fish stocked in cages at two locations at Cross Island in Machias Bay died following seal attacks. Fish from the most recent kill were reportedly taken to a nearby compost pile, where neighbors say the smell is overwhelming, but officials say the smell will dissipate as the carcasses turn into compost.
(Jonesport) Canadian based Cooke Aquaculture last month suffered another massive fish die off, this time at aquaculture sites in Jonesport. The company refused to say how many fish were killed, but blamed the kill on an algae bloom. It’s not the first such incident that has plagued Cooke sites. In 2023, the Canadian company reported 50,000 smolt fish stocked in cages at two locations at Cross Island in Machias Bay died following seal attacks. Three years ago a hundred thousand salmon died when dissolved oxygen levels dropped in their cages, although the state ultimately determined Cooke had not violated any permit conditions in that incident.
Penobscot River Cleanup
(Maine) For more than five decades, the Penobscot River and its estuary have contained elevated mercury levels. A 2022 settlement required Mallinckrodt US to provide millions of dollars for cleanup. The settlement was the result of a decades-long lawsuit brought by Maine People’s Alliance and NRDC. As a result, currently, thirteen BEP’s – Beneficial Environmental Projects – have been approved to receive funding to begin cleanup. Sources say several of the projects will improve recreational and emergency boating access on both sides of the Penobscot River and on Verona Island. Others will improve fish passage throughout the watershed.
Infrastructure
MDOT Says It will Repair Seawall Road
(SW Harbor) The Maine Department of Transportation says it will repair the portion of Seawall Road that was destroyed in a March storm. The Mount Desert Islander reports the repairs will begin in the spring and that MDOT will allow temporary repairs to proceed under the direction of the town of SW Harbor. The announcement at Monday night’s select board meeting follows a public hearing in June in which hundreds showed up to share concerns about loss of business, obstruction to emergency vehicles and other issues. The destroyed portion of the road was repaired after January storms but was washed away again and has been closed since March.
(SW Harbor) The portion of Seawall Road that was washed away multiple times in violent storms will be repaired, by the Maine Department of Transportation. The Mount Desert Islander reports the news came from Tremont Town Manager Jesse Dunbar at last night’s select board meeting and follows a public hearing in June in which hundreds showed up to share concerns about loss of business, obstruction to emergency vehicles and other issues. The destroyed portion of the road was repaired after January storms but was washed away again and has been closed since March. Work will begin in the spring, but MDOT said it would allow temporary repairs to proceed under the direction of the town of SW Harbor.
Presque Isle Airport Upgrades
(Presque Isle) Officials say the upgrades are expected to enhance the passenger experience, bring more business to the region, and create opportunities for economic development. Presque Isle International Airport is set to receive nearly $612,000 as part of the Airport Improvement Grant Program. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King said the funds will support construction of a new terminal apron to accommodate larger passenger aircraft and support pavement updates. The Senators say the grant will support the airport’s capacity for scheduled commercial flights, ensuring Presque Isle remains connected and primed for continued economic success.
(Presque Isle) Passengers flying in and out of Presque Isle International Airport will soon be flying high, thanks to a nearly $612,000 grant from the Airport Improvement Grant Program. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King on Monday said the funds will support construction of a new terminal apron to support the airport’s capacity for larger passenger aircraft. They say the upgrades will enhance the passenger experience, bring more business to the region, and create continued opportunities for economic development.
Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge Work
(Deer Isle) Between now and August 3rd, expect delays if you travel the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge. The Maine Department of Transportation will be conducting an inspection daily between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. with the exception of Sundays. MDOT says drivers may encounter single lane closures, impacting traffic on the bridge. Another inspection period is scheduled for August 19th through the 31st.
(Deer Isle) Give yourself extra time if your travels take you across the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge between now and August 3rd. MDOT workers will be conducting an inspection on the bridge that carries Route 15 over Eggemoggin Reach. Traffic may be reduced to one lane Mondays through Saturdays between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for the next three weeks. Another inspection period is scheduled for August 19th through the 31st.
Human Interest/Entertainment
We’re Off to See the Wizard!
(Milbridge) You definitely don’t want to miss the Great Oz – actually the original movie Wizard of Oz on the brand new projection screen at the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center! The debut screening – a matinee showing at 2 p.m. this Sunday, July 21st – is free! Gateway Milbridge Board Member Cathy Chipman tells Star 97.7, the theatre’s original owner, Dave Parsons, loved the movie so much, he had a yellow brick road leading into the old theatre, and he collected tons of Oz memorabilia. Get there early – once the theatre reaches capacity, you could find yourself out with the munchkins. But don’t worry, there will be another showing Saturday, July 27th, during Milbridge Days. And they promise to get you out in time for the spectacular fireworks show that evening!
(Milbridge) There’s no place like the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center this Sunday, July 21st. The new projection screen has been installed, and they’re debuting it with a screening of the original Wizard of Oz at 2 p.m. The matinee showing is free – although, you’d better get there early, because once the theatre reaches capacity, you’ll be left out with the flying monkeys. Not to worry – there will be another showing Saturday, July 27th, during Milbridge Days. And they promise to get you out in time for the spectacular fireworks show that evening! Why the Wizard of Oz? It was the favorite of original owner David Parsons, who loved the movie so much, he put in an actual yellow brick road leading to the theatre doors.
Sports
The Red Sox off this week for the All Star Break. Tonight, it’s the MLB All Star Game. The American League All Stars face off against the National League at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
