Ranked Choice Counting
(Augusta) – We still don’t know which Democrat and Republican will appear on the ballot for Maine Governor in November. We should, later today. The Secretary of State’s Office suspended the ranked choice ballot counting for the day yesterday afternoon as workers painstakingly accounted for all the ballots cast. No candidate in the two gubernatorial primaries last week garnered more than 50-percent of the vote, nor did any candidate in the Democratic primary for the 2nd congressional district.
EPEC Fire
(Orrington) – The future of trash disposal for dozens of Maine towns took a hit when the Eagle Point Energy Center in Orrington caught fire Tuesday night. Firefighters remained on scene for most of yesterday, cooling hot spots in the pile of trash that had built up as the incinerator was preparing to get back into operation nearly 2-years after it closed due to financial problems and then a major fire struck shortly after the current owners purchased the facility at a bankruptcy auction. The DEP issued an air quality alert over a wide area due to the smoke from the burning trash.
Unity College Sold (BDN)
(Unity) – The former campus of Unity College has sold after the environmental school first started marketing it for sale 6-years ago. The 225-acre campus in Unity sold for $6-million dollars according to the Bangor Daily News. Unity Environmental University is now based at a campus in New Gloucester and serves about 10-thousand students across the nation; many of them attending on line. The new owners were not identified but reportedly will convert the Waldo County facility into an upscale summer camp.
Searsmont Asst Chief Memorial
(Belfast) – Searsmont’s Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury’s memorial service is set for next Wednesday. The 76-year old firefighter was the 2nd to perish after the explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont a month ago. A procession escorted his body from Augusta to Belfast this week, and firefighters have planned to stand vigil until Wednesday’s 1PM service at Belfast High School.
Tremont Police Contract
(Tremont) – Saying things have worked out well, Select Board members in Tremont have approved contracting for police service with neighboring Southwest Harbor for another year for $435-thousand dollars. The Bar Harbor Story reports the vote was unanimous. The Southwest Harbor PD has offered to take over animal control duties as well, at no additional cost. The town currently budgets $10-thousand dollars a year for resident Heath Higgins to perform the ACO Work.
Kayaker Rescued
(Orrington) – Quick response and technology led to a rescue in Orrington yesterday. WABI-TV reports a woman fell from a kayak on Fields Pond and used her cell phone to call for help from the water. Dispatchers used the GPS location from the phone and guided responding rescuers from the Orrington and Brewer Fire Departments to her location in the water quickly. She was unhurt and wearing a life jacket.
