Cranberry Isles – Fire Truck
(Cranberry Isles) – The small fire department serving Cranberry Isles will start designing a brand new fire truck following town meeting action. The Mt. Desert Islander reports voters OK’d borrowing up to $350-thousand dollars for a new fire truck to cover the island. Fire department officials pointed out that insurance rates had gone down thanks to a better fire rating in recent years, saving property owners a lot of money.
Van Fire Murder Trial
(Bangor) – A 26-year old described as a transient goes on trial this week for setting fire to a van in Bangor with two people inside. John De St. Croix admitted to fire investigators that he set the blaze near the wheel well of the van parked at the Penobscot Plaza a year ago this week because he was mad at victim Michael Bridges. Desiree York was also in the van when De St. Croix allegedly set the fire. He said he tried to open the van’s door but the fire was too intense, so he called 9-1-1. The trial gets under way today in Bangor.
Blood Drives
(Local) Eligible blood donors of all blood types – especially type O – are urged to give blood through the American Red Cross to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients this spring. The Red Cross aims collect 13-thousand blood donations each day nationwide as well as 2,500 platelet donations. Local upcoming blood drives include this morning (3/25) at Bar Harbor Town Hall from 9 ‘til 2, and one at the University of Maine Machias on April 3rd from Noon ‘til 5. You can make an appointment by using the free Red Cross Blood Donor App on your smart-phone.
Coloring for the Dogs
(Trenton) The Hancock County SPCA is holding a fundraiser to pay for much needed upgrades. New executive director Nichola Redmond says the initiative came from the staffs’ desire to have better weather-proofing coverage for the outdoor dog kennels. The fundraiser allows community members to submit pet photos for a chance to be featured in a locally produced animal coloring book. Entering the photo contest is free. Each vote costs $1. Visit the Hancock County SPCA’s website to enter the contest or to vote.
Owners of Vicious Dogs
(Augusta) A Maine legislative committee has signed off on a proposal that requires dog owners to assist people who are attacked by their animals. The bill requires the owner of a dog that assaults a person to get aid for the injured person, contain their dog, and give the injured person their name and contact information.
ME Unemployment
(Augusta) Unemployment ticked down slightly in February in Maine, where the rate has been low for more than 3-years. The Maine Department of Labor says the preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4 for the month. That was just below the 3.5 percent in each of the previous six months. State labor officials say Maine’s unemployment rate has been below 4 percent for 38 consecutive months, which is the longest such stretch on record.
Ferry Fee
(Islesboro) – The Department of transportation plans to calculate new ferry fees this week between Lincolnville and Islesboro. It may not go over week with islanders who filed a lawsuit after a fee increase last year nearly doubled the cost for the 3-mile boat ride between the mainland and Islesboro. Village Soup dot-com reports ridership showed a sharp drop after the fee increase last year. The DOT notes that Islesboro is exploring several options, including running its own ferry service.
Sports
- Patriots Tight End Rob Gronkowski has announced his retirement after 10-years in the NFL.
- The Red Sox take on the Cubs in Arizona tonight in their next to last spring training game.
- The Red Sox have waived catcher Sandy Leon, keeping Christian Vasquez and Blake Swihart as catchers.
- San Antonio Spurs 115 Boston Celtics 96
- The Bruins play the Lightning in Tampa Bay tonight after clinching a playoff spot this weekend.
- The U-Maine women’s basketball team ended its season with an opening round loss to North Carolina State Saturday.
