Spring 2024 Prescribed Burns Planned for Acadia National Park, Real Estate Transfers, Court Cases
BRIEFS: YWCA AWARDED USA RACIAL JUSTICE GRANT, MDI YMCA SETS KIDS UP FOR A HEALTHY START TO THE SUMMER AT HEALTHY KIDS DAY, LAMOINE EARTH DAY PLAY IS AT 2 PM SUNDAY, NURSING STAFF RATIO DOES NOT PASS
The National Park Service (NPS) is planning to conduct prescribed fire burning in Acadia National Park before May 10, provided weather and fuel conditions meet the conditions established in the park’s prescribed fire plan. NPS will attempt a prescribed fire at the following locations:
Jordan Pond House (lower field between the Jordan Pond House and the pond itself)
Pooler Farm, off of Route 3 in Bar Harbor
Flye Farm, near Route 102 in Tremont
The purpose of these prescribed fire burns are to protect cultural landscapes by perpetuating open fields through the reduction of encroaching woody seedlings.
The prescribed fire program at Acadia National Park is conducted by trained and experienced NPS fire personnel under controlled conditions. Their primary goal is to ensure the safety of fire personnel and the public. The NPS will notify and coordinate with local towns and fire departments as far in advance of a prescribed fire burn as possible.
“We are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of fire personnel and the public as we manage open spaces and historic vistas in Acadia National Park,” said Superintendent Kevin Schneider.
Before prescribed fire burns occur there will be more specific details released on Acadia National Park’s current conditions webpage and social media pages regarding dates and locations. For more information, please see Acadia National Park’s fire management plan.
NURSING STAFFING RATIO BILL
Maine Public’s Patty Wight reports that the nursing staffing bill failed to pass this session despite a 22-13 by the Maine Senate in March. One Republican supported the bill, which was lobbied against by the Maine Hospital Association.
Wight wrote,
“Even though the nurse staffing ratio bill didn't pass this session, it received initial approval from the Senate. The Maine State Nurses Association views that as an indication that ratios are gaining momentum — and not just here. Several other states have also considered bills, and Oregon passed a nurse ratio law last year.”
We have a story about this initiative here.
YWCA AWARDED USA RACIAL JUSTICE GRANT
BAR HARBOR—The YWCA-MDI is honored to share that we've been awarded a YWCA USA Racial Justice Grant for 2024.
In partnership with the Torrid Foundation, YWCA USA awarded grants to 16 local associations as part of the Until Justice Just Is (UJJI) campaign, YWCA's signature racial justice initiative. Our project on tackling bias in healthcare was selected from nearly 70 submissions, and was one of the projects featured during the April 11th UJJI national town hall.
Bias of all kinds is inherent in human nature, but unrecognized and unaddressed bias in healthcare can be especially harmful. Our project aims to educate and empower healthcare providers and patients alike to improve healthcare outcomes in Downeast Maine.
The YWCA will bring Dr. Angela Marshall to speak on October 3. She is the author of Dismissed: Tackling the Biases That Undermine Our Healthcare, and an expert in the many forms of bias that can affect patient care.
Dr. Marshall is the founder of Comprehensive Women’s Health, a primary-care practice for women in the Washington, DC area. She's also the immediate past chairperson of the board of directors for Black Women's Health Imperative, the only national nonprofit aimed at achieving health equity for Black women around the globe.
Everyone is welcome!
A CLIMATE TO THRIVE APPOINTS CALEB DAVIS AS NEW BOARD CHAIR
Originally from Wayne, Maine, Davis moved to MDI in 1998 and graduated from College of the Atlantic in 2002 with a BA in Human Ecology. Davis is the owner of Songscape Gardens, a garden design+build company with a focus on sustainability and ecological design principles. After joining the board of A Climate To Thrive in 2021, Davis has recently been a member of a steering committee working to launch a cooperative solar ownership project on MDI. In January, Davis was nominated to serve as the chair of the board at ACTT. In this new role, Davis is excited to help grow the board with a diversity of perspectives and talents and to further refine the ways in which the board supports the staff in pursuit of ACTT’s mission.
MDI YMCA SETS KIDS UP FOR A HEALTHY START TO THE SUMMER AT HEALTHY KIDS DAY
Free and open to the public, this annual event features a day of fun-filled activities to celebrate kids being kids.
BAR HARBOR—The Mount Desert Island YMCA is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, May 18, beginning with a Fun Run/Walk at 9 a.m. This free, annual event features a variety of family friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season.
Sponsored nationally by Peanuts, Healthy Kids Day’s mission is to turn fun and play into lifelong memories. Some featured activities include the Fun Run/Walk to kick things off, followed by an Activity Fair from 9:15 a.m. to 11 a.m, and open swim time plus our Wibit pool obstacle course from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“It is so important for kids to stay active over the summer, both physically and mentally,” said Maegan Haney, director of marketing, membership, youth programs and fundraising. “At the Y, we believe in providing resources for families to create healthy habits, no matter the time of year. Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community wide event that encourages families to take advantage of all the great summer activities the Y has to offer.”
The MDI Y’s Healthy Kids Day is free for all to attend. Healthy snacks will also be provided.
The Y is still seeking vendors for the Activity Fair. If you would like to get involved please reach out to Maegan at marketing@mdiymca.org.
TREMONT COMMUNITY SUPPER ABOUT RESILIENCE PLAN
TREMONT—Resilient Tremont Community Supper will be on Wednesday, May 1, 6:00 p.m. at the Tremont Consolidated School.
Come enjoy a free, family-friendly supper and learn about Tremont’s Community Resilience Plan. Hear from Tremont students and the Tremont Sustainability Committee on the values and science behind this roadmap to a resilient future that’s up for adoption at this year's Town Meeting. Please RSVP for food-planning purposes and learn more at https://fb.me/e/hqNA5OIZb.
EARTH DAY IN LAMOINE
On April 20 at 7 PM and April 21 at 2 PM there will be a play reading at the Lamoine Community Arts Center at the Grange in Lamoine. The play is written by Fred Stocking and Gordon Donaldson, “Along The Treeline‚ A Glimpse of the Future.” It’s a dramatic adaptation from the book by Ben Rawlence The Treeline: The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth. Admission is free.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS
BAR HARBOR
• Sally Anne Smith, Severn, Md., to Elizabeth Barnhart-Sweeney, Bar Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
• Estate of Raymond C. Gray, Seal Harbor to Christopher Reed and Mary Ann Reed, Bar Harbor, joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
• The Peggy A. Hobbs Revocable Trust, Oxford, Fla., to Raymond J.E. Dolbec and Patricia Dolbec, West Newfield, joint tenants, land with any improvements.
• The Town of Bar Harbor, Bar Harbor to BFI 2018 LLC, Bar Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
• BFI 2018 LLC, Bar Harbor to The Town of Bar Harbor, Bar Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
• Sharen M. Kean, Bar Harbor to Mark A. Smith, Bar Harbor, land with any improvements.
• Sharen M. Kean, Bar Harbor to Sharen M. Kean, Bar Harbor, land with any improvements.
MOUNT DESERT
• Diana S. Wister, f/k/a Diana S. Norris, Palm Beach, Fla., to Diana S. Wister Trust, Palm Beach, Fla., land with buildings.
• Thomas T. Brown and Kelly F. Brown, Northeast Harbor to Summit Road Trust, Bryn Mawr, Pa., land with buildings and improvements.
• Cathleen A. Manchester, New Gloucester to Joseph P Grace and Kristen T. Grace, West Palm Beach, Fla., joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
• Peter Kip Scranton, Los Angeles, Calif. to the Peter Scranton Living Trust, Los Angeles, Calif., land with buildings.
• Grayline LLC, Northeast Harbor to Acadia Outdoor Center, LLC, Seal Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
• M. Gale Wadsworth, East Orland to E. Joy Russell and Will L. Russell Jr., East Orland, joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
TREMONT
• Andrew W. Harkins, Tremont and Tyler Harkins, Tremont to Frank Ross, Tremont, land with any improvements.
• Andrew W. Harkins, Tremont and Tyler Harkins, Tremont to Coddylee Allen Harkins, Tremont, land with any improvements.
HANCOCK COUNTY COURT NEWS
The following cases that were reviewed, continued or adjudicated relate to charges that occurred in Mount Desert Island.
Judah P. Barnes, 36, Lamoine. OUI (alcohol) at Bar Harbor, Oct. 22, 2022. $500. License suspended 150 days.
Jamin S. Keene, 29, Bar Harbor. OUI (alcohol) – no test, one prior at Ellsworth, Dec. 8, 2022. Dismissed.
Chase Patrick Ripoll, 35, Cherryfield. OUI (alcohol) – no test, at Southwest Harbor, Feb. 12, 2023. Dismissed. Reckless conduct at Southwest Harbor, Feb. 12, 2023. $500.
Jordan M. Hodgdon, 27, Seal Cove. Operating while license suspended or revoked at Tremont, Dec. 27, 2022. $250. Jail two days. Violating conditions of release at Tremont, Dec. 27, 2022. Jail two days.
Melanie S. Jackson, 65, Bar Harbor. Domestic violence assault at BarHarbor, Feb. 27, 2023. Dismissed. Violating conditions of release at Bar Harbor, Feb. 27, 2023. $150. Disorderly conduct, offensive words, gestures at BarHarbor, Feb. 27, 2023. $150, suspended.
Ashlee Hope Piskura, 29, Southwest Harbor. OUI (alcohol), one prior at Bar Harbor, April 1, 2023. $700. Jail seven days. License suspended three years.
Ashlee Hope Piskura, 29, Southwest Harbor. OUI (alcohol), one prior at Mount Desert, April 16, 2023. Dismissed. Endangering welfare of a child at Mount Desert, April 16, 2023. Dismissed. Endangering welfare of a child – no health care at Mount Desert, April 16, 2023. Dismissed. Violating conditions of release at Mount Desert, April 16, 2023. Dismissed.
Star Stockbridge, 46, Bar Harbor. Theft by unauthorized taking or transfer at Ellsworth, March 28, 2023. Dismissed.
Jason Robert Rizzardi, 26, Middletown, Del. OUI (alcohol) at Bar Harbor, May 27, 2023. $500. License suspended 150 days.
David Curtis Weller, 71, Vinalhaven. OUI (alcohol) at Southwest Harbor, May 29, 2023. Dismissed. Driving to endanger at Southwest Harbor, May 29, 2023. $575. License suspended 30 days.
Ghali Castilleja Juarez, 32, Bar Harbor. OUI (alcohol) at Bar Harbor, June 2, 2023. Dismissed.
Shane Alexander Allen, 31, Ellsworth. Disorderly conduct, offensive words, gestures at Bar Harbor, June 11, 2023. Jail 24 hours. Criminal trespass at Bar Harbor, June 11, 2023. Jail 24 hours. Criminal mischief at Bar Harbor, June 11, 2023. Jail 24 hours. Criminal trespass at Bar Harbor, June 11, 2023. Jail 24 hours.
Robert Goulet, 50, Ellsworth. Operating while license suspended or revoked, prior at Bar Harbor, June 18, 2023. Dismissed. Violating conditions of release at Bar Harbor, June 18, 2023. $100.
Jordan M. Hodgdon, 27, Seal Cove. Violating protection from abuse order at Tremont, June 25, 2023. Jail two days. Violating conditions of release at Tremont, June 25, 2023. Jail two days. Operating while license suspended or revoked at Tremont, June 25, 2023. $250. Jail two days.
David Wilcomb, 76, Bar Harbor. OUI (alcohol) at Bar Harbor, June 23, 2023. $500. License suspended 150 days.
Meredeth Annette Nielson, 38, Bar Harbor. Domestic violence assault at Mount Desert, July 11, 2023. Dismissed.
Jamin S. Keene, 29, Bar Harbor. Assault at Bar Harbor, July 22, 2023. $400.
Kristian Belada, 26, Camden. Driving to endanger at Bar Harbor, June 11, 2023. $575. License suspended 30 days.
Gwendolyn K. Joy, 26, Bar Harbor. OUI (alcohol) at Bar Harbor, Aug. 19, 2023. $850. License suspended 150 days. Motor vehicle speeding: 30+ MPH over speed limit at Bar Harbor, Aug. 19, 2023. Dismissed.
Robin Old Welliver, 67, Chesapeake, Va. OUI (alcohol) at Bar Harbor, Aug. 19, 2023. $850. License suspended 150 days.
Jasmine Carolyn Jones, 18, Herriman, Utah. Operating motor vehicle without license – conditions and restrictions at Bar Harbor, Aug. 2, 2023. Dismissed.
Valerie Ann Davis, 46, Edgewood, N.M. Disorderly conduct, loud unreasonable noise at Bar Harbor, Sept. 28, 2023. Dismissed.
Leonie Rosalee Chambers, 26, Hancock. Criminal mischief at Bar Harbor, Oct. 28, 2023. $250.
Vincent A. Abbott, 50, Otter Creek. Theft by unauthorized taking or transfer at Bar Harbor, Sept. 28, 2023. $500.
Lexi A. Young, 26, Mount Desert. OUI (alcohol) at Mount Desert, Sept. 18, 2023. $500. License suspended 150 days.
Logan G. Schwebel, 32, Silver Spring, Md. OUI (alcohol) at Bar Harbor, Sept. 9, 2023. Dismissed. Driving to endanger at Bar Harbor, Sept. 9, 2023. $575. License suspended 30 days.
Jordan M. Hodgdon, 27, Seal Cove. Operating while license suspended or revoked at Tremont, Oct 9, 2023. $250. Jail two days. Permitting attachment of false plates at Tremont, Oct. 9, 2023. Jail two days. Violating conditions of release at Tremont, Oct. 9, 2023. Jail two days. Violating conditions of release at Tremont, Oct. 9, 2023. Jail two days.
Jordan M. Hodgdon, 27, Seal Cove. Operating while license suspended or revoked at Tremont, Oct. 13, 2023. $250. Jail two days. Permitting attachment of false plates at Tremont, Oct. 13, 2023. Jail two days. Violating conditions of release at Tremont, Oct. 13, 2023. Jail two days. Violating conditions of release at Tremont, Oct. 13, 2023. Jail two days.
Vincent Lombardi, 51, Bar Harbor. Endangering the welfare of a child at Bar Harbor, Nov. 29, 2023. Dismissed.
Parker W. Murphy, 25, Bar Harbor. Untagged lobster traps, Chapter 25 at Bass Harbor, April 29, 2023. Dismissed.
Parker W. Murphy, 25, Bar Harbor. Violation of lobster crab fishing rule, Chapter 25 at Bass Harbor, April 29, 2023. $900.
Alexis Lilly, 31, Bar Harbor. Protective order from harassment violation at Bar Harbor, Feb. 11, 2020. Dismissed.
Alexis Lilly, 31, Bar Harbor. Protective order from harassment violation at Bar Harbor, Aug. 20, 2020. Dismissed. Violating condition of release at Bar Harbor, Aug. 20, 2020. Dismissed.
Gordon Robert Falt, 30, Northeast Harbor. Theft by unauthorized taking or transfer at Northeast Harbor, Oct. 17, 2020. Dismissed. Burglary at Northeast Harbor, Oct. 17, 2020. Dismissed. Illegal possession of firearm at Northeast Harbor, Oct. 17, 2020. Dismissed. Theft by unauthorized taking or transfer at Northeast Harbor, Oct. 17, 2020. Dismissed.
Kraig Ayotte, 33, Orland. Possessing sexually explicit material of minor under 12 at Bar Harbor, April 15, 2021. Department of Corrections five years, all but 24 months suspended. Probation two years.
Andrew William Kuti-Hellmer, 36, Southwest Harbor. Unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs at Southwest Harbor, July 27, 2022. Jail 127 days. Probation partially revoked, probation continued.
Wyatt Salisbury, 34, Ellsworth. OUI (alcohol) – injury at Bar Harbor, Sept. 23, 2022. $2,100. Department of Corrections three years, all but one year suspended. Probation two years. License suspended six years.
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