Maine
Caribou graduates urged to make positive impact on the future – The County
CARIBOU, Maine — June 9, 2024 — Caribou High School graduates throw confetti in the air after receiving their diplomas. (Melissa Lizotte | Aroostook Republican)
CARIBOU, Maine – Ninety-six students received their diplomas as part of Caribou High School’s Class of 2024 graduation Sunday.
Graduates, school staff and family members packed into the gymnasium, cheering for the classmates as they walked across the stage and posed for photos.
But before their big moments, the class sat together one last time and listened to the advice of a peer and those who know what it’s like to be in their shoes.
Valedictorian Claire Ouellette thanked her classmates, their teachers, administrators and family members for supporting the class throughout their four years. Along the way, she said, they have all learned important lessons beyond academics.
Ouellette recalled how her class won the school’s winter carnival tug-of-war competition three years in a row. That was one of many times, she said, when it seemed like they were just having fun, but were actually gaining valuable skills.
“Standing together on one side of a rope, we worked together to achieve a common goal. We learned how to work hard, collaborate and do everything with integrity,” Ouellette said. “I encourage you to make wherever you end up a better place.”
Caribou High Class of 1991 graduate and U.S. Attorney General for the State of Maine Darcie McElwee served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker.
McElwee has spent her entire career as a prosecutor, first, as an assistant district attorney in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, then as an assistant U.S. district attorney in Portland. The U.S. Senate confirmed her as the U.S. District Attorney for Maine in 2021.
Coming home to Caribou High brought back many memories for McElwee.
On the gym wall near the entrance hung the school anthem that she and classmates created. She brought a copy of her 1991 yearbook, in which the class voted Mel Gibson and Tom Cruise as their favorite actors, Julia Roberts as their top actress, “Saturday Night Live” their favorite TV show and “You Can’t Touch This” by M.C. Hammer their top song.
Popular culture and the world at large has changed since 1991 but what hasn’t changed are the “Viking values” that McElwee believes have shaped her and countless generations of Caribou graduates.
“My experiences here introduced me to the values of work ethic, character and the support of community,” McElwee said.
When McElwee asked her children what advice she should give to the class, her son said, “Care less about the approval of others.” Her daughter said, “Be serious but don’t forget to have fun.”
McElwee also offered simple but important advice that she said any student can take with them.
“Work hard and be nice to people,” McElwee said.
RSU 39 Superintendent Jane McCall had a unique perspective to bring to this year’s graduation.
Fourteen years ago, as principal of Hilltop Elementary School, she watched many of the graduates walk through the doors on their first day of preschool.
“On that day, your families struggled to let go of your hands,” McCall said. “Today, I see those families filled with pride and with equally mixed emotions.”
Only a decade later, that same class entered high school in 2020, as the pandemic enforced safety mandates that no other students had experienced. They often dealt with disruptions to school and technologies that made learning different.
But the classmates still gained friendships and wisdom that would better prepare them for life ahead, McCall said.
“You continued to learn and adapt despite the obstacles and be prepared for turbulent times,” McCall said. “Some of you will stay down the same path until you retire, others will travel several paths. Whatever you choose, it will be the right path for you.”
The graduation ceremony featured the high school chorus, who sang “I Am Still Your Dreamer” by Pinkzebra, and the high school band, who performed the national anthem and “Amazing Grace.”
Maine
Amtrak train strikes, kills man in Old Orchard Beach, Maine
A 51-year-old man was fatally struck by an Amtrak train in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, on Thursday afternoon, and police believe alcohol was a factor.
Old Orchard Beach Police say they responded around 2:18 p.m. to the area of the railroad tracks located off from the roadway near 133 Temple Avenue. The victim, who had been struck by a train traveling northbound, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Information obtained from witnesses suggests the man was traveling alone and walking nearby the railroad tracks moments before being struck by the train, according to police, who didn’t say why they believe alcohol was a factor in the incident.
The victim’s name is being withheld pending further investigation and notification, with police saying only that he was from Old Orchard Beach.
Amtrak said in a statement obtained by NBC10 Boston affiliate News Center Maine that the individual was trespassing when he came into contact with the train.
Amtrak urged the public in its statement to stay off railroad property and use caution around railroad tracks and grade crossings, writing, “These incidents can affect everyone involved—those who are injured or die and their families, our train crews, and our passengers.”
There were no reported injuries among the 135 passengers and crew members abord the No. 683 train that was traveling from Boston to Brunswick until the incident happened on Thursday.
The added that preventing railroad incidents and fatalities is a priority for them. Amtrak is working with local authorities investigating this latest incident.
An investigation remains ongoing by the Old Orchard Beach Police Department, Amtrak Police and Saco Police Department, which responded to assist.
Maine
High bacteria advisories reported at multiple Maine swimming spots
PORTLAND (WGME) — Wednesday afternoon, Tassel Top Park officials posted on social media, reporting the beach was temporarily closed to swimming after routine testing found elevated levels of E. coli in the water.
Anna Goodnik, a visitor at the park, says she was disappointed to learn she could not swim.
“It’s a beautiful lake. I feel so sorry, it’s too bad this happened,” Goodnik said.
She says she drove from Portland to visit the park.
“Very sad because I came from Portland, I drove 40 minutes,” Goodnik said.
Goodnik says she has been coming to Tassel Top Park for 15 years and that while the park remained open, she was hoping to get in the water.
“The water is so smooth right now, I would just like to swim in it,” Goodnik said.
Raymond Town Manager Glenn Michalowski said in a statement that the Portland Water District provides weekly test results for 18 locations around Sebago Lake. Tassel Top Beach was closed for swimming because E. coli levels exceeded state water quality standards.
Michalowski said testing indicated the presence of waterfowl in the area, which can contribute to elevated bacterial levels. The statement also noted that high E. coli counts after rain events and in areas with waterfowl activity are a normal occurrence across Maine beaches and recreational water areas.
Ben Peierls, research director at the Lakes Environmental Association, says warmer water can lead to more bacterial growth.
“When water gets warmer, there’s more growth of bacteria,” Peierls said.
Peierls says E. coli can come from animals such as birds, dogs and other wildlife, or from human waste. He says this time of year can bring rain and runoff that carries contaminants into lakes.
“This time of year, there’s lot of rain and runoff materials coming into lakes, and it’s coming from sources where there may have been that fecal material, and it gets washed into lakes and it shows up in places people could be recreating,” Peierls said.
Tassel Top is not the only location reporting elevated bacteria levels. Ferry Beach in Scarborough and East End Beach in Portland also reported results above Maine’s safety threshold for enterococci in marine waters.
Town officials say Tassel Top Beach will reopen once retesting confirms the water has returned to safe levels, and residents will be notified when the closure is lifted. Swimming can resume once weekly testing confirms water quality is back within safe limits.
To check the status of all beaches in the state, click here.
Maine
Person hospitalized after shed fire in Harpswell
HARPSWELL (WGME) — The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office says a person was hospitalized after a shed fire Wednesday night.
Firefighters were called to 23 Smokehouse Road in Harpswell for a shed fire around 7 p.m.
Crews quickly put out the fire and kept it from spreading into the woods.
An unhoused person who had been living in the shed suffered burns and smoke inhalation.
They were taken to Maine Medical Center for treatment.
Investigators believe the fire may have been electrical in nature.
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The fire remains under investigation.
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