Maine News Friday

Unusual oyster farm heist

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Press Herald -  Boating through familiar waters near The Brothers islands in Casco Bay, Michael Scafuro and Rachel White were excited. After two years of work, they were going to sample for the first time oysters that they had grown in their aquaculture operation. Scafuro donned a wetsuit, ready to dive in.

The Portland couple approached the mooring off Falmouth on Nov. 22 to snag the first mature oysters and sink the farm for winter. But the 14 cages that had been floating in the water were nowhere to be found.

“We pulled up and it was completely gone. There was nothing there. I mean, we were just shocked, and it felt surreal,” said White, 40.  “It still does.” 

They had last checked in on the farm two weeks prior. Frantically searching up and down the coast for hours, hoping the cages had just drifted away, Scafuro and White soon came to a more devastating conclusion: their oysters were stolen. 

“We’re kind of in shock and kind of devastated,” said Scafuro, 38. “I mean, we were sobbing.”

Maine Marine Patrol, assisted by the anti-poaching nonprofit Maine Operation Game Thief, is investigating the possible theft of the 40,000 oysters and 14 aquaculture cages from Falmouth waters. The missing gear and shellfish are valued at nearly $20,000. 

Operation Game Thief is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who can provide information that leads to a conviction. Tips are anonymous. 

 

Press Herald:  What happens to Maine research grants canceled by the Trump administration? In some cases, research has continued as institutions find new sources of funding, federal or otherwise. In others, projects have been delayed, paused or shelved altogether. Within the University of Maine System, about $5.8 million that was supporting more than 30 projects has been terminated, while another $1.6 million for awards remain paused

DECEMBER HOLIDAY HOURS

Town Hall

Transfer/Recycling Facility:

  • Wednesday, 12/24: Closed
  • Thursday, 12/25: Closed
  • Wednesday, 12/31: 7:00am - 4:00pm

Community Library:

  • Wednesday, 12/24: Closing at 3:00pm 
  • Thursday, 12/25: Closed
  • Wednesday, 12/31: Closing at 4:00pm 

Portland Press Herald - Many parts of Maine were blasted with frigid air Thursday night into Friday morning, and meteorologists say the overnight cold temperatures broke decades-old records.

Portland reported a low of 2 degrees, and Augusta reported a low of 3 degrees as of 7 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Gusty winds made those single-digit temperatures feel even colder, with overnight wind chills falling as low as minus 8 degrees at Portland International Jetport and minus 9 degrees at Augusta State Airport.

Forecasters had warned Thursday that overnight wind chills in parts of Maine could fall as low as minus 30 degrees, prompting many communities to open warming shelters.