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Friday, April 5, 2024
Volume 20 • Issue No. 14
April 8 Total Solar Eclipse, Resources
The gray area on map indicates the parts of Maine with the best visibility for the eclipse. Image from www.eclipse2024.org.
STATEWIDE On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada, beginning at approximately 2 p.m. and lasting for about 2.5 hours. The total eclipse of the Sun happens at approximately 3:20 p.m. when the day suddenly becomes night, and total darkness occurs for about three minutes. The total solar eclipse can be viewed from most locations across the state of Maine, with best visibility happening in the “path of totality,” a band spanning across the state between DoverFoxcroft, Howland, and Lincoln, up to Caribou (see graphic at left). A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking
the Sun’s face and darkening the sky outside as if it were dawn or dusk. While this rare sight is spectacular to behold, viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter can instantly cause severe eye injury. Tourists and spectators are encouraged to enjoy the eclipse safely by familiarizing themselves with the following safety guidelines: Eye Safety View the Sun through eclipse glasses or by using a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases (before and after totality). Eclipse glasses can be purchased from some local retailers, and many area libraries are giving out glasses for free. Contact area libraries ahead
of time to ensure there are glasses left to pick up. Spectators can also opt for indirect solar viewing instead. View the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun’s face, during the brief period known as totality. One will know it is safe when they can no longer see any part of the Sun through either eclipse glasses or a solar viewer. As soon as the Sun reappears after totality, immediately put eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer. Other Safety Tips Many out-of-state tourists and Maine residents alike will be traveling throughout the state for the best See ECLIPSE on page 18 . . .
Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Wells WELLS On Thursday, March 21, FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance had been made available to the state of Maine to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding between January 9 and 13 of this year. The State of Maine’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration was intended to help several coastal counties recover from back-to-back severe storm that brought significant flooding and damage. Under this declaration, York County towns are eligible to receive reimbursements to
Local Average Tide Chart Date High Low am pm
Sat 6 9:41 10:13 Sun 7 10:37 11:03 Mon 8 11:30 11:52 Tue 9 12:22 Wed 10 12:40 1:13 Thu 11 1:28 2:05 Fri 12 2:17 2:57 Sat 13 3:08 3:52
am pm
3:19 4:16 5:10 6:01 6:52 7:43 8:35 9:29
3:53 4:43 5:32 6:19 7:07 7:56 8:46 9:41
Sun Rise Sun Set Sat 6 Sun 7 Mon 8 Tue 9 Wed 10 Thu 11 Fri 12 Sat 13
6:12 7:16 6:10 7:17 6:08 7:18 6:07 7:20 6:05 7:21 6:03 7:22 6:02 7:23 6:00 7:24
help cover the cost of public infrastructure repairs as a result of damage sustained during the storms. York County individuals and businesses are also eligible for assistance. This assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, lowcost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. The U.S. Small Business Administration (U.S. SBA) has made low-interest loans,
some with interest rates as low as 2.68%, available to help impacted businesses of all sizes, as well as eligible homeowners, renters, and non-profit organizations, repair or replace property damage resulting from the storm. Businesses may also be eligible for working capital loans. U.S. Small Business Administration staff will be on site at Disaster Recovery Centers. FEMA, along with local and state partners, has opened a Disaster Recovery Center at Wells Fire Station #2, located at
WASHINGTON, D.C. Recently, U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks at the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony, held at Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol. The event formally awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the veterans of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133rd Signal Service Company, known collectively as the “Ghost Army,” in recognition of their unique service during World War II. The families of three Ghost Army veterans were present to accept the awards. The family members either currently reside in or are from Maine. The
ters Special Troops, 603rd Camouflage Engineers. Captain Skelton’s daughter, Malinda Skelton McKinney of Windham, attended the ceremony in his honor. Sergeant Donald Mead, member of the 3133rd Signal Service Company. Sergeant Mead’s son, Maine Supreme Judicial Court Justice Andrew Mead and his wife, Kelly, of Bangor, attended the ceremony in his honor. Private First-Class Gardner Stone, member of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, 406th combat engineers’ unit. PFC Stone’s daughter, Carol Allen,
Inflatable M-4 and the 23rd Headquarters Special patch (National Archives).
See GHOST on page 9 . . .
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tions have been awarded the distinction. The “Ghost Army” veterans honored were as follows: Captain William Skelton, member of the 23rd Headquar-
Congressional Gold Medal is the oldest and highest civilian awards in the United States awarded by Congress, and only 184 people, events, or institu-
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site to help homeowners and business owners with resources made available to them. The Disaster Recovery Center will
Collins Honors Maine’s “Ghost Army” Veterans
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585 North Berwick Road, Wells. This will serve as a walk-in location where Individual Assistance applicants can visit to apply for assistance or get help with resources. Specialists will be on-
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