Officer Jonathan Cotton and K9 Maximus of the Sanford Police Department receive a new K9 protective vest from Madyson Gibbons, founder of Maine Vest-A-Dog.
Photo: Sanford Police Department
Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan
Dress for success with a vest: Not yet two years old, Sanford Police Department’s K9 Maximus now has a new protective vest to wear, compliments of Maine Vest-A-Dog and many generous contributors. Maine Vest-A-Dog is a nonprofit organization that aims to protect law enforcement K9 units across Maine with bullet- and stab-resistant protective vests.
Police seek assistance with theft investigation: Sanford police are asking for help identifying a suspect in a report of theft from 7-Eleven convenience store in Springvale Monday night, according to Maj. Mark Dyer. Police posted an image of the suspect from the store’s security camera on the Sanford Police Department Facebook page. The store was closed for a period Monday night.
No parks after dark: The City Council has approved an amendment to the city ordinances to prohibit loitering in parks and cemeteries or on school property between sunset and sunrise. The original proposal had the amendment worded “from dusk to dawn” but it was changed because “sunset” and “sunrise” are astrological terms that have specific times each day, and those times are easy to look up on any weather app. The Council may grant exceptions for park utilization after hours, and the School Department can do so for school properties. The amendment does not prohibit people from parking on the street next to a park or walking through parks at night.
Needle exchange out: The City Council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Maine Access Points (MAP), which has run the needle exchange program in Sanford for several years. The MOU requires MAP to cease distributing needles and drug paraphernalia in Sanford by Dec. 5. The organization’s storefront on Main Street will close and the collection bin will be removed. MAP will return to using a mobile van to provide services including counseling and medical assistance to clients with substance use disorder, and the city will be kept updated on those activities.
Sweetser recognized by Maine DHHS: Sweetser received special recognition last month at the Maine DHHS Annual Forum for their leadership with Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC). DHHS Deputy Director Olivia Alford presented the Sweetser team with the recognition, highlighting the accessibility of their Hope & Healing Centers (walk-in clinics), including the resource room at their Brunswick center and the opening of their Lewiston center. Sweetser is championing the walk-in care model, which significantly reduces barriers to accessing mental health and recovery treatment.
An inside look at law and order: The York County Sheriff’s Office is hosting its second annual Citizens Police Academy beginning on Thursday, Jan. 8. The 9-week class will be held every Thursday, 5:30 – 8:30 pm, at the new York County Regional First Responder Training Center, 79 First County Way in Alfred. Graduation will be held on March 6 during the York County Sheriff’s Office annual awards banquet. Participants, limited to 25, will have an opportunity to learn about crime scene processing, fingerprinting, patrol operations and tactics, K9 operations, and more. The application deadline is Jan. 1. FMI, email Deputy Matthew Cummer at mtcummer@yorkcountymaine.gov.
Find food assistance near where you live: People who need help finding low-cost and free food can visit a new online resource guide developed by Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The Maine Food Access Map identifies food pantries, meal sites, WIC clinics and vendors, SNAP vendors, gardens and orchards, college student resources and Department of Health and Human Services offices. FMI, visit here.
Santa’s mailbox awaits young letter writers at Springvale Library, but don’t delay. The mailbox will be picked up on Monday, Dec. 8.
Photo: Springvale Library
Dear Santa: Springvale Library announced on Nov. 28 that Santa has dropped off a mailbox for young children to mail letters to him. Santa even writes back! The library has letters for children to fill out at the Children’s Room desk. The elves are scheduled to pick up the mailbox on Monday, Dec. 8. Be sure to mail the letters at the library before then so they reach the North Pole in time.
Santa will take a quick break from responding to the letters so he and Mrs. Claus can return to the library on Sunday, Dec. 14, for photo ops with Sanford and Springvale families. Be sure to catch them at the library 9 – 11 am for a photo.
Gotta be Frank joins Chamber: The Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce welcomed Gotta Be Frank to its membership with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, as well as celebrated its new regular location in Sanford across the street from Goodall Park. The food truck offers hand-crafted smashburgers, grilled hotdogs, grilled chicken sandwiches, marinated steak tip subs, fries, onion rings and more, including specials.
Owners Margie and Tom Genereux have combined food service experience for over 25 years. They opened as a food truck in 2018. They are a well-known staple in Sanford and are excited to have a more regular presence with their 31 Roberts St. location. They continue to travel to different events and festivals and will be at the Sanford Mainers games next season as well as at Congdon’s After Dark in Wells for their eighth season during the summer. They are also available for catering. Visit their website to find dates and locations week-to-week.
Share some Christmoose spirit: Join the Sanford Mainers on Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 am – 2 pm, at their front office and storefront at 917 Main St. – Suite C, for professional photos with Broose and Boomer, as well as hot chocolate, treats and more. Santa will also be there to join the fun. Any in-store purchases made that day will receive a 10% discount.
Honoring those who served: Rolling Thunder Maine, Chapter 1, is inviting the public to participate in Wreaths Across America at the Southern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery, 83 Stanley Road in Springvale. The event is scheduled to begin at noon on Saturday, Dec. 13. Parking is limited. A free shuttle will be available for transportation from Sanford Middle School beginning at 10 am. Remember to leave all pets at home for this event.
Add some mingle to your jingle: Springvale Library’s annual Holiday Tea is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11, 11 am – 3 pm, in the Williams Reading Room. Join members of the library staff and Board of Trustees to celebrate the holidays with some warm tea, hot cocoa and delicious cookies. There is a sign-up sheet at the main desk for anyone who would like to donate cookies for the event.
One love, one heart, for Jamaica: Richie’s Jerk & BBQ is holding a fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 20, to benefit families in Jamaica. An evening of music, dancing, food and fun will be held at Village by the Sea, 1373 Post Road in Wells, 5 – 10 pm. The fundraiser aims to help victims of Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in Jamaica on Oct. 28 as a Category 5 storm, devastating the southern and western parts of the island. Tickets for the all-you-can-eat fundraiser are $40 per person and must be purchased in advance. Get tickets here.
Play time for toddlers: Sanford Parks and Recreation offers Toddle Time for toddlers, ages 4 and under, on Tuesdays, 10 – 11 am or 5:30 – 6:30 pm, at Memorial Gym. The program, which runs through April 14, offers a spacious area for kids to run around, have fun, and expend some energy playing with stepping stones, a play kitchen, a mini slide, push toys and more. Parents/guardians must stay to play and supervise their children. Use Door #6 of Memorial Gym for this program – Cafeteria entry. No registration is required. The cost is $2 per child for each one-hour session. If there is no school on a given day, the program will not be held.
Janet Gallaher retires from the Sanford Regional Communications Center after more than 24 years of service.
Photo: Sanford Regional Communications Center
Ready to start the next chapter: After more than 24 years of service, Janet Gallaher has retired from the Sanford Regional Communications Center. In a recent social media post, the center commended Gallaher for her dedication to 911 dispatching. Throughout her career, Gallaher has “helped save more lives than we could ever count,” the post reads. “Beyond her time on the radio, she’s shaped a generation of dispatchers, sharing her experience, humor, and unique teaching style — including her unforgettable jingles for police 10-codes that will live on in our center for years to come.”
This may be the new #1 on your “My Favorite Things” list: The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein, “The Sound of Music,” is being performed at Nasson Community Center & Little Theatre this weekend and next. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, includes many cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi” and the title number. Six shows are scheduled for Dec, 5, 6, 12 and 13. Purchase tickets here.
Making children’s Christmas wishes come true: It Takes a Village 207 is again sponsoring their Christmas program, for the fifth year, by making available wish lists to help provide gifts to local children. The wish lists include one or two items from each child’s list that will be added to what each child’s sponsor purchases. To participate, select items on the following Amazon and Walmart wish lists, separated by category: Amazon (ages 0 – 12), Amazon (ages 13 – 17), Amazon (“Santa” items $30+), and Walmart (all ages). Items purchased are shipped directly to ITAV. To sponsor a child directly, email itav207@yahoo.com.
Who will go the distance? Sanford Elks Lodge 1470 and Top Dollar Pawn are hosting a live pro wrestling show at 13 Elm St. in Sanford on Friday, Dec. 19, as a fundraiser for Grahamtastic Connection. In addition to seeing the matches, attendees can meet WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas. Doors open at 6:30 pm with matches beginning at 7 pm. A portion of all ticket sales and a 50/50 raffle will support Grahamtastic Connection. Purchase advance tickets at Top Dollar Pawn, 1204 Main St. in Sanford, $15 for front row seats or $12 for general admission. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $3 more.
Two gifting opportunities for those in need: Sweetser is sponsoring a Holiday Gift Program this year. The organization points out that the holidays can be challenging for children in their crisis and residential programs. For many, the gifts received through this program are the only ones they’ll open all season. Sweetser has set up an Amazon registry for those who want to be a Secret Santa for these children. Shop the Amazon Registry, select a wish list gift, and check out. It’s that easy. The deadline to purchase gifts is Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Marc Motors Nissan is holding its annual Stuff the Truck Toy Drive again. Partnering with the Sanford Salvation Army, they are collecting new, unwrapped toys for children ages 0 – 18. The deadline to donate gifts is Thursday, Dec. 18. Drop off toy donations at 1744 Main St. in Sanford.
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