News Notes

This past week, the Sanford Police Department congratulated two of its longtime employees on their retirements. Officer Matt Johns served 23 years with the Department as a patrol officer and detective. Officer Chris Cyr also served as a patrol officer and detective during his 31 years on the Sanford force, and was one of the first bicycle officers as well. The Department also welcomed its newest officer, Gary Cray. Officer Cray is a Sanford native and US Army veteran. He will begin his Law Enforcement Preservice this week. After he graduates, he will start the Patrol Training Program here in Sanford. He will then be sent to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in the late summer to complete his 4.5 months of training for his full accreditation.

The Sanford-Springvale YMCA’s Winter session kicks off this week with a whole host of fun programs, including swimming lessons for kids age 6 months and up, Aqua Fit and Hydro Fit for age 16 to adults, Kung Fu Kids, tumbling for ages 5 to 11, yoga, pilates and much more. Child care is available. View the full program guide here. Scholarships are available for memberships and program fees, so if you haven’t taken advantage of the Y before because you thought you couldn’t afford it, contact them at 324-4942 to see if you qualify.

Partners Bank donated $10,000 to the food pantry at York County Shelter Programs last month. Thanks to generous donations like that, and the volunteers that help out, the YCSP Food Pantry was able to distribute more than 10,000 boxes of food in the past year. Each box provides four meals. They also gave out over 5,000 meals through their free lunch program in Sanford. The YCSP van is in the parking lot next to Roger’s Supa Dolla every Tuesday and Thursday, from noon to 1:00 p.m. In 2021, dozens of people found refuge at YCSP’s family shelter in Sanford and their adult shelter in Alfred, and they helped many people with substance abuse issues at their residential treatment center, Layman Way.

The Sanford Mainers announced this week that Matt Scalzo has been named Director of Broadcasting & Media for the 2022 season. Mr. Scalzo, a Ridgefield, Connecticut native, is currently a sophomore at Pennsylvania State University, where he is a part of CommRadio, Penn State’s premier student-run radio station, as a play-by-play broadcaster. He has called baseball, football, basketball, hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, soccer and softball. “I am honored to be chosen as the voice of the Mainers for the 2022 season,” he said. “I am excited about the opportunity and I can’t wait to get up to Sanford and begin connecting with the amazing community.”

The Springvale Fish and Game Club has announced its Annual Mousam Lake Ice Fishing Derby is set for January 30 from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration at Beadle’s Bait and Tackle and Lakeside Marina, Route 109, Shapleigh, and at the Acton Trading Post, Route 109, Acton. Entry Fee is $20 for adults and $10 for children. Set up will be at the foot of the lake. Over $2,000.00 in cash and prizes will be awarded. Hopefully the weather will get colder and give us some nice thick ice.

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